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COMING SOON
As steel pipes and drywall begin to take shape, people often ask about the construction across from Naaman Forest High School. They wonder about the building and when it will open. The answer always leaves them in anticipation.
Garland ISD’ s new Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center( GRCTC) opens in August 2017, offering fulfillment of a promise from the 2014 bond election. The GRCTC also offers endless career opportunities for GISD students. The campus, unlike any other, serves juniors and seniors from across the district. Students do not select the GRCTC during Choice of School. They simply select from the campus’ more than 90 Career and Technical Education( CTE) courses
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during Choice of Subject with high school counselors. Students then remain at their current high schools and travel to the GRCTC for two class periods on either A day or B day. District transportation is available, or students can choose to drive their own vehicles.
“ I look forward to helping prepare students for a successful future,” said Principal Erika Crump.“ CTE teaches skills that translate into professions. Because students in these courses receive real-world experience and hands-on training in some of the most high-demand fields, graduates often work their way through college or enter the workforce straight out of high school.”
The home to future firefighters, veterinarians, chefs and more, GRCTC expands the opportunities already available throughout the district. Students take introductory courses at their home high schools and then progress to advanced-level classes at the Center. Several new programs and certifications are also being added, including firefighting, dentistry and cybersecurity. Other features of note include a real-world stock market ticker and a bistro run by culinary students.
But high schoolers will not be the only ones taking advantage of this state-of-the art learning environment. The GRCTC boasts North Texas’ first BizTown ®, which allows district sixth-graders to run a simulated city. A partnership with Junior Achievement of Dallas, participants operate businesses, receive a paycheck, pay for goods and obey city laws to learn financial education, entrepreneurship and civic duty.
“ Experiences like these make education more relevant, which is critical,” commented Interim Superintendent Deborah Cron.“ We focus every day and every decision on how to enhance and support student learning.”
For more information and the latest on construction progress, visit www. garlandisd. net / grctc.