The Academies of Loudoun (ACL) is a magnet school in Leesburg, Virginia. It is part of Loudoun County Public Schools. It houses three schools with a focus on STEM education, The Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET), The Academy of Science (AOS), and the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA).[2][3] Students enrolled in the Academies of Loudoun attend the Academies every other school day, spending the remaining days at their non-magnet high school, determined by attendance zones. The Academies has an acceptance rate of 1.5%, making it one of the most competitive high school programs in the country. Academies offers a 4 year program, but also has a three, or two year program. AET has three pathways, Engineering, IT, or Entrepreneurship; Engineering and IT have a four year class plan, though Entrepreneurship has a two year plan, where you can then switch to a two year plan of either Engineering or IT. AET has you take three classes, Integrated Science, Integrated Math, and the class for the pathway chosen in no particular order. Integrated science covers both chemistry and physics, but not biology. Classes mostly work together with assignments to be related to your pathway. AOS has a four year plan that can not be changed and also has three classes. MATA has one class which is specialized to one of many single choices. All students share all of their classes with a group of the same students for the entire year or possibly all years depending on circumstance. The Academies has an advisory class once per month that is after lunch. It is located on a 119-acre wooded campus, and cost $125 million.[4][3]
| Academies of Loudoun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
42075 Loudoun Academy Dr , 20175 | |
| Coordinates | 39°02′33″N 77°33′01″W / 39.042637°N 77.550348°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Magnet school |
| Motto | Explore, Research, Collaborate, Innovate |
| Founded | 2018 |
| School district | Loudoun County Public Schools |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 2,156[1] (2022-23) |
| Color(s) | Blue, Green, and Teal |
| Mascot | Raptor |
| Website | www.lcps.org/o/acl |
History
editThe Academies of Loudoun opened in the 2018–2019 school year. This brought the three pre-existing schools under the same roof. The Academy of Science was relocated from Dominion High School, the Academy of Engineering and Technology was relocated from Tuscarora High School (Virginia),[5] and the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy was rebranded from the C. S. Monroe Technology Center, known as Monroe Tech, and relocated from its building in Leesburg.[6]
2024 fire
editOn September 17, 2024, a fire sparked in the welding workshop at the Academies of Loudoun. Fire-rescue crews were called at approximately 1 pm when a pull-station was activated. The school resource officer also reported heavy smoke coming from the boiler room. The fire was determined to be located towards the rear of the building, inside of the welding classroom’s fume extraction system. It took about an hour to fully extinguish the fire. All students were evacuated safely. One firefighter and an adult civilian sustained minor injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. There were no other injuries reported. The fire caused an estimated $1 million in damages. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s office determined the fire to be accidental.[7] The Academies of Loudoun was temporarily closed the next day, and the ACL annual fall plant sale is currently postponed until the building is reopened.[8]
Admissions Controversy
editIn 2019, the Loudoun NAACP filed a complaint that alleged African American students were denied opportunity to attend the Academies of Loudoun, based on their racial background. The Attorney General's office subsequently launched an investigation, and Virginia officials found that the Academies of Loudoun's admissions policies prevented qualified black and Hispanic students from being accepted. The Academies of Loudoun has since reviewed and modified their admission policies.[9]
Activities
editRobotics Team
editACL RoboLoCo, the Academies' robotics team, participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition annually. In 2022, and 2023, they qualified for the FIRST Championship, colloquially known as "Worlds".[10]
References
edit- ^ "2022-2023 School Profile - ACL" (PDF). Loudoun County Public Schools. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Nadler, Danielle (2017-03-06). "Academies of Loudoun Takes Shape". LoudounNow.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ a b "Academies of Loudoun Opens in Leesburg". Loudoun County Economic Development, VA. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ Truong, Debbie (2018-09-17). "Loudoun now has an elite science and technology academy of its own". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ Balingit, Moriah (2023-04-11). "Academies of Loudoun will take collaborative approach to STEM education". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ Collazo, Veronike (2018-09-13). "Loudoun County Public Schools changes course on Monroe Tech plans". Loudoun Times-Mirror. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ Gustin, Alexis. "Damage from Academies Fire Estimated at $1M". LoudounNow. LoudounNow. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Academies of Loudoun Live Feed". Loudoun County Public Schools. Academies of Loudoun. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Natanson, Hannah (2020-11-20). "Virginia AG's office finds elite Loudoun STEM school discriminates against Black, Hispanic students". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Academies of Loudoun robotics team qualifies for world championship". INSIDENOVA.COM. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-11-06.