Students Like Engineering, Healthcare at College & Career Academy

More than 240 students will attend the Bartow County College and Career Academy (BCCCA) when it opens this fall at the Bartow Learning Center, the old Cass High School site on Grassdale Road.

BCCCA offers four career clusters, the two most popular in interest seem to be the healthcare and engineering fields. Several classes are also offered in marketing and public safety. The goal of BCCCA is to create an environment where students can learn at a high level and utilize those skills in real world applications. Using technology, business and industry experience along with outstanding instructors, BCCCA will provide a level of learning to allow students opportunities that are not available at their base school.

There are 25 students who are dually enrolled with Chattahoochee Technical College.

Since the planning process, the community and businesses have been in support of the BCCCA. Teachers and counselors have been extremely helpful and encouraging of students to pursue their individual interest at the Academy.

“There have been many hurdles and we continue to find areas that need to be considered, but the support of the community is the constant," said Dr. Paul Sabin, CEO/Principal Bartow County College and Career Academy. "As an example, we were struggling with how students could participate in 'College Credit Now' if they could not afford the fees when two of our partners stepped up. Now, we have a fund to help pay for any fees. This is just one of a hundred examples of what can happen when you get a team behind a project.”

BCCCA is always looking for businesses wanting to get involved. To meet the educational goals, students will need opportunities for internships, externships and to be mentored.

“Associates need to be in the real world of learning and utilize skills learned in the labs and classrooms. Internships in engineering, marketing, public safety, and healthcare will be critical to the mission of creating a 21st century workforce for Bartow County. In addition to these opportunities, the planning committees continue to need input regarding future workforce needs and opportunities for students wanting to attend the College and Career Academy,” said Dr. Sabin.