ACE Academy

The Architecture • Construction • Engineering (ACE) Academy is designed to provide students with a broad scope of the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue an exciting career in the architecture/construction/engineering fields.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

When should my child start taking ACE classes? If your child is interested in exploring the possibilities that the ACE Academy presents, they should take the Introductory to ACE class as a freshman. 

Can they start as a sophomore? or junior? Although the ACE program is designed for students to ideally begin taking courses in their freshman year in order to fulfill all the required coursework, they may be able to join the ACE program if the courses that they have already taken qualify as transferable towards the program.  

What would happen when they graduate? This all depends on the path that they decide to pursue.  

One path is college preparedness in which the coursework will prepare them for either a two- or four-year program in the architecture, construction or engineering fields. 

The other path is to become what we call a career-ready student who is seeking ACE related employment. Career-ready students may work as apprentices while attending courses that provide an industry-related education.

Would they be ready to work? If students opt for the career-ready path and are conscientious about attendance and demonstrate a desire to work in an industry-related occupation, there will be many opportunities for them to explore. 

Are they required to get an apprenticeship for the career-ready path while still attending school? No. The ACE Academy can serve as a pre-apprenticeship program, giving successful graduates a head start on a formal skilled trades apprenticeship program., however, an apprenticeship is not a requirement of the program.

 What is the role of the sponsoring companies? As partners with the school, the sponsoring companies contribute supplies, leadership, and offer opportunities for job shadowing, Youth Apprenticeship, field trips, and mentoring. The industry sponsors also work with educators to produce a curriculum that meets real-world demands for knowledge and skills.