Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Technical College have partnered to create the Atlanta College and Career Academy to prepare high school students for high demand, highly skilled technical careers, which will also address the economic and workforce demands of Atlanta and across Georgia.
 
As a 21st century technical center, the Atlanta College and Career Academy opens new opportunities for APS students to register for dual enrollment courses offered by Atlanta Technical College and gain exposure to career pathways not available in their high schools. Students who earn their diploma through the ACCA will have simultaneously completed the majority of the college credits required to earn a two-year degree, as well as technical certificates of study and an industrial certification.  Some of the career pathways that will be offered beginning in the 2016-2017 school year include:

·       Automotive Collision Repair
·       Avionics
·       Computer Information Systems (CISCO Networking)
·       Early Childhood Care and Education
·       Health Information Management
·       Pharmacy Technology
·       Supply Chain Management
·       Design and Media Production Technology

 
“We are excited to have this additional option for our students,” said Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen, Ed.D.  “The Atlanta College and Career Academy aligns with our mission that every student will graduate ready for college and career, and enhances our efforts to expose our high school students to a college preparatory, career and technical curriculum.”
 
The Technical College System of Georgia board of directors approved the award of a $3,333,333 grant to Atlanta Technical College to create the Atlanta College and Career Academy during its December 3, 2015 board meeting.
 
ACCA will be located on the ATC campus at 1560 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. ATC will use the Technical College System of Georgia’s GCCAP facility grant to renovate a 30,000 square feet facility on the campus to operate the Academy. In the interim, students will use all ATC’s classrooms and labs as needed for instruction, counseling and administration.

Under APS’ new charter system model, representatives from Atlanta Technical College, Achieve Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Kauffman Tire, Inc. and Holder Construction Company have been named to serve on the ACCA board.
 
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle praised the new APS/Atlanta Technical College partnership. “I am excited that the Technical College System of Georgia approved Atlanta College and Career as one of Georgia’s newest College and Career Academies,” said Lt. Governor Cagle.  “As Lt. Governor, I am committed to providing every student in Georgia access to a college and career academy. Their proven success at providing our children the relevant, job-related skills they need is more important than ever in the 21st Century economy.”