Health Sciences Academy

Welcome to our Health Sciences Academy information page!

Health Sciences Academy Coordinator: Mrs. Terry Mejia
Phone: 757-648-5225

The Bayside High School Health Sciences Academy (HSA) is an innovative program completely immersed in the medical sciences. This unique program offers students a myriad of opportunities to choose the curriculum that suits their interests and needs. All students receive a strong college preparatory education as they work toward an advanced studies diploma.

Students will gain a perceptive understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology with a combination of didactic college level lectures and lab activities. Depending on whether the student wants to pursue a degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing or other various allied health professions, students will be able to select additional medical elective courses of interest.

The Health Sciences Academy offers students opportunities for college credit through 18 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and two Dual Enrollment courses. AP courses begin in the ninth grade for Health Sciences Academy students. We also offer six additional weighted credit courses.

An invaluable resource to our program is the many educational and professional partnerships we have, including Eastern Virginia Medical School, Sentara Hospitals, St. George’s Medical School in Grenada, Operation Smile, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughter, Virginia Wesleyan College and many health care providers in the Hampton Roads area. Throughout the four years, students will be exposed to numerous medical professionals including the opportunity to engage in clinical shadowing experiences in all areas of medicine and the health sciences. Unique to the Health Sciences Academy is the opportunity for conditional admission to St. George’s University: Medical and Veterinary Schools.

Commitment to community service is an important aspect of the Health Sciences Academy. Participation in community service increases self-esteem, promotes civic responsibility, strengthens the community, brings people together and provides valuable learning opportunities. Students in the Health Sciences Academy are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of community service over their four years in the academy. At least 75 of these hours must be medically related.

The Health Sciences Academy operates on the belief that students learn best by being actively engaged. Through advanced curricula, community partnerships and committed faculty, the Health Sciences Academy facilitates student awareness of medical related professions while providing individual skills and knowledge necessary to empower students to be lifelong learners.