Changes coming to 21st Century Academies

Drew Houfek, Reporter
November 21, 2016

Big changes are coming to the 21st Century Academies at South and around the district.

For starters, multiple academies such as CaSE (Computer and Software Engineering) will be receiving new names (now Computer Science Academy) and logos.

“I hope the new name will recruit new members because the CaSE name was confusing for a lot of the eighth graders who were enrolling in the programs,” said Tim Shipley, Computer Science Academy facilitator.

Also, two new academies will open here starting next year: BIOengineering and Business Finance.

The BIOengineering academy will focus on getting students involved in a variety of both health and engineering topics through real-world collaboration with people working in medicine. It will be led by Jeff Witters as a four-year transfer program, which means that eighth graders from all around the district will be able to apply.

Business Finance will also be a four-year transfer program that emphasizes giving students real world knowledge in finance and investments through guest speakers and by the students’ senior year, getting professional internships for each student at a company or corporation.

“It will be an excellent opportunity to put you a step above other students when it comes to getting a job,” Cindy O’Brien, Business Finance facilitator, said.

Besides eighth graders, current freshmen will also be able to apply for these new academies.

Another big change coming is the end of PCA, or Professional Careers Academy. It will no longer be enrolling new members starting next year and will end entirely once the current Freshman Class has graduated.

“The new academies will provide students with lots of new opportunities, but we’ve had such a rich history with PCA,” Ruth Ann Falls, PCA facilitator, said. “It’s bittersweet.”

 

The following is a list of each four-year 21st Century Academy in the Olathe School District for next school year:

 

Olathe South

  • Computer Science Academy
  • Business Finance Academy*
  • BIOengineering Academy*

 

Olathe North

  • Animal Health Academy
  • Distinguished Scholars Academy
  • Sports Medicine & Exercise Academy
  • Medical Professions Academy*

Olathe East

  • Civic Leadership Academy
  • Design Academy
  • Future Educators Academy*
  • Geoscience Academy*

 

Olathe Northwest

  • Engineering Academy
  • e-Communication Academy

 

Olathe West

  • Public Safety Academy*
  • Green Tech Academy*

 

*= new academy