Community College of Beaver County’s high school Aviation Academy isn’t just for Beaver County students anymore.
Starting in August 2016, the program will be available to 12 Allegheny County school districts at the Parkway West Career and Technology Center in North Fayette Township. The program is currently available at CCBC’s Aviation Sciences Center at the Beaver County Airport in Chippewa Township.
“This new partnership with the Parkway West Career and Technology Center allows CCBC to utilize classroom space at the center and provides a convenient location for high school students in Allegheny County to earn college credits and get an early start on a promising career,” CCBC President Chris Reber said.
Participating Allegheny County school districts include Cornell, Moon Area, Quaker Valley and West Allegheny.
The dual-enrollment program allows 11th- and 12th-graders to earn credits toward an associate’s degree before graduating high school. Students spend half the day taking classes at their high school and the other half taking courses at a CCBC aviation academy location, earning certifications toward four aviation career paths: professional pilot, air traffic control, aerospace management, and unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones.
CCBC’s Aviation Academy is the only program of its kind in the country, School of Aviation Sciences Dean Bill Pinter said.
“CCBC’s Aviation Academy is all about providing high school students opportunities to earn college credits during their regular school day, explore the aviation industry as a potential career path, and earn flying certifications and ratings that last a lifetime,” Pinter said.
Those interested in the Academy can contact Bill Pinter at 724-480-3604 or visit ccbc.edu/AviationAcademy for more information.