To accompany the press release from the Lt. Governor’s office – https://tcsg.edu/tcsg-announces-four-new-college-and-career-academics/

Fitzgerald, GA – Fitzgerald High School College and Career Academy (FHSCCA), in partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, will provide students with advanced courses and career pathways that will give them a head start in technical and professional careers, setting students on the fast track to a successful future. One of Fitzgerald High School College and Career Academy’s goals is to secure a next generation workforce that effectively closes the skills gap and boosts the regional economy. The motto of the FHSCCA is to prepare, train, and succeed.

The FHSCCA will offer over 20 different innovative pathways and dual enrollment programs, career coaching and guidance, professional and work-based learning opportunities, and technical industry certificates. The career pathways will be aligned into four academies: Ag, Manufacturing and Industrial Academy (AIM Academy) which include trade and industrial academies such as railcar repair, welding, automotive, auto body, and agriculture; Education and Human Services will include early childhood care and education, teaching as a profession, family consumer science, cosmetology, and JROTC; Allied Health Services Academy will include health occupations and certified nursing assistant,; the STEAM Academy will include music/arts, computer science, technology, business, and higher level core courses (AP/MOWR), college academic preparation. In addition, a Freshmen Discovery Academy for ninth graders began this year and includes career and academies exploration, academic foundations, soft skills, college testing preparation, college and career portfolio development/updating.

Pictured L-R: Mark Peevy, TCSG Assistant Commissioner, Secondary Education Initiatives; Anne Kaiser, Chairman of TSCG State Board, April McDuffie, Associate VP of Wiregrass, and FHSCCA Board of Directors Chairman; Dr. Mark Sutton, Ben Hill County Schools CTAE Executive Director; Wanda Kimbrell, Ben Hill County Schools Director of Pupil Services; Dawn Clements, Fitzgerald High School Principal; Gary Smith, Ben Hill County Schools Chairman of the Board of Education; Dr. Shawn Haralson, Ben Hill County Schools Superintendent; Dr. Shawn Utley, Wiregrass Tech Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; Jenny Williams, Director, Office of College & Career Transitions; Dr. Tina K. Anderson, Wiregrass Tech President, Dee Cook, Ben Hill County Schools Academic Coach; Dr. Thad Clayton, Irwin County Schools Superintendent, and Matt Arthur, TCSG Commissioner.

The grant award will be used toward the building of the new high school. Some initiatives of the FHSCCA have already been implemented such as senior capstone projects, integration of academic and technical courses, and the Freshmen Discovery Academy. However, the College and Career Academy will be fully implemented once the new building opens.

“The realignments and structure of course offerings will only strengthen the success of our graduates, graduation rates, and the workforce of our community. Our students will be better prepared for college and/or their chosen career.” stated Superintendent Shawn Haralson.

Students will select the academy to enter after the completion of the Freshmen Discovery Academy. Students will utilize previously-developed graduation plans to guide their progression of course work throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior year. However, students will have the option of changing their pathway if desired as they currently can now. In addition, by realigning the pathways, academic classes will be integrated into each academy. All student activities such as band, show choir, sports, student organizations, and so forth will continue into the FHSCCA, and the great tradition of the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes will continue.

The FHSCCA also partners with Irwin County High School. Any Irwin County High School student who desires a career pathway that is offered at FHSCCA, but not at ICHS, can enroll in those courses. Irwin County Schools Superintendent Thad Clayton stated, “We are excited to partner with Ben Hill County to offer our students more choices. Both of our communities need a skilled work force. With 30% of our graduates going directly to work, we have no choice but to ensure they are trained in high school for the careers in our community.”

The FHSCCA is governed by the FHSCCA Board of Directors. These members include: Charles Backes, Valdosta State University (ex officio); Stan Bryant, The Raynor Company; Dr. Thad Clayton, Irwin County Schools (ex officio); Dawn Clements, Fitzgerald High School Principal (ex officio); Jason Dunn Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Development Authority; David Garrison, Southern Veneer; Sonya Gallegos, Rancho Grande; Becky Gay, CIS (ex officio); Michael Hancock, Watco; Dr. Shawn Haralson, BHCS (ex officio); Holley Lee, Dorminy Medical Center; April McDuffie, Wiregrass; Vanessa Melton, Monitor Enrichment Program; Shane Sapp, Community Bank; Christine Stone, MDI; Dr. Mark Sutton, BHCS (ex officio); Steve Taylor, Southern Physical Therapy; and Dr. Shawn Utley, Wiregrass (ex officio).

Release submitted by the Fitzgerald High School College and Career Academy Board.