Albertville Innovation Academy welcomes students for its first year

This story is by WAFF 48's Savannah Sapp. The link to the original story can be found here.

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - A new world of opportunities has just opened up for students in Albertville. The new Albertville Innovation Academy (AIA) opened up along with the first day of school and is already welcoming hundreds of students.

“We’ve got a lot of college-bound kids here, and we’ve got a lot of kids that are going to be workforce-ready,” said AIA Principal Tyler Reeves.

That’s the goal for the new magnet school, according to Principal Reeves.

The career tech campus is designed for students in dual enrollment, Albertville’s Virtual Academy, and those in career-focused courses.

“We’ve got additive manufacturing, precision machinery, and also welding. We’ve got teaching and training, we’ve got health science,” said Principal Reeves of the career pathways currently offered at the Academy.

Students can also take courses in television production, animal science, plant science and much more. A full list of the career pathways can be found here.

Reeves says some of these pathways were offered at the high school, but increased interest and enrollment encouraged school leaders to add more. Reeves says just under 3,000 students are currently enrolled in career courses at the innovation academy.

Superintendent Bart Reeves says students at the Innovation Academy spend their day on a block system, which means extra time in their perspective careers.

“Now, in the magnet school for our kids that are enrolled in the magnet schools, they’ve got up to 90 minutes to perfect their craft. That’s one of the advantages in my eyes,” said Superintendent Reeves.

Most of all, Superintendent Reeves says, with a variety of courses in dual enrollment and career tech, all students will be well-prepared to step out into the world.

“You know do I want to start working in a career first, do I want to go straight to college? We’re going to prep our students and let them decide the best career pathway for them,” said Superintendent Reeves.

Principal Tyler Reeves said school leaders will evaluate the school year at its conclusion and decide on implementing new programs and increasing the number of enrolled students.

An official grand opening ceremony with an appearance from Governor Kay Ivey will be held on October 24.