The Tacoma Business Academy (TBA), in partnership with Bates Technical College and Communities in Schools, began a year ago to give young adults ages 16 to 21 who have dropped out a chance to complete high school and increase their career prospects. Today there is a waiting list, pending additional staffing. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, TBA will hold its second Back to School open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bates Technical College, 1101 South Yakima Ave.
The focus is for students to complete high school and take business, marketing or information technology classes with the opportunity to explore other technical training programs. Students in the academy are enrolled in the Tacoma Public Schools, and will also have access to other resources such as online learning and Bates’ program offerings.
John Page, assistant director of Career and Technical Education, said that an article in The News Tribune last year generated interest among perspective students, families and school personnel. The learning and successes of last year served as the foundation for expanding the vision and student body for this school year. Page said, “Our student enrollments have increased to 44 students and we added staffing: from 1.5 to 2.0 full-time teachers, plus we were able to retain the 1.0 Community Resource Specialist from Tacoma Communities In Schools. We also have a waiting list of additional students to enroll in Term 2, pending a proposal for additional staffing.”
“The student success and the progress made by the dedicated staff at TBA is worthy of highlighting,” Page pointed out. “For example, two of the students who were dual-enrolled in TBA and Bates Technical College completed the year by graduating from Bates Technical High School. Tacoma Business Academy truly is a unique small learning community, focused on contextual learning in business education, in a culture created for respect of positive relationship.”
Contact John Page at 253.571.1126 for more information about the Tacoma Business Academy or the open house.