Calhoun Area Career Center

(click on the top image to be taken directly to the CACC's website)

As a Junior and Senior, Pennfield High School student have the opportunity to attend The Calhoun Area Career Center (CACC) for the first three blocks of their day.  Transportation is provided to and from Pennfield High School and The CACC.

They may choose from over twenty programs.  All Career Center courses, when successfully completed, earn college credit at either Kellogg Community College, Ferris State University, Western Michigan University, and Davenport University.  A separate registration form is required to participate, and several CACC programs require a separate application.  See Mrs. Bailey if you are interested.  When taken during the senior year, all CACC programs satisfy the senior year math-related course graduation requirement. (exception is Algebra IIA and Algebra IIB option)  Additionally, students may also earn other core required course credits for completing an entire program.  See the "Graduation Requirements" tab.

CACC presents their programs at Pennfield High School in November, to the entire 10th grade class.  After the presentation, students will complete the form below, and choose their top three choices to visit in January.  The Counseling staff takes the entire class to visit the CACC, and students may then request which program they may like to register for after the visit.  Many programs have limited spaces and on a first come, first serve basis.  A detailed description of every program is below.

REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND CACC

Excellent attendance, on track for graduation, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn.

None of the programs require applications, except the following three.  Application includes: letters of recommendation from teachers, essay, and interview.:

21st Century

EMT

Education Academy

*Applications will be made available in the Spring.

DID YOU KNOW . . ?

Students attending the Calhoun Area Career Center can actually earn college credit by successfully completing their program at the CACC? This is possible through articulation agreements the Calhoun Area Career Center has with many post-secondary institutions.

Articulation is the process of interrelating coursework between the two schools. It is the philosophy of many in education that if students are getting certain skills or levels of competencies in high school, they should not have to repeat that instruction when they move on to the next level. As a result, many colleges will give credit for competencies achieved at a Career Center or high school if they are the same as an entry-level college class. This makes sense and helps in a “seamless transition” between high school and college.

The best news is that the credit is given to the student when they enroll in the post-secondary institution at no cost to the student! It is as good, or better than a scholarship. It saves money and time in pursuit of a degree or certificate.

Each college has its own procedures for articulation but typically, a student needs to do well in their CACC program by earning a “B” or better grade. The necessary forms need to be completed by the instructor of the program to verify the student’s level of competency. In some cases the student may need to complete some sort of assessment.

Currently CACC has agreements with many schools and is working on more. Students should check with their program instructor or CACC counselor to find out about existing agreements and how they can earn college credit by attending Calhoun Area Career Center!