Future Educators Academy

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Calling Future Educators

picture of Shoaib-Zamani
2024 graduate Shoaib Zamani plans to transfer to Shenandoah University to complete his bachelor’s degree and become a special education teacher.

Future Educators Academy (FEA) is a college partnership lab school that prepares rising high school juniors aspiring to be elementary and special education teachers through dual enrollment using accelerated, hands-on learning.

After obtaining their two-year associate degree from Laurel Ridge, FEA students can transfer to a partner institution and earn their bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure two years after their high school graduation. The College has articulation agreements in place for transfer with local universities and is working on specific agreements for Future Educator Academy students.

Participating School Divisions

  • Clarke County
  • Fauquier County
  • Frederick County
  • Page County
  • Rappahannock County
  • Shenandoah County
  • Warren County
  • Winchester City

Locations

Depending on interest and enrollment, some program locations may be combined to ensure the best possible experience and use of resources.

  • Middletown Campus – 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, Virginia
  • Fauquier Campus – 6480 College Street, Warrenton, Virginia
  • Luray-Page County Center – 200 College Drive, Luray, Virginia

Benefits

No out-of-pocket cost to students

Thanks to generous funding through the College Partnership Laboratory School Fund, students pay nothing out of pocket to obtain an associate degree through FEA , including testing preparation and test fees.

Non-competitive application

  • Selection is determined by lottery for qualified applicants.
  • Commit to teaching for two years in your home division
  • Supporting school divisions are dedicated to offering positions to all successful FEA grads!

Hands-on experience

Practicums, observations, workshops, and other experiential learning prepare students for an exciting and rewarding career in education. Additionally, experienced instructional staff can provide coaching for assessments.

Watch the Presentation

Information Sessions

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a junior during the 2025-2026 academic year at a participating high school.
  • Completed three verified credits by the end of their sophomore year.
  • Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Be in good disciplinary standing with their high school

Laurel Ridge will request high school transcripts to confirm that applicants meet, or are on track to meet, all requirements as part of the application process.

Meet with your high school counselor to discuss your eligibility.

Course Credit Chart

Transfer Agreements

Laurel Ridge Community College students benefit from a wide range of transfer opportunities through our existing Transfer VA agreements. In addition, we have established Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several partner colleges and universities to ensure a smooth and direct transfer process specifically for our Future Educators Academy (FEA) students as they work toward earning their teaching degrees. Additional transfer agreements are currently in development to expand these pathways even further.

  • Mary Baldwin University
  • Mary Washington University
  • Lynchburg University
  • Old Dominion University
  • Shenandoah University

Student Code of Conduct and Notices

FEA Student Code of Conduct

Cell Phone Policy

In compliance with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33, cell phones will be silenced and out of sight. This is to ensure students have a focused learning environment. Upon entering the classroom, students must keep cell phones in their backpacks, or out of sight. Parents needing to reach their child may call the Future Educators Academy Coordinator, and they will ensure the parent and student have communication.

Fentanyl Awareness

Pursuant to HB1473 (2024), “D. Each public high school or secondary school that includes grades nine through 12 shall annually distribute such fentanyl education and awareness informational one-sheet to each student in grades nine through 12 within the first two weeks of the school year.” This form is distributed the first week of classes and may be found here: Fentanyl Awareness One Pager

Senate Bill 656: Sexually Explicit Material

The Virginia General Assembly created model policies concerning instructional materials with sexually explicit content.  In compliance with Senate Bill 656 (SB 656) and amended Virginia code 22.1-16.8, the Future Educators Academy is required to adhere to the following:

  1. Ensure advanced parental/guardian notification of the intended use of any instructional materials with sexually explicit content in their child’s education;
  2. Ensure parents/guardians have the opportunity to inspect and review instructional materials that are identified as including sexually explicit content; and
  3. Ensure parents/guardians have the opportunity to select for their child the option of alternative instructional materials and related academic activities that do not contain sexually explicit content./yout

Governance

Newsletters

How to Apply

Use the below link to complete the Future Educators Academy Application online. Please note that you, your parent(s) / guardian(s), and your high school counselor or career coach must complete the Future Educators Academy Packet first, as you will need to upload that as part of the application process. 

Apply to the Future Educators Academy Program

Questions?

Contact Future Educators Academy at 540-868-7235 or [email protected].