Business and Community Support
Data Highlights
- Since opening in 2006, over 120 students have earned dual-enrollment credit through the WCA/Athens Tech partnership
- Dual Enrollment students have achieved a 100% graduation rate
- Total enrollment for 2009: (unduplicated count) 432, with total enrollment by section of 626 (duplicated count) (approximate 30% increase over 2008)
- Demographic trends: WCA consistently attracts more males than females (2008: 187 males vs. 115 females).
- We believe this is a factor in closing the traditional gender gap in graduation rates
- Over 520 WCA seniors have completed our “Prepared & Polished Professional” program, and they have interacted with 250 business leaders as part of the annual culminating dinner
- Approximately 230 WCA seniors have earned a “Certified Work-Ready” certificate since 2007
- Over 220 WCA students have been directly involved (via internships, work-study, part-time, or full-time jobs) with our local business community
- WCA is a centralized location to offer unique opportunities to WCPS students in a very cost-effective manner (Chorus program, Nursing Essentials, etc)
- For the graduating class of 2008, 61% of WCA/LHS seniors (69 out of 114) and 87% of WCA/MAHS seniors (39 out of 45) made final transcripts requests to post-secondary institutions
- GHSGT Impact example: 100% of WCA Construction students passed the GHSGT Math portion on the first attempt
Athens Technical College Impacts
- The Athens Technical College Walton County Campus had a total enrollment of approximately 460 students for 2008. This represents a over a 75% increase in the number of students being served since 2006.
- ATC staff provided Certified Work Ready Assessments for over 700 individuals in 2008, and has already assessed over 400 in 2009
- Adult Enrollment has continued to grow with a total enrollment of over 550 adult students for Fall 2009
- ATC financial resources (salaries/equip/supplies) committed to Walton County have increased from approximately $161k in 2005 to over $475k in 2008.
- Local Adult Education Program served 729 individuals in 2008 and produced 125 GED graduates
Capital Dollars
- Approximately $1.1 million was spent by BOE to update building in 2004/2005 (primarily spent on new HVAC and Lighting systems)
- $400,000 Charter School Implementation Grant utilized for initial equipment purchases and additional building upgrades
- $100,000 from Charter Schools Facility Fund to support bathroom/ADA upgrades
- $500,000 from Lt. Gov. Cagle’s Career Academy initiative to support development of a “Life Science” wing to include new Healthcare spaces and a Dual-Enrollment Biotechnology program
- $10,000 from Charter Schools Facility Fund to support drinking water upgrades
- Approximately $90,000 from Certified Work Ready Region Grant to support Life Science programs
