USD 497’s Patrick Kelly is the director of the new Lawrence College & Career Center (located at 2920 Haskell).
The Center will be open for high school juniors and seniors in the Fall of 2015. It’s mission is to prepare students for their future through hands-on learning experiences in an innovative, engaging environment. With direct input from business and industry leaders, students will have access to technology and curriculum that is relevant and useful.
Earning college credit now, with an opportunity for free tuition, will give students a head start on their future.
Patrick shared that one of the goals was to provide students with a sequential set of classes to explore careers of interest and develop skills in preparation for college and a career.
All courses are two hours in length and students are provided an additional hour for transportation.
Introductory courses allow students to explore a wide variety of careers within the field. Technical level courses focus on specific skills that are needed within the career area. Students who have gained the technical skills within the pathway are eligible to enroll in Application level courses, which provide “real-world” experiences in the classroom with industry mentors or through professional workplace experience. Many courses are eligible for college credit.
USD 497 students also benefit from having The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center located next door and can take advantage of programs and training offered offered through their consortium of community colleges and industries.
