Los Angeles Unified School District board President Monica Garcia, center, is surrounded by students and staff at Wilson High School in El Sereno Saturday for the ribbon cutting for the Transportation Careers Academy Program at the school. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Created:
Mar 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM PST
EL SERENO — The Los Angeles Unified School District unveiled a $1 million state-of-the-art Transportation Careers Academy at Wilson High School Saturday. The students and teachers of the 72 year-old high school now attend classes in newly renovated classrooms.
The transformation was made possible through $800,000 in qualified zone academy bond funds. The renovation provides Transportation Careers Academy Program students dedicated classrooms, including a classroom equipped with transportation-related technology.
“Through this program Wilson High School students will receive a quality educational environment dedicated to developing lifelong learners who are prepared to participate creatively and productively in shaping the future,”
LAUSD school board President Mónica García said. “Students will learn first-hand what it takes to work in the transportation industry and this is an excellent added benefit to their education.”
The Transportation Careers Academy Program has grown from the 70 students in fall 1993 to a present number of 162 students.
“This space is a model for 21st Century schools. Its real value will be the experiences the students have inside and the opportunity to interface with transportation professionals,” LAUSD Deputy Chief Executive for Existing Facilities Bruce Kendall said.
The program provides cross-disciplinary instruction in the principle, practices and workplace requirements of the transportation industry. A longtime partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority allows students to experience tasks similar to those in business, industry and technology.
“Our goal as administrators is to provide all of our students … with the skills and confidence to successfully pursue viable post high school options. The Transportation Careers Academy definitely puts our students on that path,” Wilson High Principal Roberto Martinez said.
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s $7.6 billion existing facilities modernization and repair program remains one of the most comprehensive in the country. Since the start of the modernization program with the passage of Proposition BB in 1997 and Measures K, R and Y, the program has completed more than 18,000 projects.
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