Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera visited Roanoke College on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 3 to meet with students and staff participating in Explore@RC, the college’s growing lab school program that offers free college coursework to local high school students.
Explore@RC, now in its second year, was created through a partnership between Roanoke College and local school divisions. The state-funded program allows students in grades 10–12 to take real college classes on campus and earn college credit at no cost. Twenty-five students are enrolled this semester.
Guidera spent the morning observing classes and speaking with students about how early access to higher education is shaping their academic goals.
“For students who may never have set foot on a college campus, being here and seeing the possibilities for yourself, it changes everything,” Guidera said. “Having people believe in you, it changes lives.”
Program leaders say the initiative helps students begin exploring career paths, build essential skills and gain confidence before graduating high school. Explore@RC offers 12 college-level courses emphasizing hands-on learning and practical skill development.
The program is open to high school students across Virginia, though transportation is currently provided only for those attending Salem City Schools.
Roanoke College officials say the growing lab school is helping remove financial and logistical barriers to higher education while giving teenagers an early start on pursuing a four-year degree.
