Hampton City Schools

6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 of a Hampton Graduate,’ Hampton City Schools has outlined a specific set of skills that students should acquire in order to be college, career and life ready. “I think that we have to look at making the necessary adjustments and adaptations as the world changes,” he acknowledges. “Things are different from 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Being on top of that and making certain we’re getting insight from educators coming into the profession new, as well as the student voice, will drive our work for many years to come.” Academies of Hampton The Academies of Hampton, a transformative endeavor, featuring 16 unique academies and 44 pathways, exemplifies the school’s commitment to STEM education, emphasizing hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary connections, and partnerships with over 200 local industries. “Folks are choosing to come to Hampton based on the innovative things we’re doing around the Academies of Hampton, and the choice programs we have at the elementary and middle school levels as well,” notes Goral. Through these academies, Hampton City Schools offer a diverse range of strands, ensuring that each of its four high schools provide opportunities in engineering and technology, business, creative studies, and public service. From there, students have a variety of real world opportunities, based on their own area of interest. Goral elaborates, “At our Academy of Law and Public Safety, we have a full courtroom with jury deliberation rooms in the back, in the middle of our high school. We have a full working maritime at another high school space, we have a bank, we have a black box theater, we have a simulator for a police car, and our Governor’s Health Science Academy have top notch equipment.” She emphasizes the importance of the continued support from the city, both financially and as ambassadors for the school system’s work. Superintendent Haynes remarks, “We’re looking at this through the equity lens too. If a young person wants to go to a school that they’re not zoned for, we provide that transportation to them to ensure they are able to participate