Superintendent Grant Rivera today announced that the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) awarded Marietta City Schools a $3.1M grant for a college and career academy. The Marietta High School College and Career Academy (MHS CCA) will be located on the current Marietta High School campus and serve as a catalyst for school and community transformation – ensuring equitable academic access for all students and shaping the future workforce for Marietta and Cobb County.
“Marietta College & Career Academy builds on a shared commitment among education, business, and community leaders to champion the development of the modern workforce and will inspire students to ignite their passion, cultivate their innate abilities, and connect them with workplace opportunities to employ their unique talents,” said Rivera. “The 3.1 million dollar grant will be added to $9 million dollar investment already made by the members of our community through E-SPLOST funds. The opportunity to directly invest $12 million dollars into innovative college and career opportunities will lead to more workplace opportunities and skills, for more Marietta students.”
MHS CCA partners represent a cross-section of Cobb County industries including construction, healthcare, information technology, public safety, engineering, hospitality and other key industries. Additional strong partner support is also found in the Board of Education of the City of Marietta, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Marietta Business Association, and the City of Marietta Office of Economic Development. MHS CCA is fortunate to have a partnership agreement with four outstanding post-secondary colleges and universities, each serving as equal partners: Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia Highlands College, Kennesaw State University, and Life University.
“I am appreciative to our Marietta community members for helping lead these efforts to transform education from a one-size fits all educational model into one that will truly prepare students for great careers for available jobs,” said Tim Brown, Director of Marietta’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Director who led this
initiative for the district. “Marietta is poised to debunk the myth that college and career are separate paths to success. Our students will have opportunities to explore all of their post-high school learning and work opportunities in state-of-the-art classrooms with lessons led by industry professionals.”
MHS CCA partners include: Dr. Ronald Newcomb, President of the Chattahoochee Technical College, Mr. Gary Bottoms, Chairman of the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors, President of the Bottoms Group, LLC, and Chair of the Marietta High School College and Career Academy Steering Committee.
“This grant is a game-changer for our city’s high school,” said Bottoms. “In today’s world, students want options and this academy will allow them to explore all of their aptitudes and interests in a safe space, surrounded by instructors who want to see them succeed
after high school.”
“The whole-school Georgia College & Career Academy model in Marietta will involve career pathways throughout the entire high school campus. Some of the existing physical space will be modified to give our students additional opportunities to prepare for their careers in a variety of meaningful, innovative ways,” added Brown.
Architectural renderings for a new addition to Marietta High School have been proposed by the MHS CCA. Upon receipt of today’s grant, the architectural design will be finalized and approved by the Board of Education and made available for public review. The new addition will match the exterior of the existing campu
s, and have an interior replicating post-secondary education and the workplace – ultimately encouraging workplace skill development and post-secondary readiness.
The school district plans to break ground on construction Summer 2018.
