After 6 years of educating high school students from 6 local school systems, including Eagle Grove, yet another class of Eagle Grove 8th graders got their first taste of college with a visit to the Iowa Central Career Academy.
Students got the chance to try big industrial factory equipment hands-on, as well as to explore the medical and marketing fields, among other lessons. One very surprising lesson to many was when they found out that they can actually attend the Academy, as full fledged students of Iowa Central college, absolutely free. With no cost at all for tuition, textbooks, or materials. Another that seemed welcome to many was that as full fledged students, they can attend the college events on the Iowa Central campus, such as Tritons games. And they found out that at the Academy they have the opportunity to make more friends, from among new classmates from the five other high schools that send students there.
During the visit, Career Academy instructors Barb Thompson, Dooley Debi Gardini, Floyd Perry, and Joel Collins discussed the various career pathways offered at the Academy with students. And active Career Academy students stepped up to lead, and helped in classrooms as well.
"Our 8th graders spent the morning at the Iowa Central Career Academy, learning about opportunities they can take advantage of as EGHS students," read a post by the Middle School on Facebook. Making the point that not all school systems in Iowa offer high school students a chance at a free college education the way Eagle Grove and the other Career Academy supporting schools do.
The excitement was echoed on the Career Academy's page. "Wow! What a great morning!" the post crowed about the event. Students learned that the Academy is FREE with no cost for tuition, textbooks or materials. Thank you Eagle Grove Community Schools for allowing the students to attend.
