Arkansas High students taking certain technical courses this fall will do so on the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana campus by Bobby Ferguson Park.
The medical CNA and industrial maintenance courses formerly taught at the Career Center will be taught at the college and will count for concurrent college credit, along with the career and technical courses still being taught at the high school.
"We still have our CTE (Career Technical Education) department at the high school," AHS Principal Michael Odom said. Those include courses in business, robotics, computer science, engineering, Razorback TV, broadcasting, media and a new film class.
"They are all still at the high school in the CTE department," Odom said.
AHS will no longer offer cosmetology, criminal justice and autobody classes.
For now, the welding program will remain at the high school until UAHT completes a building to include welding, which will be a ways down the road, Odom said.
"Partnering with the college is just going to strengthen the level of courses that they get," Odom said of students taking the courses at the college. "They will be will be taught by college professors. It definitely elevates the program."
The district is currently auctioning surplus items no longer needed, which include office furniture, cosmetology furniture, shampoo bowls, printing equipment and other items. They can bee seen at www.nuttauction.com.
Moving the classes is part of a partnership the high school has with the college to provide students with career path options, including the Collegiate Academy and the Flex Academy.
The Collegiate Academy will give students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school. The program is also offered in conjunction with UAHT and students will attend classes on the campus and receive both a high school diploma and an associate's degree upon graduation.
The Flex Academy allows students to work and earn high school credit at the same time. The program is offered in cooperation with Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative and gives students a flexible school day. The current model has students attending two half-days a week and them working the rest of the days. Flex students get high school credit for their employment.
For more information on the programs, go to www.tasd7.net.