About XLR8

XLR8 Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy is the 16th regional Governor’s STEM Academy offering programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (subjects known collectively as “STEM”) for high school juniors and seniors in Virginia’s Region 2000/Lynchburg regional area.  Located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College, XLR8 offers academic and technical training related to careers in engineering, mechatronics, biotechnology, health science, and cybersecurity.

Vision: The vision of the XLR8 STEM Academy is that all students will graduate with multiple options for success in college and/or post-secondary career opportunities.

Mission: XLR8 every child to graduation through a rigorous, relevant, and innovative curriculum.

 

Eight Guiding Principles of the XLR8 STEM Academy
  1. I will always act with INTEGRITY on projects and assignments.
  2. I understand my studies will require INVESTMENT of my time and talent.
  3. I will use my IMAGINATION to reach goals and expand my thinking.
  4. I will embrace my INTELLIGENCE to thrive as a leader and team player.
  5. I shall seek INNOVATIVE ways to problem solve and support my community.
  6. I understand that everything I learn has a level of IMPORTANCE.
  7. I understand I am an INDIVIDUAL and take responsibility for all of my actions and decisions.
  8. I will find INSPIRATION in my pursuit of knowledge to embrace my own future.

 

XLR8: Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy is located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College in the Framatome Technology Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. 


 

Testimonials

 

This is a great opportunity if the STEM field is something you’re interested in. The college experience is great and the teachers are also great.

Yahir Balderas
Class of 2024

STEM Academy has amazing support systems in the faculty and your peers. Everyone wants you to succeed, but you can’t be afraid to ask for help.

Danielle Caplinger
Class of 2024

The STEM Academy is an excellent starting point for experiencing both college and work life, especially through internships.

Owen Nicely
Class of 2025

The STEM Academy is an excellent place to further your education.

Preston McPhatter
Class of 2025

STEM Academy is a great way to not only get ahead, but to learn more about yourself and who you want to be.

Emily Duncan-Whiteman
Class of 2025

The most meaningful part of  STEM was getting to work with more engineering-based classes and better technologies not offered at my base school. It made it more clear to me that engineering is what I wanted to pursue and was a better learning style for me overall.

Grace Gada
Class of 2020

The engineering, electronics classes were my favorite part of STEM Academy.  It gave me hands-on experience in the field of engineering that I would never get in high school.

Collin Stinnett
Class of 2020

The STEM Academy offers a variety of interests other than strictly engineering and is an excellent way to spend your last two years of high school. The group of students you get in with becomes a second family.

Luke Gaylor
Class of 2024

The STEM Academy provides excellent hands-on learning and has a great facility and staff.

Tammy Hicks
Parent

STEM gives you a lot of opportunities to connect with your classmates and mentors. It is a great program and I would highly recommend it.

Keshav Desai
Class of 2024

I enjoyed the opportunity to meet peers from other schools that were pursuing the same line of work as I was and to collaborate with everyone whether it be one-on-one or group projects.

Juwuan Wright
Class of 2020

Mitch McMahon participated in the STEM Academy his junior and senior years while attending EC Glass. While focusing on engineering at STEM, Mitch became interested in accounting and finance at Virginia Tech. He is a rising senior and currently, he is completing an internship at an accounting/consulting firm in the DC Metro area. 

CPA candidates are required to take 150 semester hours before taking the exams. Therefore most students require an extra semester beyond the traditional 4-year college graduation requirement of 120 semester hours. Because Mitch acquired college credits at the STEM academy, Mitch will graduate in four years with over 150 semester hours. 

Not only did this give him an edge when competing for the summer internship, but he will also graduate next spring and be out in the workforce while reducing tuition costs by eliminating one additional semester. 

Yvonne McMahon
Parent

I’m fully convinced the STEM Academy helped make our daughter, Mattea, such a desirable student, and thank you again for everything you do — you are an AMAZING educator and person!!!

Maryann Novi
Parent