Virginia High School Doubles Applications in First Year

Imagine taking college-level Python programming as a ninth grader while earning both high school and college credit at the same time. That's exactly what 37 students are doing at George Mason University's ACCESS Academy, and hundreds more want in.

The Accelerated College and Employability Skills Academy just wrapped its first year with results that exceeded expectations. Applications for next year's incoming class jumped to 387, nearly double the 193 from the previous cycle. With only 30 seats available, the program has become one of the most competitive in the region.

The inaugural ninth grade class maintained an impressive 3.72 GPA while juggling advanced technical courses alongside their regular high school work. These aren't watered-down classes either. Students are taking actual college courses through Northern Virginia Community College, starting with Python programming that prepares them for careers in software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science.

Teacher Matt Wax says the students have surprised him in the best way possible. "It's been encouraging to see students who are doing well step up to help classmates who are struggling," he explained. That peer support system emerged naturally as ninth graders adjusted to college-level expectations.

The learning extends far beyond the classroom. Last fall, 31 ACCESS students attended the BSidesNoVA Cyber Security Conference, sitting alongside professionals to learn about ethical hacking and digital threats. Thirty students also competed in Virginia CyberSlam 2026, applying cybersecurity concepts in simulated threat scenarios.

Why This Inspires

What makes ACCESS different is that it's completely free. Students from all backgrounds and ability levels can access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. No expensive summer camps, no private tutors, just motivated kids getting a head start on their futures.

The program uses problem-based learning instead of traditional lectures. Students tackle real-world challenges that require research, collaboration, and creative thinking. This approach has caught the attention of educators statewide, and faculty will present the ACCESS curriculum framework at Old Dominion University's upcoming Innovation Summit.

Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of George Mason's College of Education and Human Development, designed the program with a clear vision. "What we're seeing with ACCESS Academy is early evidence of what becomes possible when we design learning as a connected pathway rather than a series of disconnected experiences," she said.

For students looking for something different from traditional schooling, ACCESS offers an accelerated route that connects directly to careers. The doubling of applications suggests families are hungry for educational models that prepare students for real opportunities while still in high school.

These 30 ninth graders are proving that young students can handle more than we typically ask of them.