Top Career & Tech Program Continues to Improve

Central Campus, located at 1800 Grand Avenue, is home to one of the nation's top career and technical programs.

Central Campus, located at 1800 Grand Avenue, is home to one of the nation’s top career and technical programs.

When a major renovation to the third floor of Central Campus was completed a couple of years ago, one of the features that drew the most ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ was the new home for the Aquarium Science and Marine Biology programs.

Here in the middle of America was a facility that would be the envy of any school on a coast. As impressive as the facility itself is, the education taking place in the program has drawn rave reviews from some of the nation’s leading scientists.

Marine Biology/Aquarium Science is one reason Central Campus is recognized as one of the top career and technical education programs in the nation. But it certainly isn’t the only one.

Central Campus is also home to an Aviation Technology program that is one of only three such high school programs authorized by the FAA. The Horticulture & Animal Science facilities on County Line Road also house an award-winning FFA program smack in the biggest, most urban school district in the state. The innovative Iowa Energy and Sustainability Academy is recognized nationally as a leader in environmental education. The Fashion Design program hosts an annual show worthy of the runways of New York or Paris and Culinary Arts has become a regional and national powerhouse in that field with a state-of-the-art kitchen.

And those are just to cite a few of the opportunities and highlights. Here are some of the big-picture statistics:

  • Central Campus has over 300 business partners & 10 post-secondary partners.
  • Central Campus has 10 programs that offer industry recognized certifications and credentials.
  • 11,626 college credits were earned last year through Central Campus’s concurrent program with DMACC, saving $1,581,136.00 in tuition costs.
  • Over the last four years, Central Campus students have scored from 92% – 97% on technical skill proficiency tests in areas of occupational certification.

So, with all of that already going for it, can Central Campus get even better? The answer is clearly “yes.”

Just take a look at the classes that are new this year:

  • Aviation: Intro to Pilot Training
  • Basic Nurses Aide/ELL
  • Biotechnology in Medicine
  • Biotechnology in Agri-Science
  • Construction Trades: Construction & Pre-Apprenticeship
  • Construction Trades: Home Building, Painting & Drywall, Pre-Apprenticeship
  • Early Childhood Careers; Level 2
  • Mobile App Development
  • Software Design and Gaming
  • Urban Leadership/Dream to Teach (Teacher Academy)

What used to be generically known as vocational education isn’t what it used to be. Approximately 88% of 21st century jobs will be in middle-skill and high-skill areas. Nationally, there is a shortage of qualified job applicants in both categories. Central Campus qualifies students for many of those positions, and gives students a jump start on their futures by preparing them for post-secondary education and/or immediate entry into career paths.

Giving students a peek into the future begins at middle school in Central Campus exploratory courses. Students are able to learn about and practice a wide variety of technical skills. Last year, there were 10,497 middle school class enrollments.

The Career & Technical Institute offers many classes not available at other high schools in the district or even across the state and nation. In a wide range of disciplines it is a unique educational opportunity for students lucky enough to live in this area.

Over 1,000 students are taking advantage of the following courses and programs:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Aquarium Science
  • Auto Collision Repair
  • Automotive Fundamentals Technology
  • Automotive Technology
  • Aviation Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Broadcasting & Film
  • Career Opportunities in Health
  • Commercial Photography
  • Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)
  • Computer Technology & Networking
  • Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program(s)
  • Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management
  • Early Childhood Careers
  • Engineering Robotics & Electronics
  • Fashion Design & Merchandising
  • Graphic Communication
  • Health Science Anatomy
  • Home Building Technology
  • Horticulture and Animal Science
  • Iowa Energy and Sustainability Academy
  • Marine Biology
  • Nurse Aide Specialist/Advanced Nurse Aide/Nurse Aide
  • Painting & Drywall
  • Project Lead the Way (Intro to Engineering, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, Civil Engineering & Architecture)
  • Teacher Academy
  • Welding Technology

That range is practically A-Z, speaking of which, we’re still teaching a lot of that sort of thing, too.

Interested in attending Central Campus? Learn more about how to enroll in courses by calling 515-242-7846 or visit them online at centralcampus.dmschoools.org.

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