Pillar Two:
Distinguishing Signature Programming
In addition to providing an excellent education, HRA must also provide a distinctive one that offers advantages no other area school can match. We can provide exceptional opportunities for students to apply classroom knowledge to the real world, build leadership skills and experience, deepen and extend their expertise, prepare them for college and career, and—as the school for the Virginia Peninsula—give back to our local community.
I. Leadership Programming + Opportunities
A. Increase opportunities for all students to partner with local nonprofits by serving on youth boards and engaging in the work of local organizations
B. Develop a leadership program in partnership with one or more local universities and/or research laboratories to teach students to become ethical leaders, followers, and citizens, as well as critical thinkers about leadership
C. Create specifically leadership-oriented internships with different areas of focus—including entrepreneurial leadership, medical/STEM leadership, and civic leadership—through these partnerships
II. External Partnerships + Internships
A. Expand community partnerships by leveraging the success of the current science internships with doctors and research labs to build out these programs into other departments
B. Engage students in applying math skills and financial literacy across each division by building on the work of the math department’s partnerships with local businesses, starting with the bank partnership in Lower School, progressing through shadow days and short internships in Middle School, and extending to internships combined with AP courses in Upper School
C. Expand connections between HRA and arts programs at local colleges and universities by creating more opportunities for college arts faculty to work with HRA students
D. Strengthen relationships with existing REACH partners including Langley, Jefferson Labs, NASA, and the military
III. AI Literacy + Leadership
A. Prepare HRA students to lead responsibly in an increasingly AI-driven world
B. Empower faculty members to incorporate AI as a learning tool (while emphasizing critical thinking and academic integrity) through professional development
C. Partner with regional technology, engineering, and research organizations to provide authentic learning experiences
