Chattanooga State Community College and Hamilton County Department of Education jointly announce the expansion of the Middle College High School program with the establishment of a Technical Academy.  The Technical Academy at Middle College High School will provide a rigorous and relevant academic program that ensures qualified students develop the essential knowledge and personal skills to advance in higher education and be successful in the global community of the 21st century.  Furthermore, the Technical Academy will offer defined curricula that focus on engineering and industrial technologies.  For high school students interested in business technology courses, a specific concentration targeting business technologies will be available through the Technical Academy at Middle College in the near future. 

A collaboration between Chattanooga State and Hamilton County Department of Education, Middle College High School provides a contemporary option for high school students who are seeking an enriched, robust educational experience.  Middle College students have access to college-level courses that accelerate their education and facilitate a seamless transition to the workforce or to higher education.  Students earn their high school diploma and college credit simultaneously.  The creation of a Technical Academy broadens the Middle College educational program, which currently provides high school students admission into general education courses taught at Chattanooga State.

Dr. Jim Scales, superintendent of Hamilton County Department of Education, underscores the significance of the Technical Academy.  “We want our students to have choices.  With the new Technical Academy, our students have access to a systematic, structured program centered on technology,” says Dr. Scales.  “This endeavor demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring that Hamilton County graduates are highly‐skilled, technologically‐literate and well‐educated.”

Representatives from area businesses and industries were instrumental in the decision to strategically strengthen Middle College High School.  “The Technical Academy also addresses the needs projected by local business and industry, adding a critical and necessary dimension to the powerful partnership we have cultivated with Chattanooga State,” Dr. Scales notes.

In consultation with local business and industry professionals as well high school educators, Chattanooga State developed a series of educational plans for the Technical Academy.  The program director for Engineering Technology, Tim McGhee, and the Tech-Track coordinator, Lyn Price, networked with community leaders to build easy-to-follow plans that are clear, distinct maps, listing the classes students must complete to fulfill the requirements for the specific technology concentration they are considering.  “These educational plans provide exact guidance for Technical Academy students and integrate academic and technical competencies that prepare them for real-world applications,” explains Mr. McGhee.  Currently, Chattanooga State has developed 9 academic plans for the following concentrations in engineering technology.  These programs award an associate of applied science degree to graduates.

  • Civil Engineering Technology

• Construction Engineering Technology

• Design/Drafting Engineering Technology

• Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology-Automated Controls

• Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology-Computer Systems

• Manufacturing Engineering Technology

• Mechanical Engineering Technology

• Non-Destructive Engineering Technology

• Radiation Protection Engineering Technology

Technical Academy students, who are interested in transferring credits to a four-year institution to continue their work towards a baccalaureate degree, have the choice to pursue a technology pathway that confers an associate degree of science in pre-engineering.

Dr. Jim Catanzaro, president of Chattanooga State, emphasizes the challenging expectations students will experience at the Middle College technical academy.  “Every student accepted into the Technical Academy will be studying in a student-oriented environment within a fully-coordinated, technologically-focused academic plan,” says Dr. Catanzaro.  “To enhance student achievement, Chattanooga State faculty will counsel and coach each student.  We expect to graduate mature, knowledgeable, and responsible young adults who are confident, life-long learners.  These individuals will be prepared either to enter the workforce or to continue postsecondary study.”

With access to state‐of‐the‐art, sophisticated equipment and laboratories, Middle College High School students will study with credentialed, accomplished faculty, who continually network with area companies to make certain their courses respond to current workforce demands.  According to Dr. Jim Barrott, vice president for technology at Chattanooga State, the college has invested $2,371,328 in related technology since October 2007, updating and improving equipment and curricula.  “Middle College students will have access to the same top-quality technology and will be learning from the same experienced, talented faculty as those students who have already graduated from high school,” said Dr. Barrott.  “Undoubtedly, these high school students will be gaining an advantage by enrolling in the Technical Academy.”

Students interested in applying for admission to the Middle College High School must score a 19 or higher on the ACT.  Dr. Elaine Swafford, vice president for student affairs at Chattanooga State, urges students and parents to contact the Middle College High School office to review the admissions process.  “We want families to contact us as soon as possible,” urges Dr. Swafford.  “This educational model affords unparalleled support for high school students, and we know that applicants will be excited by the opportunities presented.  Angela Daniel, principal of the Middle College High School, will be able to assist prospective students and their parents.”

For information about applying for admission to Middle College High School, contact Angela Daniel by calling 423.697.3226 or by email at angela.daniel@hcde.org.  Interested students and parents can also call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.  Information about Middle College High School can be found by clicking on the tab for “Future Students.”

For more information about Hamilton County Department of Education, contact Danielle Clark by calling 423.209.8615 or by email at clark_danielle@hcde.org.  Visit the Hamilton County Department of Education’s Web site at www.hcde.org.

For information about Chattanooga State and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of educational programs and support services.

The Hamilton County Department of Education is a nationally-renowned urban school system, educating nearly 41,000 students each day under the guidance of an appointed superintendent and 9-member elected school board.  Hamilton County students are afforded a high quality education with strong community support, active private partnerships, visionary principals and exemplary teachers.  The system is focused on helping students gain the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the 21st Century global marketplace and is proud to have a hand in shaping the future of Hamilton County.