Pathways to Global Citizenship Program
The Pathways to Global Citizenship Program includes five academic pathways and 11 thematically grouped sequences. Academic pathways are intended to ensure that all students have a rigorous academic experience commensurate with their interests and academic goals. Each pathway encourages students to identify and engage with topics of global significance while developing and refining skills in performance, research, critical thinking, evaluation, and synthesis of ideas.
The goals of Pathways To Global Citizenship are to support students in:
- Identifying and engaging with topics of global significance;
- Developing skills in research, critical thinking, evaluation, or synthesis of ideas;
- Exploring academic interests; and
- Encouraging leadership and community involvement.
The Virginia Board of Education provides the list of courses approved to satisfy graduation requirements for the standard and advanced studies diplomas in science. All other PWCS science courses are local electives. Refer to course-specific catalog descriptions for additional information.
The pathways/sequences below are open to all Gainesville High School students. Those denoted as transfer are the only ones available to students not zoned for Gainesville High school. Students interested in participating in a transfer program must follow the Specialty Program application process.
1. Language & Culture Pathway
- Writing and Communication
- Fine and Performing Arts
- World Language and Culture
2. Engineering, Math, & Automation Pathway
- Engineering, Design, and Construction (Transfer Program)
- Coding, Gaming, and Robotics
- Mathematics (Transfer Program)
3. Science, Health, & Medicine Pathway
- Biomedical Sciences (Transfer Program)
- Global Ecology
- Science
4. Social Science & Criminology Pathway
- History and Political Science
- Criminal Justice
5. Independent Studies & Scholarship Pathway
- Business and Marketing
- Health and Wellness
- Interdisciplinary (student proposed)
Program Information
Students participating in this program will transfer to the program location for all courses and activities. Express Bus Transportation is available to accepted students living outside the program location boundaries through Specialty Program Transportation.
Gainesville High School Pathways To Global Citizenship Program Sequencing
Sample course selections are listed below. Each student will draft a plan with their counselor.
1. Language & Culture Pathway
Writing and Communication
Students studying in the Writing and Communication pathway will earn six credits including at least two at the AP level.
Fine and Performing Arts
Students studying in the Fine and Performing Arts pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
- 3D Sculpture
- AP Studio Art 2D
- AP Studio Art 3D Design
- AP Studio Art Drawing
- Art 1 - Basic Foundations
- Art 2
- Art 3
- Art Portfolio
- Art Portfolio Preparation
- Band (any)
- Choir (any)
- Orchestra (any)
- Technical Theatre - Production
- Theatre 1: Introduction to Theatre
- Theatre 3
- Theatre 4: Advanced Theatre
World Language and Culture
Students studying in the World Languages and Culture pathway will earn six credits within their concentration, including at least two at the Advanced Placement level.
- AP African American Studies
- AP Human Geography
- AP Research
- AP Seminar
- AP World History
- All levels of American Sign Language, French, and Spanish
2. Engineering, Math & Automation Pathway
Engineering, Design, and Construction Transfer Program
Students studying in the Engineering, Design, and Construction pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
Coding, Gaming, and Robotics
Students studying in the Coding, Gaming, and Robotics pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
- Advanced Computer Information Systems
- Advanced Design, Multimedia, and Web Technologies
- Advanced Game Design and Development
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science Principles
- Computer Information Systems
- Design, Multimedia and Web Technologies
- Game Design and Development
- Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW)
- Principles of Engineering (PLTW)
Mathematics Transfer Program
Students studying in the Mathematics pathway will earn six credits within their concentration, including at least two at the Advanced Placement level. Students who apply to the Mathematics Pathway should have completed Geometry or Advanced Algebra 1 in middle school.
3. Science, Health, & Medicine Pathway
Biomedical Sciences Transfer Program
Students studying in the Biomedical Sciences pathway will earn four credits within their concentration. Students will be required to study PLTW Biomedical Science coursework in grades 9 and 10.
Global Ecology
Students studying in the Global Ecology pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
Science
Students studying in the Science pathway will earn six credits within their concentration, including at least two at the Advanced Placement level.
4. Social Science & Criminology Pathway
Criminal Justice
Students studying in the Criminal Justice pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
History and Political Science
Students studying in the History and Political Science pathway will earn six credits within their concentration, including at least two at the Advanced Placement level.
5. Independent Studies & Scholarship Pathway
Business and Marketing
Students studying in the Business and Marketing pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.
Health and Wellness Sequence
Students studying in the Health and Wellness pathway will earn four credits within their concentration.