Centerpoint Academy of Agriculture and Skilled Trades (CAAST) will serve students in 11th and 12th grades and is operated by the Centerpoint School District. As a FY2020 APSRC CSP Subgrantee, CAAST was awarded $1,250,000 in December 2019.

The mission of Centerpoint Academy of Agriculture and Skilled Trades is to provide students with opportunities to learn the values of skilled labor in an environment that emphasizes perseverance, collaboration, and innovation.

Skilled Trade Days are designed to allow students the opportunity to work with industry professionals on the job-site. These included a carpenter, a welder, and an electrician. Additional jobsites will added next year. In addition to the Skilled Trade Days, CAAST Students will have monthly opportunities (for a total of eight days per school year) for job shadowing experience.

CAAST Students get to practice skills they are learning by using the CAT Simulators provided by Farm Bureau's AgTech Training Lab. After completing lessons, students get to use the simulators to gain lifelike experiences.

CAAST Students also attend ten (10) Agricultural Farm Days. The students:

• work on the school farm or on agricultural/ skilled trades related projects

• are provided with opportunities to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom in a hands-on manner

• learn the value of skilled labor in an environment that emphasizes perseverance, collaboration and innovation