Local Charter School Helps Students Prepare To Enter Workforce

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – There are 110 charter schools throughout the Peach State that offer alternative education options for students instead of attending a tradition public school. One of those special schools is located right here in Middle Georgia.

Students at the Houston County Career Academy take more than just your traditional high school classes, like English and math.

“The programs that we offer could very well lead them to an actual career, so its not just ‘fluff fluff’ kind of classes. It’s actually career based classes,” HCCA Principal Sabrina Phelps said.

Students can choose from several career pathways including aircraft support, business and computer science, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering, healthcare science, law and justice, metal technology, teaching as a profession, and transportation logistical support/automotive. This charter school gives students hands on experience in their chosen career field before they even graduate from high school.

Instead of attending a traditional public school, charter schools offer students an alternative education choice. These schools are held to a higher standard.

“The traditional public charter school has one reason to exist and that is to reach higher student achievement for the students it serves,” Tony Roberts with the Georgia Charter Schools Association said. “They are held accountable to reach those goals for their students or they can be shut down.”

HCCA is doing that by preparing its students to enter the workforce.

“When they leave they have one leg up, one more credential that they can share with potential employers and say ‘here’s what I did in my welding class, this is what I know how to do’ versus someone coming in off the street looking for an entry level position,” Phelps said.

Over half of the students attending HCCA are dull enrolled at Middle Georgia Technical College and continue to study their chosen career path after high school. If you are interested in enrolling your student, click here for more information.