Career Academies were developed nearly 40 years ago with the goal of helping to create better pathways from high school to the workplace. Since that time,thousands of high schools across the country have followed suit, offering their students a rigorous curriculum that is rooted in career-related programs. This approach has helped to reduce the high school drop-out rate while preparing students for careers that suit their abilities and interests.

“Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce Today” is the mission of Georgia’s College and Career Academies. Students are learning in environments that give them the skills to compete, and with 80 percent of jobs requiring some sort of post-secondary education, the College and Career Academies are working to fulfill that challenge. They are also bringing relevance to a high school student’s education and preparing them for college as well as their career.

Operating as a College and Career Academy, the course offerings are structured around such career and technical paths as health sciences, public safety, teaching as a profession, cosmetology, engineering and more. The students follow a curriculum that includes lecture and lab experiences as well as participation in Work-based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship opportunities. This specialized approach to learning allows the students to follow a curriculum based on their own passions and career goals.

Like other career academies, the Houston College and Career Academy (HCCA)is an extension of the programs within the high schools in Houston County, offering career pathway programs in 19 different areas, ranging from culinary arts to welding and soon to be offered cybersecurity. There are currently around 850 students enrolled, and HCCA partners with local businesses and industries to provide internships and employment opportunities for students while in highschool and upon graduation.

In order for a student to attend, they must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Students in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades are enrolled in either Central Georgia Technical College or Middle Georgia State University as dual enrollment students.Dr. Sherry Johnson, Principal and CEO of HCCA, says, “Our school opened in 2009, and it is structured around a charter school model. Our role has always been to provide project-based instruction which includes a seamless blending of academic courses with career and technical education. We are definitely not like the old vocational-technical schools from years ago.”

Students are able to earn certifications and technical certificates upon completion of the programs. Dr. Johnson believes the community is integral to the programs by offering learning opportunities for students in their specific industry or business. Thus, the more community involvement, the more students are able to learn from real-life situations.

Sandi Couillard, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator for Houston County, works closely with local business leaders to ensure HCCA graduates succeed. “We have great leadership as well as teachers who are energetic, so there is huge potential for continued success at HCCA. I love working here because I see the success on a daily basis. Our graduates have the employability skills to enter the workforce, sothe community really benefits from what we do.”

“We were one of the first academies to come online in the state, and we have always been recognized as one of the most progressive among its peer institutions,” explains Angie Gheesling, Executive Director, Development Authority of Houston County. “The state of Georgia recognized the school as a‘Career Academy of the Year’ in 2015, followed by the previous HCCA CEO and Principal, Sabrina Phelps, being selected as the ‘Georgia Administrator of the Year.’

The school has also consistently held the distinction of boasting one of the largest enrollments in the state.“I believe one of the keys to growth has been the interaction with key businesses in the community. By listening to the needs of local industry and encouraging their representatives to give of their time, we have seen the student’s interest in programs and participation in high demand career pathways rise.”Senior Seana Winfield was excited to learn that she could take the healthcare
courses offered at HCCA. “I love being able to pursue my career at HCCA, and I’ve learned about such interesting and useful skills, from administering CPR to checking vital signs. I’ve also been allowed to work at Houston Healthcare for the past two years, giving me the chance to practically apply what I’ve learned.”

“The HCCA students who have completed programs and certifications at HCCA are in high demand,” continues Gheesling. “When (local) industries participate in the development of programming, we see the greatest success and benefit to both the companies and our students.” One great example would be the collaboration between Frito Lay and HCCA, which resulted in the completion of the Industrial Maintenance Lab, the first of its kind in the state of Georgia. This program remains a model being used by other systems statewide to enhance their work force development efforts.

Recently, the school district played an integral role in the location of Project Synergy. Robins Air Force Base needed space to bring a new mission to the installation. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mark Scott, and HCCA joined the Houston County Commission and the Development Authority to bring an award-winning, modern software factory to life. A classroom and lab were included in thefootprint,presenting the opportunity for high school students in Houston County to learn alongside the best and brightest workforce in the country. Each year, twenty-five HCCA students are dually enrolled at Middle Georgia State University in anew pathway which was developed in concert with input from Robins and other industry. This program ensures that the workforce pipeline continues to flourish .Following the success of this co-location, RAFB offered 27 graduating seniors the chance to intern during the summer at Project Synergy. This was the first time in over a decade that this opportunity had been offered to high school students. Whether students plan to work in computer science or food service, HCCA provides a wide variety of opportunities. Jaiah Spight, who graduated in 2020 as a pathway completer in Culinary Arts, says, “When I first enrolled, HCCA exceeded all my expectations. The faculty at HCCA treats each student (as if we) were their own children.” Since graduation, Jaiah has landed a job at Houston County High School as a food assistant. “My time at HCCA has allowed me to truly follow my passion, and I’ll be forever grateful.”

“The quality of the Houston County School District is critical to the strength of our local economy,” says Gheesling. “Dr.Scott and his senior leadership team doan outstanding job of consistently communicating both the successes of the system as well as its challenges to local officials, the business community, and to our citizens. The result of this level of communication is evidenced by the willingness of Houston County’s citizens to overwhelmingly pass SPLOST programs that allow for continued investment in facilities and technology that benefit our students and teachers.”