Academies of Hampton announces two additional named academy/pathway

At the School Board meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Veronica Hurd, director of the Academies of Hampton, announced the Virginia Ship Repair Association Maritime Named Academy Partner and the Hampton Police Department Law Enforcement Academy of Law and Public Safety Pathway Partner. Both partners have committed to contributing $200,000 of in-kind contributions over the next three years of their partnership to create experiences for students and educators while strengthening their pathways to industry outcomes.

To celebrate their partnership, Chief of Secondary School Leadership Shameka Pollard presented both organizations with a named partnership plaque. Development and Program Manager Joe Frommelt of Virginia Ship Repair Association and Hampton Police Chief Jimmie Wideman as well as members of his staff and City Manager Mary Bunting were present to accept the plaques. 

Frommelt shared, “Thank you for the opportunity. On a personal level, this is my position of giving back to the community. The goal of this shared partnership is to bring the industry of shipbuilding and ship repair into the high schools and, ultimately, K-12, to feed that industry. To be a part of that process, I appreciate the opportunity.”

Wideman said, “We thank you. This was natural for us because we already have such an amazing partnership and relationship with Hampton City Schools and our community. This was just the next logical step not only to benefit us as an organization to enhance that partnership but to bring the opportunity and good sound support to the young folk.”

If you are an organization interested in partnering with the academies or strengthening your partnership, please contact the division’s business partner integration specialist, Erica Spencer, at espencer@hampton.k12.va.us.

Virginia Ship Repair Association Maritime Academy (VSRA-MA) is a specialized program designed to expose students to a wide range of careers in the maritime industry and to prepare them for 21st-century careers in the industry. Through a combination of academic and technical courses and access to state-of-the-art technology and simulation equipment, students are exposed to the industry, and they gain the knowledge, skills, and competence they need for the workforce. Whether a student chooses the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair, Ship Design, or Construction Technology pathway, they are prepared for successful transition to postsecondary education, careers, and registered apprenticeship opportunities in ship design and shipbuilding and ship repair. 

Academy of Law and Public Safety Academy (ALPS) is for students interested in law, criminal justice, forensic science, law enforcement, and emergency medical and fire services. The academy provides academic and technical courses and access to state-of-the-art technology as it prepares students for professions that ensure the safety, security, and wellness of the community. Through hands-on time in the field with the Hampton Police Division’s K-9 officers and their partners, using 9-1-1 dispatch technology, hostage negotiation training, defending a client or prosecuting cases in a courtroom, CPR training, and learning to triage accidents, students’ experiences prepare them for high-demand careers in law and public safety. The Law and Legal Studies, Law Enforcement, and FireFighter/EMT pathways help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and professional ethics needed to meet career goals right out of high school or successfully transition to postsecondary education and training programs.

The law enforcement pathway curriculum and enrichment learning programs offer training in planning, managing, and providing professional and technical support services in legal, public safety, protective services, and homeland security.