a:25:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"4";s:8:"entry_id";s:0:"";s:6:"sticky";s:0:"";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2010-10-28 08:18 PM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:1:{i:0;s:1:"4";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"4";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:46:"Construction Careers Center Nears 10-Year Mark";s:9:"url_title";s:46:"construction_careers_center_nears_10_year_mark";s:4:"save";s:10:"Quick Save";s:11:"field_id_26";s:46:"Construction Careers Center Nears 10-Year Mark";s:11:"field_ft_26";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_31";s:0:"";s:11:"field_id_44";s:251:"The St. Louis Construction Careers Center will celebrate 10 years of its nationally-groundbreaking effort toward diversity at a fundraiser Feb. 10, 2011 at the Millennium Hotel in Downtown St. Louis. Proceeds will support the school\'s endowment fund.";s:11:"field_ft_44";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_28";s:32:"construction careers center, agc";s:11:"field_ft_28";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_29";s:4621:"<p>The St. Louis Construction Careers Center will celebrate 10 years of its nationally-groundbreaking effort toward diversity at a fundraiser Feb.   10, 2011 at the Millennium Hotel in Downtown St. Louis. Proceeds will support the school\'s endowment fund.Founded by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis and the St. Louis Construction Industry, The Construction Careers Center is committed to preparing interested St. Louis High School Students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for entry into a career pathway in the St. Louis construction industry.</p>
<p><strong>Governance</strong><br /></p>
<p>The Construction Careers Center is a public, independent tuition-free high school that is operated by a nine member Board of Education representing the St. Louis Contractors, Unions, Educational Community, and Parents.  Currently, Paul J. Shaughnessy, President of BSI Constructors, Inc., serves as the Chairman of the Board of Education.  In addition to the Board Members, the school receives guidance from the various advisory and curriculum committees representing all aspects of the construction industry.</p>
<p><strong>Curriculum</strong><br /></p>
<p>The Construction Careers Center is the first charter high school for construction in the nation.  Construction applications are integrated into all aspects of the curriculum and used as the instrument to help students develop: 1.) creative problem-solving skills, 2.) math competencies, and 3.) an appreciation for and an understanding of the building community and the impact it has on our quality of life.</p>
<p><strong>Features</strong><br /></p>
<p>All students are substance abuse tested, required to wear uniforms daily, are required to participate in community service-learning opportunities, and are exposed to the union building and construction trades, both basic and specialty.  The students are taught by certificated staff with a low 20:1 student/teacher ratio.  Classes are taught in a building especially designed for, and by, the construction industry.</p>
<p>The school currently has over 440 students enrolled in grades 9 - 12. The school will continue to add a class of freshmen each year until the school reaches a total enrollment of 500 students.</p>
<p><strong>Admissions</strong><br /></p>
<p>The Construction Careers Center is a tuition-free, independent public high school for grades 9 through 12.   Construction Careers Center is looking for students who have an interest in construction, and earnestly want to learn and prepare for a future in construction.  It is a challenging, academic curriculum thoroughly infused with construction applications.   A personal interview is a required part of the admissions process.</p>
<p><strong>High Expectations</strong><br /></p>
<p>A contract among the parents, students and school includes strict codes of conduct, attendance, and uniform dress.  The school operates on a 200 day school year and students are promoted on their academic achievement.  Articulation agreements are being developed with the various apprenticeship programs to bridge the gap between school and work.</p>
<p>In an October 7th article on the <em>American Spectator</em> website, Christopher Orlet wrote, \"...our urban school boards remain convinced that the only way to end urban poverty is for inner-city students to go on to a liberal arts college. Instead of putting a slide rule or a soldering iron in his hand, the teacher hands him a Maya Angelou novel. No wonder he drops out sophomore year. Who could blame him?</p>
<p>\"How much better if the St. Louis Public Schools followed the example of rural school districts and offered more vocational programs where you learned how to repair a carburetor, or, like the students across town at the Construction Careers Center, how to build an eco-friendly house. CCC is the first charter high school for construction in the nation. Because the city board of education has little interest in vocational schooling, CCC was instead founded by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis and the local construction industry. When students graduate, many enter a building trades apprenticeship program.</p>
<p>\"What\'s more, CCC scored the fourth highest of the 13 St. Louis public high schools in advanced math, outperforming all regular high schools and four magnet schools. The website says 98 percent of graduating students are either working or attending college. About 30 percent enter the construction industry.\"</p>
<p>For more information about the upcoming fundraiser, contact AGC of St. Louis at 314.781.2356.</p>
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