Recently enacted state laws and new educational offerings have boosted enrollment at Golden Isles Career Academy to record levels, officials at the academy say.
There are 577 students enrolled at the career academy in the fall semester, an 11.8% increase over fall 2023, GICCA Principal and Career Technical and Agricultural Education Director Joseph Depenhart said. It is the most ever for a single semester.
The academy also has the most dual enrolled students in its 15-year history, he said.
The growth is facilitated by new instructors teaching in new pathways who are supported by recently enacted legislation promoting career education, Depenhart said.
“We’ve increased capacity through several strategic moves over the past two years to get to this point,” he said. “We added an introduction to construction instructor who lays the foundation for our advanced pathways in welding, machining, carpentry, electrical and heavy equipment operations.”
The academy also added an instructor for the state’s workforce ready career pathway. It focuses on soft skills like communication, critical thinking, teamwork and work ethic.
“Work ethic amounts to 20% of a student’s grade in any pathway at GICCA,” Depenhart said. “By creating a pathway that focuses on work ethic, we can ensure students will be successful not just in our pathways but in the world of work as well.”
Statewide workforce development support from state lawmakers and the Georgia Department of Education have created an environment that has allowed homeschool students to enroll at the academy. Fourteen homeschool students are taking classes at GICCA this semester.
A law enacted this past legislative session, Senate Bill 440, also created the Accelerated Career Diploma Program which allows students to earn a high school diploma by completing an associate’s degree, technical college diploma or two technical certificates of credit.
“Technically, students can graduate high school in their junior year. At GICCA, we have several pathways, including welding, nursing and HVAC that are eligible for this program,” Depenhart said. “It requires hard work, but for the right student who wants to move into high-demand careers, it’s a great option.”
Seven students are set to graduate this fall through the program, he said.
GICCA CEO and Workforce Strategy Leader Brian Weese said new programs have also helped enrollment grow. Recent program additions include dental science, heavy equipment operations and fire and emergency services.
“We work closely with our community to determine where the workforce needs are,” Weese said. “A group of local dentists came to us and asked for a dental assisting program. Thanks to the hard work of the faculty and administrators here at GICCA and with the support of these dentists, we were able to stand up a program very quickly.”
Local dentists supplied chairs, equipment and supplies and helped raise nearly $80,000 through the Peach Education Tax Credit program.
“Businesses can essentially direct their state income tax dollars to support local education, and we in turn can use those funds to provide the programs businesses need. It’s a win-win,” Weese said.
Dual enrollment has increased substantially the last four years, he said. In 2020, there were only 50 students in the dual enrollment program, through which students earn college credit from Coastal Pines Technical College.
This semester, the academy expects 300 dual enrollment students.
The growth in dual enrollment shows that GICCA is a great place for all students, especially those who want to pursue college after high school, Weese said.
“For the majority of our students, college is still the right choice and we want all of our students to have that option,” he said.
The academy is offering English and psychology classes through Coastal Pines as well to support more college-bound students.
“Now students can earn both technical Dual Enrollment and academic Dual Enrollment in one place, giving students many more career options,” Weese said.