Freedom High School
Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences
Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences
The Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) specialty at Freedom High School offers a rigorous four-year program of studies designed to include strong laboratory and field investigation components. The mission of CENS is to promote environmental citizenship and a sustainable community through challenging, hands-on collaborative learning experiences that promote innovative thinking, problem-solving, and leadership within our school and community. Freedom High School aims to create a sustainable society of students that embodies respect and care for the community of life and ecological integrity.
The program emphasizes interactive science research and projects that make use of the on-site CENS lab, greenhouse, aquarium, diverse habitats, and wet pond. Students participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities, including community service, and become involved with business and community partnerships that enhance their understanding of environmental and natural sciences.
Application Information
Specialty program applications will be accepted November 1, 2024-February 1, 2025.
Visit the Specialty Programs Application Process website to learn more about the application process.
Who can apply?
All PWCS students in grades 9, 10, and 11.
Requirements:
- All CENS students must maintain a “C” average in their core subject areas (language arts, social studies, math and science) and be enrolled in at least one CENS science class each year. The CENS classes will include Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, AP Environmental Science (required for CENS Medal and CENS Merit Honors), AP Biology and DE Biology. CENS Science Electives include all AP science classes, all DE science classes, Ecology, Advanced Earth Science, Forensics, Astronomy, Oceanography, and Physics.
- CENS students must also abide by PWCS Policy and Regulation Code 721-2 B: A transfer to another school is considered a privilege. A transfer may be rescinded for the current year or denied for the following year for any serious infraction of the "Code of Behavior," truancy or tardy issues, or failure to comply with the requirements of a specialty or career and technical education program.
Program Information
Transfer Program
Students participating in this program will transfer to the program location for all courses and activities.
Express bus transportation is available to accepted students living outside the program location boundaries through Specialty Program Transportation.
Learn More About the Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences Program
Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences at Freedom HS
The mission of CENS is to promote environmental citizenship and a sustainable community through challenging hands-on collaborative learning experiences that encourage innovative thinking, problem-solving, and leadership within our school and community. Freedom High Schools aims to create a sustainable society of students that embodies respect and care for the community of life and ecological integrity.
CENS Information Brochure in English (PDF)
Programs of Study
The program of studies includes a sequence of required CENS science courses, pre-AP/AP English and History and Social Studies courses, and a strong mathematics sequence.
Environmental Science CENS Medal
- Total of 6 CENS Classes: Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, AP Biology (or DE Biology I), AP Environmental Science and 2 CENS approved science courses
- 80 hours of community Service
- Completion and presentation of research project
Example Sequence:
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry
- Grade 11: AP Environmental Science (required) and another CENS Science Course
- Grade 12: Physics and another CENS Science Course
Environmental Science CENS Merit
- Total of 5 CENS classes: Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, AP Biology (or DE Biology I), AP Environmental Science and 1 CENS approved science courses
- 60 hours of community Service
Example Sequence:
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry
- Grade 11: AP Environmental Science (required)
- Grade 12: Physics
Environmental Science CENS Pathway
- 3 science courses and 1 CENS approved science course
Example Sequence:
- Grade 9: Biology
- Grade 10: Chemistry or Earth Science
- Grade 11: Any Science Course such as Oceanography
- Grade 12: No science required if student took a science in each of the 3 previous years.
Environmental Science CENS Certificate
- 4 CENS Classes: Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry and 2 other CENS approved science courses
- 40 hours of community Service
Example Sequence:
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry
- Grade 11: Any CENS Science Course
- Grade 12: Any CENS Science Course
Students in Action
CENS students participate in a clean-up of FDHS pond. As students picked up litter, items were classified as trash or recyclables, tallied, and weighed.
CENS students adopt Freedom's Pond and learn about storm water drainage with help from PWC Water and Soil Conservation District and the Dept. of Public Works
CENS students turn old pickle barrels into rain barrels with help from Friends of the Occoquan
CENS students reuse milk cartons from the cafeteria to plant seedlings using Freedom's Greenhouse
CENS students enjoy nature at Meadowood Park