ACCA Named No. 1 Career Academy in the State

From press release

The Athens Community Career Academy, a College and Career Academy opened in 2011, was named the 2014 College and Career Academy of the Year by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle at the 2014 Lt. Governor’s Business and Education Summit. Athens Community Career Academy was selected from among six finalists nominated for this annual award. Additionally, Caterpillar, Athens was named the Business Partner of the Year in recognition of their strong partnership dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to compete in the 21st Century global economy.

“I am excited to officially name Athens Community Career Academy as our College and Career Academy of the Year and also recognize Caterpillar, Athens as our Business Partner of the Year,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “The tremendous partnership between the Clarke County School System, Athens Technical College, the University of Georgia, Caterpillar, Athens, and the local business community has produced an incredible, world-class educational institution that is leading Clarke County into the bright economic future of tomorrow. This innovative, forward-looking partnership is a model for the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we need to transform public education and ensure that our kids are fighting to get into school and not fighting to get out. The incredible thing is they’re just getting started and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Athens Community Career Academy is a partnership between the Clarke County School District, Athens Technical College, and the University of Georgia. Students from any of three public high schools may apply to attend the Academy where they can be dually enrolled to begin earning transferable college credits while still in high school. The Clarke County School System covers full tuition and books for dually enrolled students allowing them to earn college credits without incurring costs or debt. Students may choose from pathways including culinary arts, criminal justice, healthcare, early childhood care and education, mechatronics, and early college essentials. Each pathway enables a student to earn a Technical College Certification upon completion.

The Academy enjoys tremendous partnerships with various groups and businesses across the community, including their close work with Caterpillar, Athens. Caterpillar supports many of the Athens Community Career Academy’s efforts, especially those within the mechatronics pathway. Students are given the chance to interact with professionals at the plant and see how what they are learning in the classroom gives them real life-skills which will assist them in finding future employment. Caterpillar also established a paid internship program which allows them to work at the Caterpillar plant while continuing their education at the Academy. Upon graduation, students have the skills and experience necessary to apply for full-time employment at the facility which will then pay for their engineering degree after one year of successful employment.

An initiative of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, College and Career Academies blend a high school with a technical college to teach our students the technical skills they will need to compete in the 21st Century global economy. For more information please visit: http://georgiacareeracademies.org.