Before the Future Ready Complex opened in August, East View High School student Gracyn Petty had no idea just how many different careers her fellow students were pursuing, from health care
to rocket engineering.
I didn’t know half of these careers existed. I didn’t know people were making rockets at Georgetown [High School]. And then I come here and it’s all in one place. I’m able to see what they’re working on and it’s just amazing to see every student here and how they have passion for something.”
Home to a variety of career-centered programs, the Future Ready Complex provides a central campus with hands-on, industry-level learning experiences for those enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
A CUT ABOVE
Gracyn, who is in the CTE Health Science program, loves the Health Science lab that is larger and more well-equipped than the one she is used to at East View. “Our hospital beds are real hospital beds. We have a simulation lab so we’re able to draw blood from a mannequin. We’re able to do all these things, which really broadens our minds to different aspects that go into the health care career,” she shares. “My mom was a nurse; she didn’t have what I have [when she was in school]. I feel like a lot of students here feel more prepared to go into the career path they want because we have this place where they specialize in our career paths. Here, it’s like each and every career path is a priority.”
LAUNCHING DREAMS
From designing 3-D-printed rocketand drone parts to assembling and racing drones, Everett Amato says his time in the rocketry and drone programs at the Future Ready Complex has been a great hands-on experience. “It helps get us in the complete [career] mindset. It feels like I’m actually at an engineering lab.”
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The community response to the complex has been overwhelmingly positive, says Bretton Schulz, CTE director and Richarte High School’s interim principal. “We have constant requests from the community for tours of the space, as well as ways they can get connected with our programs. I think the biggest response from students and parents is how fortunate we are to have something like this in our community.”
With more than 400 students attending the complex every day — 10 percent of the district’s high school students — the new facility is also helping alleviate overcrowding at Georgetown and East View high schools. “We want this building to serve as a space for all students in GISD. It is critical that we provide opportunities for all students to come and use the space,” Bretton says. “It is designed to inspire ideas, and we need to make sure we are creating space for those.”
The Future Ready Complex also invites members of the public to engage with student programs. The cosmetology space is open to the public from 4 to 7pm on Wednesdays, and the Bridges Boutique now has extended shopping hours Tuesdays through Fridays with one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items made by students. Learn more about the boutique and its products by visiting their Facebook page at TheBridgesBoutique.
LOOKING AHEAD
Phase 2 of the Future Ready Complex will include new programs like cybersecurity, eSports, and advanced manufacturing. Community members can also look forward to GISD’s annual State of the District on March 13. “I hope, though not confirmed, that we will be able to host the event at the FRC and showcase student learning in a whole new way,” GISD Communications Director Melinda Brasher says.