The Virginia Department of Education is relaunching a health sciences program this summer. The Summer Residential Governor’s School for Medicine and Health Sciences is set for June 23 to July 20 at Radford University’s Roanoke campus.

The program was last held before the pandemic, in summer 2019.

The highly selective program is open to current sophomores and juniors in public or private schools, as well as homeschooled students. Students who are homeschooled must apply through their district public school. The program allows students to experience campus life while participating in hands-on activities involving real-world scenarios that will deepen their understanding of the medical field.

The program is designed to be free to students, and costs are generally divided between the VDOE and the local school division. Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide “an intensive educational experience for high-performing” students, according to the VDOE.

In addition to the medicine and health sciences program, other areas include engineering, visual and performing arts, humanities and agriculture, which have been relaunched.

The VDOE application deadline for the medicine and health sciences program is Feb. 23, but local divisions have earlier deadlines. Students can contact their local school counselor for more information and visit the VDOE website for the application.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com