This school year, Life School began its partnership with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to provide occupational skills training for high school students at Oak Cliff and Waxahachie campuses. The partnership supports Life School’s commitment to help students become “ready for life” through college, career or military readiness.
Students participated in their initial orientation at the TSTC campus on August 28 and were anxious to get started. Life High School Waxahachie student Camellia Oliverez who is studying structural welding said, "I like that we actually get to weld, and it is fun." Another welding student, Andrew Villarreal said, "What I've liked best is being able to be hands on the second day and learning how to take machines apart."
Life High School Oak Cliff student Paul Perez who is studying HVAC repair said, “I like it. The campus is set up nicely for the goals that I want to achieve in life.” Diesel Mechanics student Raul Lujan added, “TSTC is a building block for our futures as professionals, and we are grateful for this life changing opportunity."
Texas State Technical College is a higher education institution offering technical vocational education to meet Texas workforce needs. Starting this Fall, Life School high school students have the opportunity to participate in dual-credit courses offered in Cybersecurity, Diesel Equipment Technology, Welding Technology and HVAC Technology.
The new partnership with TSTC expands the Career and Technical Education offerings at Life School. The district already offered programs of study in Arts, Audio Visual Technology and Communications, Business, Marketing and Finance, Education and Training, Health Science, Information Technology and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The district also offers dual credit through partnerships with Dallas College and Navarro College. However, the TSTC partnership expands dual credit choices in occupational skills in other high-need vocations.
The TSTC programs require students to begin the coursework in their junior year of high school and continue into their senior year. Upon completion, students receive an Occupational Skills Award in their respective programs. After high school, students then have the option to further their credentials through TSTC, including the option to earn an associates degree.
The courses for Diesel Equipment Technology, Welding Technology and HVAC follow a hybrid model. Students attend classes two days per week at their high school campus and two days each week at TSTC. Courses for Cybersecurity are online-only through TSTC, which allows students to participate in the course from their high school campus. For the hybrid programs, Life School provides transportation for students to and from TSTC.
Life School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Manager said, “Life School is constantly looking for ways to better prepare students for life after high school. We are committed to preparing students for college, a career or the military, whichever is best for our students. Our new partnership with TSTC allows students to graduate from high school ready to work in areas of high need.“
New enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is ongoing depending upon campus availability. Interested families can apply by visiting lifeschool.net/apply.
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Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Red Oak, Oak Cliff and Waxahachie, TX. Life School develops leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. Its mission is accomplished in part through the financial support of donors who provide scholarships and embrace making students ready to learn, ready to lead and ready for life.
Parents who are interested in enrollment can visit lifeschool.net/learn-about-life. Partners who would like to support Life School financially can give online at lifeschool.net/give.
