The Center for Advanced Technical Studies, simply known as The Center to many, opened the doors to welcome its inaugural class on August 21 along with the rest of Lexington/Richland 5 schools. Years in the making, The Center is a vocational technical school billing itself as “one of the most exciting places to learn in the nation.”
“I feel like it gives opportunities to learn more than what we could at Chapin,” said sophomore Shannon Karn.
Located in the Spring Hill area, CATE is dedicated to students who want to learn real world skills to help them in their future careers. With a total staff of twenty teachers and instructors, students can take classes that range from Biomedical Engineering to Home Economics.
Students are taught through discovery which focuses on learning in a more hands on manner like creating projects.
To help with the educational mission, The Center is stocked with equipment ranging from kitchen appliances to welding machines to the latest computer technology. The goal is to simulate an environment similar to the one a student may be working at later in life.
The Center is dedicated to preparing student for college or making them work force ready.
Principal Bob Couch said, “The center serves all students whether they are two-year or four-year college bound, or those who graduate and go directly into the workforce or the military.”
Some classes students can take at the center are biomedical sciences, veterinary sciences, engineering design, law enforcement, special education, and auto mechanics.
The Center is open to students across the district regardless of where they live. All the schools under one roof made Karn initially worried.
“I was nervous about it at first, but actually it is a lot of fun getting to meet new people from the different school,” Karn said.
Karn wants to be an anesthesiologist and is taking biomedical sciences to help towards her career.
“Biomedical science is going to help me on my path to becoming an anesthesiologist. I wouldn’t have been able to take this class at Chapin.”
At The Center, Karn and students like her, can learn together.
However there is one draw back and that is transferring to and fromChapinHigh School.
“It’s hard because you have to leave Chapin and if you need to stay for enrichment or a club you may be late.”
Other than the commuting between campuses The Center seems to be a positive move for the district.
Couch feels, “Students need to be able to think critically, problem solve, work in teams, focus on quality and develop skills to become innovative and creative learners. In addition, students need to explore career paths where they have passion. Most employees who have passion for their jobs find contentment and happiness in their career.”
