The Edison Academy is one of five academies in the Fairfax County Public School system. It is located at Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. The Edison Academy offers advanced, technical and specialized courses that primarily focus on career fields in the curriculum cluster of International Studies, Business, Engineering or Scientific Technology. More About Us.

Cosmetology Earns 100% Pass Rate
For the third year in a row, ALL of Ms. Bayati's Level II Cosmetology students earned a 100 % pass rate on the Virginia Cosmetology Exam! A total of 16 students passed this difficult state licensure test that includes both theory and a practical demonstration for examiners.

This amazing accomplishment has been achieved through the hard work, determination, and sound instructional practices of Ms. Bayati and our support teachers, Maggie Devine and Kathy Rineer.

Congratulations to our cosmetology students and instructors on a job well-done!

Auto Collision Students Honored
Edison Academy students were honored at the Fairfax County Division of Vehicle Services Intern Awards Ceremony that was held at the Fairfax County Government Center on May 22.  Both students have completed two years of course work in Auto Collision Services at Edison Academy as students of Mr. Craig Troup,  and they  worked as interns at the county's  Newington Vehicle Service Center.

 

Chef Stowers Named New Teacher of the Year
At yesterday's meeting of Fairfax County's Family and Consumer Science Teachers, Chef Cynthia Stowers, was named "New Teacher Of The Year" by that organization.

Chef Stowers was selected for this honor based on the energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism that she has brought to the Culinary Arts program at Edison Academy. Now in her second year of teaching, Chef Stowers has nurtured her students' love for food in many innovative ways which include: Encouraging them to cook new types of foods; test successfully for NOCTI, CareerSafe, and ServeSafe; attend workshops, job shadow experiences and field trips regularly; participate and earn top state and district honors in SkillsUSA events; and operate a full service café.

Congratualtions Chef Stowers on a great honor! You certainly deserve it!

 

Academy Students Earn Honors at SkillsUSA State Competition
Several Edison Academy students took top honors at the Virginia SkillsUSA state conference in Hampton, VA last weekend, and Edison Academy students Hai Pham and Karen Carvajal Mayta were elected to SkillsUSA state office.

Student winners included:
• Traci Jennings of Edison Academy, first place in Cosmetology PS.
• Elizabeth Aguilar, Stephanie Fry, David Ortega, and Nathaniel Toepke of Edison Academy, first place in Entrepreneurship.
• Ana Yildirim of Edison Academy, first place in Food Preparation Assistant.
• Thuy Giang Dinh of Edison Academy, first place in Job Interview PS.
• Kelsey Hart of Edison Academy, first place in Job Skill Demonstration–Open.
• Christopher Graciano and Lukasz Sadowski of Edison Academy, first place in Occupational Display.

Edison Academy also had several students who were top ten ten finishers in several competitions: Phuongtrinh Nguyen, Hai Pham, and Jessica Caceres Alvarez in Cosmetology Technical Exam; Maynard Benjamin and Christina Mergens in Culinary Arts Technical Exam; Edward Pfundstein in Action Skills; Kristen Nguyen and Vannda Vann in Club Scrapbook—Multiple Section; Madeline Huggins, Kristen Nguyen, Truc Thi Tran, and Vannda Vann in Entrepreneurship; Dale Armstrong and Joanna Collins in Web Page Design; Sebastian Babic in Residential Wiring; Melana Jackson, Phuongtrinh Nguyen and Natalie Weathers-Austin in Community Service; Michael Snowden in Computer Maintenance Technology; Syed Gelani in Technical Computer Applications; Metiku Geresu in Industrial Motor Control; Mark Garcia and Marvin Marenco in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Refrigeration; Arnold Angjeli, Dinese Jackson, Tikeesia Minick, Marelen Tesalona, and Kelton Williams in Quiz Bowl; and Loren Hanson in Related Technical Math.
Congratulations to these students and their faculty sponsors for their efforts!

 

McCormick and Schmick Culinary Experience
Edison Academy's 2nd year Culinary students visited McCormick and Schmick in Mclean VA for an exciting career experience on Thursday April 24, 2008. Arriving earlier than their usual school day, students worked along side the McCormick and Schmick chefs, hosts, and servers; checking in shipments, preparing product, seating customers, and cooking on the line through the lunch time rush. Students were rewarded for their day's work with free lunch, gift certificates, and a cookbook, courtesy of the McCormick and Schmick Company.

 

Partners in Education
On April 16th The Edison High School Academy and Management Team of Belle Haven Country Club signed an official FCPS Partners in Education partnership agreement. Students from Hospitality Management, Culinary, HVAC-R, and Landscape Design and Turf Management, and honored guests from the FCPS Administrative team and Edison High School attended the signing ceremony, which was followed by a behind the scenes tour of the Country Club's facilities. Students from Edison Academy's Career and Technical Education programs will be job shadowing and interning with staff members of the Country Club as part of this partnership agreement.

 

SkillsUSA District 5 HVAC Competition Results
1st place            Marvin Menico - Mount Vernon - 144 pts
2nd place           Mark Garcia – Edison - 126 pts
4th place            John Buffington – West Potomac - 95 pts
Congratulations to all who participated!

Bistro 1093 - Academy Cafe
The Bistro will be open on Wednesdays at either 11:15am or 11:45am on Dec 5th & 12th and Jan 9th, 16th & 30th. You may enjoy a three course luncheon in the Academy dining room for only $8.00.  The three course lunch includes iced tea and coffee.  Edison Academy Culinary Arts students, under the direction of Chef Cynthia Stowers, prepare and serve an outstanding gourmet lunch in our renovated dining facility.

If you are interested in joining us for lunch, please make a reservation for either the 11:15 or 11:45 seating by contacting Mr Dwannal McGahee, Academy Hospitality Management Instructor,  at 703-924-8127.  Reservations for the Wednesday luncheon must be made by 12noon on the Monday before the Wednesday you wish to attend.

Note: In the event of a two-hour delay or school closing on Wednesdays, Bistro 1093 will not be open for lunch. We will resume lunch service on the following day. You will be contacted to determine if you would like to keep your reservation for the following day. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to re-schedule your dining experience for a different date, please contact Mr. Dwannal McGahee, Hospitality Management Instructor, at 703-924 8127 or you may email him at dwannal.mcgahee@fcps.edu

Edison Wins Grants
Edison won two $1000 grants from Tyson's Corner Center for community service projects. Cosmetology is serving special needs populations from The Key Center and educating others about working with special needs clients. HVAC is educating young people about the dangers of CO2 poisoning. These events are going on throughout the winter.

 

Congratulations Interns
Edison had four interns placed with the FCPS Department of Information Technology. Seth P. and Kyle G. were placed in special Network Operations internships, and Angie P. and Sean K. were placed with the regular internship program with Technology Consulting and assessment and Technology Support Services.

Bryan C., Jason G., and Louis C. from Automotive Technology and Auto Body and Collision Services were placed with the Fairfax County Government Department of Vehicle Services for internships in auto body repair and parts department, as well as for assistant mechanics positions for fire engine and car maintenance and repairs.

Josh R. was placed at Mt Vernon estate from Construction technology for a carpentry and wood preservation internship with the Estate's Master Carpenter, joining two other Edison students ,Meticu J. and Nabil A., interning there in Electrical Engineering and Auto and engine maintenance with the Estate's Department of operations and maintenance.

Academy Alumni Day
Edison Academy celebrated its 2nd Annual Alumni Day with a luncheon and an afternoon panel of Alumni who spoke to level II classes about life after high school; the demands of work and college and the future rewards of hard work and having the right attitude while still in high school. Students gained insight into managing their credit, their time, and maintaining a work-life balance to achieve personal and professional goals.

Alumni Guest speakers were graduatees of Edison's Landscape Design, Culinary, Cosmetology, Information Technology, Electrical Trades, and Automotive programs, many of whom are using the skills they acquired in high school to pursue careers or to work to finance their college educations or advanced training.

Students Raise Awareness of the Dangers of CO Poisoning
Fairfax County students attending the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning class at Edison Academy in Alexandria, Virginia are reaching out to their community to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  In June Mr. Robert Stringham, the HVAC teacher, received a grant for $10,000 through a partnership between Lowe’s Corporation and SkillsUSA, for the purpose of informing the community of the dangers of CO poisoning and to distribute CO detectors to those in need. You can see a video about the project here.

On Saturday, October 27th, students were at Lowe’s in Woodbridge, VA for a check presentation ceremony. Students conducted four workshops to inform Lowe’s customers of the dangers of CO poisoning from household appliances and generators.  Students also demonstrated how to properly install a CO detector and distributed CO detectors to the first 100 people attending the workshops. Carbon Monoxide kills at least 500 people every year and sends 50,000 more to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.

Landscaping Course Featured on School Scene
Edison Academy’s Landscaping program, under the leadership of instructor Brice Boyd, was featured in SchoolScene #19 which aired on Red Apple 21 June 25 – July 8. You can see the full video here. The complete FCPS Video Gallery can be found here.

 

HVAC Program Receives Grant
Edison Academy’s HVACR program, under the leadership of instructor Rob Stringham, has been awarded a $10,000 Community Service Grant from Lowe’s Companies for their project to promote awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning and to distribute detectors through educational workshops. Only 10 schools nationwide are receiving grants at this time.

Cosmetology/Key Center Partnership
The Academy Cosmetology program has a great partnership with the Key Center which allows students to interact benefiting both schools. Watch the video.

 

 

 

Edison Academy Earns Accreditation With Honors for HVAC Program
Edison Academy, one of five high school academies in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), has earned accreditation with honors for its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) program from HVAC Excellence. Edison Academy is a center, within Edison High School, that offers advanced technical and specialized courses integrating career and academic subjects.

The Edison program is the first secondary school program in Virginia to be granted accreditation by HVAC Excellence. Edison Academy applied for accreditation—third party validation—to help other educational institutions determine the acceptability of transfer credits, to create goals for self-improvement and stimulating programs to achieve the highest standards, and to increase public awareness of the program.

Edison Academy administrators and faculty members completed a self-study to compare the academy program to national standards in curriculum, faculty, training facilities, equipment and safety, student facilities, placement services, and financial aid. An on-site inspection was held, as well as interviews with academy and program employees. The final report included commendations for the HVAC program instructor Robert Stringham.

HVAC Excellence is a not-for-profit organization that reviews HVAC programs seeking accreditation; offers student assessments; certifies instructors; and awards employment-ready professional-level technician, and master specialist technician certifications.

The Edison Academy is one of five academies in the Fairfax County Public School system. It is located at Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. The Edison Academy offers advanced, technical and specialized courses that primarily focus on career fields in the curriculum cluster of International Studies, Business, Engineering or Scientific Technology. Most classes are a year long. Most programs will prepare students to earn national certifications of proficiency in their career related studies. Academy programs will emphasize career experiences with Springfield and Alexandria based businesses. Students take four classes at their home school and earn two or three credits at the Academy. Three sessions are taught each day, AM classes, Midday classes and PM classes.

The Academy is strategically located in Alexandria, Virginia, a short drive from the major business centers of metropolitan Washington D.C. Our students have advanced academic knowledge and are working toward advanced competency levels in their academic coursework. The Academy offers the local business community a unique opportunity to become involved in the process of educating students to meet the industry needs of our workforce.

Registration will start in February!

Enrollment applications are completed by the home school counselor during registration in February. Admission is dependent upon completion of the appropriate application and enrollment guidelines for the selected course. Academy courses are primarily designed for Juniors and Seniors. Students are placed on a waiting list when programs are fully enrolled. The academy has one class available online, Oracle Database Design. For more information go here.

Application Procedure

If you are a student interested in attending Edison Academy you must do the following.  Note all classes are open to rising juniors and seniors.

1.  Discuss your interest in Edison Academy with your base school guidance counselor.  He/She will have details about Academy courses and their fit with your academy plans and future class schedule.

2.  If still interested, complete an Academy application and return it to your guidance counselor during the regular class registration period.  Be sure your transcripts are included with the application.  Your guidance counselor will send the application materials on to Edison Academy at your request.

3.  Students with a serious interest in attending Edison Academy are encouraged to visit the Academy during established visitation days in February and/or March.  There is also an evening Open House program in January 30, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. for interested students and their parents/guardians.  At the Open House, teachers are available to talk about their courses.

4.  The Academy counselor and Academy Admissions Team will review the student’s application, transcript, and other supporting information available, and decide whether to: Accept the student for the desired program, or Place the student on a waiting list for the desired program, or Accept the student for an alternate program because of space limitations or because the student’s qualification does not permit acceptance

Admission Time Schedule

Edison Open House for Students and Parents – January 30, 2008 @ 6:00 p.m.

Application Deadline – March 31, 2008

Verification List to Schools – April 21, 2008

Acceptance List to Schools – May 1, 2008

Counselors schedule appointments for student visits to Edison Academy from January through March.  Please call 703-924-8101 or email Jackie.Thomas@fcps.edu 24-48 hours in advance.

Transportation may be provided within limitations for students attending classes at the Academy at no charge. Students are shuttled from their home schools. Shuttle schedules are arranged for each of the three sessions of classes. Student parking is permitted at Edison Academy when appropriate parking permits have been obtained. Academy Bus Schedule.

Chris Castillo a past student from Oracle - Database Design had this to say about his experience in the class.
" My computer science professors are surprised when I tell them that I have an SQL certification from Oracle. From their experience in teaching, high school students are not taught SQL or even receive an SQL certification. That is left to the upper level college students. I consider myself lucky that I was given the opportunity to take such an important class at such a young age. Very few high schools offer their students Oracle or a similar class. I would have never guessed that taking the Oracle class would make me decide to pursue a career in technology.  I am a Computer Science major at the University of Mary Washington. I am using the skills I learned in the Oracle class and applying them to everyday computer science classes here. Without the Oracle class, I would not feel as confident and be as efficient in any computer science class as I am today."