Clarkrange High School is now accredited with TCAT, allowing the school to hold TCAT classes on its campus.
Clarkrange Principal Jason Bradley said the school will soon offer an evening culinary class. Bradley said the culinary classes will be open to adult learners and students on certain weeknights. Bradley said opportunities like this are big for local students.
“Everyone’s going to have different goals, different plans in life,” Bradley said. “And having these opportunities allows them, allows the students to either accelerate their plans or whatever it is to make sure that they’re aligned with what they what to do when they get out.”
Bradley said other programs may be offered for dual enrollment in the future. Bradley said the school currently offers students several CTE programs, but TCAT’s goals will dictate which classes are added to the dual enrollment catalog.
Bradley said getting accredited has been a work in progress over the last couple of years since the school got its new Career and Technical Education building. He said CTE Director Karen Little has been working hard to get and fund new programs.
“Programs we currently offer students in that building are welding and cosmetology,” Bradley said. “We also offer CNA classes as well. So there’s room for expansion in any of those classes or possibly others, depending on [TCAT’s] plans moving forward.
Bradley said students may participate in dual enrollment during the day too. He said the culinary program is currently offered in the morning hours, along with cosmetology. CNA and welding are offered in the afternoon.
Bradley said having the accreditation this close to home can keep students in town longer if they’d like to finish their education nearby.
“Being a dual enrollment student, either through TCAT or Roane State or whatever it is, it just allows them to get those credit hours while they’re in high school,” Bradley said. “So they’re doubling up. They’re getting the high school credit and the college credit while they’re in high school.”
Bradley said the added benefit is allowing students to get an earlier start on their careers when they graduate from high school.
