SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – WIN Academy, a public charter high school embedded at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, has been awarded $570,000 by the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board to expand student access and launch a new Information Technology and Cybersecurity pathway, creating additional opportunities for students to enter high-demand careers while still in high school.

The funding will support the expansion of WIN Academy’s enrollment and the development of a new IT and cybersecurity pathway aligned with growing workforce needs across West Virginia. As a public charter high school, WIN Academy is provided at no cost to students, who complete high school graduation requirements while earning college credit and gaining hands-on experience in a college setting.

The expansion comes as demand for skilled workers in IT and cybersecurity continues to grow across the region. By embedding these pathways within an early college model, WIN Academy helps students accelerate their progress toward postsecondary credentials and transition more quickly into the workforce.

“This expansion creates new opportunities for students to explore IT and cybersecurity careers while still in high school,” said Jennifer Hurt, Dean of High School Programs. “It also strengthens our workforce pipeline and ensures WIN Academy continues to provide a high-quality, college-integrated experience that prepares students for success after graduation.”

“WIN Academy is a strong example of how innovative, student-centered models can expand opportunity and align education with workforce needs,” said Barry Holstein, Executive Director of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board. “This investment will allow the program to grow and ensure more students have access to high-quality, workforce-aligned pathways in critical fields like information technology and cybersecurity.”

Funding will support curriculum development, instructional technology, lab space enhancements, and outreach efforts to expand access for students across the region.