Loudoun County Public Schools (in Virginia) opened the Academy of Science (AOS) this year for 9th and 12th grade students. In the 2006-07 school year the academy will include a program of studies for students in grades 9 through 12. Students attend the AOS on alternating days. Students take science, math, and research courses at the Academy and all other subjects at their home school on the opposite day. This schedule enables students to maintain involvement in academic and extra-curricular activities at their home school while participating in a research-based challenging math and science program.