(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, at a pep rally for students and families, Mayor Muriel Bowser officially opened the new, permanent home of the Advanced Technical Center (ATC). The ATC allows students to earn college credits and industry certifications while remaining enrolled in their DC public school or public charter school. The dual-enrollment Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students for careers in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand disciplines.

 

“Whether it is the Advanced Technical Center, our many Career and Technical Education Programs, our after school clubs and sports teams, our internships, or any of the many programs we have for high school students in DC – we want families and teens to know about what’s available,” said Mayor Bowser. “We are grateful for the partnership of Trinity and UDC to bring these experiences to life for our students, and I am incredibly proud of the young people who are seizing this opportunity to earn college credit and prepare themselves for a career.”

 

The ATC, which is operated and managed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), opened last school year at their temporary home on the campus of Trinity Washington University. Trinity’s partnership with OSSE made the ATC a reality, and Trinity staff will continue to teach at the ATC in the 2023-24 school year. In the new location, staff from both Trinity and the University of the District of Columbia will instruct and mentor students in a variety of disciplines.

 

This school year, the ATC is set to serve nearly 200 students from all eight wards, representing 13 high schools. Students will have access to coursework in cybersecurity and nursing, and are able to earn college credits while attending the ATC. During the 2022-23 school year, students attending the ATC earned a total of 740 college credits – worth approximately $625,000 in tuition – at no cost to students or their families. More than 87 percent of students who completed courses during the inaugural year at the ATC returned for the 2023-24 school year.

 

“ATC students learn skills and earn industry credentials and professional licenses that give them a competitive edge when it comes to getting high-wage, high-demand, high-growth careers in the District. The ATC also helps meet the needs of our industry partners in DC,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “Through the ATC and the District’s other career and technical education programming, ATC students and thousands of other DC students will have the opportunity to enter the workforce or go on to college with the education, skills and experience needed to be successful.”

In addition to awarding students college credits, the ATC also allows students in every program access to industry credentials and paid internship opportunities to increase their exposure to their chosen field.

 

“This $10.3 million facility, built by DGS, will ensure our next generation of professionals can learn and thrive in a comfortable and joyful space. With world-class facilities including critical interior improvements, a new welcome center, science and technology labs, and more—this facility will support generations of DC students and DC excellence,” said Department of General Services Acting Director Delano Hunter. “As we head into the first days of school next week, DGS is not only working across all eight wards to ensure schools are ready on day one, but we are ensuring that we continue to grow with new facilities like the DC Advanced Technical Center."

 

The ATC is part of a larger effort by the District to reimagine the high school experience through new and expanded opportunities. The District has invested than $30 million in recovery funds have been invested to create paid internship programs, increase the number of dual-enrollment seats available for students, and expand CTE program access to more middle school students, among other initiatives. The new ATC location represents an initial investment of $10.3 million of these funds. Find more information on the District’s efforts to invest in high school programs HERE.

Last week, Mayor Bowser released the 2023 Back to School Guide, which parents and caregivers can use to find programs like the ATC that match their child’s interests and goals. Find the Back to School Guide at backtoschool.dc.gov.

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