A. The secondary school, in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the board, shall provide a program of instruction to ensure that students (i) attain the knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences necessary to be successful in the evolving global economy whether immediately entering the world of work or pursuing a postsecondary education and (ii) acquire and be able to demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with 8VAC20-132-70 and the Profile of a Virginia Graduate. The secondary school shall provide each student a program of instruction in the four core academic areas of English, mathematics, science, and history and social science that identifies the knowledge and skills that students should attain, giving due consideration to critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in the early years of high school, andenables each student to meet the prescribed graduation requirements. The secondary school shall offer opportunities for each student, including:
1. Career and technical education choices that incorporate knowledge of regional workforce needs and opportunities; prepare the student as a career and technical education program completer in one of three or more occupational areas; and prepare the student for technical or preprofessional postsecondary programs;2. Coursework and experiences that prepare the student for college-level studies, including access to at least three Advanced Placement (AP) courses, college-level courses for degree credit, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, Cambridge courses, or any combination thereof;3. Preparation for college admissions tests;4. Study and exploration of the fine arts and world languages; and5. Participation in work experiences, such as internships, externships, and other work-based learning experiences, and attaining workforce and career readiness and industry credentials.