The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy was held on Tuesday, August 12 at 10:00 a.m.  The ceremony officially opened the new charter school which has been a community effort involving Floyd County Schools, Coosa Valley Technical College and the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.  A number of local and state dignitaries attended the event including Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.  When the charter was approved for the new school, Cagle hailed it as delivering on a promise to Georgia’s students to provide a new and innovative approach to education.  

The school was given a facelift over the summer with new paint and signage to welcome students this school year.  A $3.2 million addition that will house the new School of Engineering and Robotics is underway and is scheduled to be ready for students next fall.  The funding for the addition was provided by a grant from the state.  According to Dr. Bob Puckett, deputy superintendent for Floyd County Schools, the system will use the grant money, coupled with other in-kind donations and contributions, to build a 16,000 square foot building to house the automated engineering and industrial systems robotics labs and classrooms for the new charter school.  Dr. Puckett said, “Construction is already underway for the College of Engineering and Robotics and we are on schedule to open the new facility next fall.”

The local Floyd County partnership has developed a school that will provide students with a seamless transition between high school and college.  Involvement from the school system, Coosa Valley Technical College and local businesses and industries has made this plan a reality.  The Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy, through an online needs assessment, identified the needs of employers in the community to match the course work being offered at the school to areas of need identified by businesses in the community.   Businesses have found that partnering with the career academies in this way provides a uniquely relevant and prepared workforce.   Participation by technical colleges with career academies ensures that students can make a seamless transition from high school to college programs.  As a result of this community partnership, high school students will be exposed to the requirements of college coursework and the expectations of business and industry.