New Career and Technical Center opens

Wednesday, Aug. 23, was a momentous day for the Arlington ISD as the brand new Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center, a centerpiece of the 2014 Bond program, opened for students.

Ginger Polster, the CTC’s principal, described the memorable day:

"After over three years of planning, today we welcomed students from across the district to the AISD Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. To see the faces of our young adults look upon the CTC and realize the opportunities they now have will forever be etched in my memory. The students expressions and words said it all. Just a few of the many things they said today included:

'How cool is this,'

'I can't believe I get to go to school here,'

'I wish I could stay here,'

'This is unbelievable,'

'I'm going to be able to get a job when I leave here.'

The first day at the CTC was an absolute success, which would not have been possible without the collaborative effort by the entire district to bring this all together, including transportation, food service, IT, facilities and maintenance, central office staff, our teachers and of course our students.”

Though classes are now being held in the CTC, the entire building is not open yet. Construction on part of the building continues. Most of it will be ready in September, but a few classrooms will not open until this winter.  Until more of the building opens, some classes are being held at the AISD Professional Development Center.

Once fully complete, the 169,800 square-foot CTC will offer juniors and seniors from all AISD high schools 27 programs of study, including 17 that are new to the district. More than 4,700 students will attend classes at the CTC and the future Agricultural Science Center each week. Construction of the new Ag Center is scheduled to conclude in October.

See photos from the first day of class and see construction photos.