The Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) specialty program at Freedom High School offers a rigorous four-year program of studies designed to include strong laboratory and field investigation components. An enriched and interdisciplinary curriculum helps students gain a greater understanding of the connection between scientific and other academic areas.
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 co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including community service, and will become involved with business and community partnerships that enhance their understanding of environmental and natural sciences.
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
Virginia High School League Eligibility
Rising ninth-grade students who transfer to a school to participate in a specialty program will be eligible to participate in VHSL-sponsored activities. Rising tenth and eleventh-grade students who transfer to any specialty program shall be ineligible to participate in VHSL-sponsored activities for 365 days unless there is a corresponding change of address in accordance with VHSL Regulation 28a-7-1. For additional information, please refer to PWCS Regulation 721.2.
Transportation
Transportation services for students who reside outside the boundaries of the specialty program school will be provided via a network of express bus stops.
Transportation requests, including the selection of a specific express stop, must be returned to the school with the specialty program application.
The transportation request process must be repeated each year the student is enrolled in the specialty program. Parents have the responsibility to provide transportation to and from express bus stops.
CENS Brochure For Program Information
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