Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) has launched a new partnership with George Mason University to offer direct admission for eligible seniors at the three PPS high schools (Churchland, I.C. Norcom and Manor). This partnership has been in place in other school divisions in the state, specifically in Northern Virginia. PPS, though, is the first division in Hampton Roads to secure this opportunity.

Under the George Mason Direct Admission Program, seniors who earned a 3.25 GPA or higher by the end of their junior year are automatically granted admission to the university. This makes the college admissions process easier and more accessible for seniors by simplifying the application process, waiving application fees, eliminating essay and recommendation letter requirements as well as providing the confidence of guaranteed college acceptance.

“This partnership with George Mason is about opening doors for our students and making the path to higher education more accessible,” said PPS Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy, III. “Our seniors have worked hard throughout their high school careers, and this program recognizes that effort by removing some of the traditional barriers associated with the college application process. We look forward to seeing where this opportunity takes them.”

Earlier in the quarter, division administration provided George Mason the list of seniors meeting this criteria (unless families had not authorized the release of their child’s information to higher education institutions as part of the annual School Check-In). As such, students and their families will receive additional details about the program later this month, including instructions on completing the direct admissions process.

To learn more about George Mason and the Direct Admission Program, visit www.gmu.edu/high-school-direct-admissions.