Chantilly Academy opened the new school year with approximately 1,200 juniors and seniors from 18 high schools. According to John Wittmann, Academy Administrator, the increase in enrollment could be attributed to the popularity of the programs offered.
"We have increased approximately 100 students per year since the Academy officially opened in 1997," said Wittmann. "Our maximum student enrollment would be approximately 1,400 students".
One of the newest programs to be offered full time this year is the Air Force JROTC. "It is the only JROTC program that is designed on the Academy model for juniors and seniors. The instructors are Major Sheila Allen and Tech Sergeant John Wilks. They are looking forward to continuing the successful foundation program they started last spring. Students have the opportunity to explore military careers and receive free Air Force cadet uniforms. The formal curriculum is comprised of Aerospace Science and Leadership where they learn about the history of flight and military aerospace policies, flight navigational principles and requirements for human flight. Students also have the opportunity to compete for scholarships reserved for JROTC cadets. These scholarships pay most tuition costs for up to four years, plus books and fees at more than 900 colleges and universities. Enrollment in the Air Force JROTC is approximately 90 students for this year.
Chantilly Academy's Criminal Justice program was highlighted in the September issue of the Association for Career and Technical Education's "Techniques" magazine. The two full-time instructors, Steve Kerr and Ron Keaton, developed the Criminal Justice program so successfully that a new Criminal Justice program was opened at Marshall Academy this year. Criminal Justice students will participate in many field trips to places such as the FBI Academy, Fairfax County Police Academy, penal institutions, defensive driving track, and police firing range. Students will hear from guest speakers from the ATF, FBI, DEA, Sheriff's department, Park Police and Fairfax County Police Department. All these activities are to give students the opportunities to explore careers in the law enforcement field.
Chantilly Academy also welcomes Jennifer Jones as a staff member. Ms. Jones is a graduate of Fairfax County Public Schools' Hotel Management program and a Culinary Arts graduate of Johnson and Wales University. She worked as a Sous Chef in South Carolina before coming to Chantilly Academy.
The BioInformatics unit will continue to be developed in the Medical Health Technologies II program. We will continue to explore articulation with James Madison University's BioTech division.
Beth Berger, Career Experience Specialist, has planned many career experiences for Academy students this year. Students have the opportunities to participate in activities such as: The Construction Tech Expo at NVCC-Woodbridge campus; Tech Talk 2002 Career Day; Fairfax County Department of Motor Vehicles Internship program; Open House at George Mason University's College of Information Technology & Engineering; National Association of Partners in Education's Global Summit; and National Groundhog Shadow Day in Information Technology. These activities are designed to give students exposure to many different types of careers.
We look forward to an exciting year and continued excellence for students at Chantilly Academy.
— John Wittmann, Chantilly Academy Administrator