Project-Based Learning

THINC College and Career Academy Opens Learning Center

• By Leila Meyer
• 08/04/15

THINC College & Career Academy, a new charter-based school with a work-based learning curriculum for high school students, will open in LaGrange, GA on August 10.

Troup County where the school is located is experiencing an economic boom, according to Chad Williams, vice president of Loy's Office Supplies. However, Kathy Carlisle, CEO of the academy, said the county has a high school graduation rate of only 72 percent. The school is funded by local and regional businesses with the goal of preparing students for the workplace or college.

THINC Academy is housed within West Georgia Technical College and includes 14 work-style classrooms, as well as a coffee shop and lobby. The classrooms feature technology-enabled furniture from Bretford Manufacturing's EDU 2.0 line, with tables and chairs that are mobile and reconfigurable for group work and feature built-in power for mobile devices.

High school students in the community will have the option of attending up to two courses per day at the academy, in addition to their coursework at their home high school. According to a press release, the curriculum will focus on virtual learning, project-based assignments and group work. "Students at THINC won’t be sitting in a room taking notes," said Chris Petrick, CEO of Bretford Manufacturing, in a prepared statement. "Instead they will be using their devices, working in teams, and changing the learning environment based on the need."

Initially, the school will be open to grade 11 and 12 students who meet the entrance requirements, with plans to extend enrollment to grade 9 and 10 students within five years. During those five years, the school will also phase in several career pathways, including health science, mechatronics, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, energy, business and marketing.

Further information about the school can be found on the THINC College & Career Academy site.