The California Aerospace Academy (CAA), a Grant Community Charter school, has just finished their very first year of operation. The North Sacramento News was fortunate enough to join them for their year-end open house where Principal Willie Charles Thomas II so aptly stated that CAA is setting the tone for the future – helping to fill the gaps in math and science created by the fact that the Baby Boomers are retiring!
To help accomplish this goal, CAA is introducing a new program in the 2008-09 school year called “Project Lead the Way”. This program prepares students for college with its three levels of participation: 1. Principles of Engineering – including a medical science engineering option where advanced technologies for things such as hip and knee replacements can be made. 2. Introduction to Engineering Design – giving design experience with hands-on computer education. 3. Digital Electronics – heavy math and science focus, circuit making for automation for such things as advancements in vending machines, etc.
The current student body is about 80% male, which is not surprising with the focus on aviation and aerospace. They are well on their way to accomplishing their goal of increasing female attendance! Ciera, 13 and her 11 year old sister Kayci are registered and very excited about attending CAA in the fall. They both said that they developed an interest in aeronautics after completing a program in 5th grade called “Starbase” where they “made mini-rockets, then exploded them”. The girls are looking forward to improving their rocket-making skills while further exploring the world of aerospace at CAA. Their mother added that CAA has given them a way for the girls to avoid mainstream junior high. Their father was the only parent to voice the question, “Can parents attend this school?” during the assembly.
Speaking of avoiding mainstream junior high and high school, we also had the opportunity to speak with Julie who is “one of the school’s favorite parents”. Julie’s son Justin has just completed 7th grade at CAA, where he has maintained his high academic scores and attendance while being able to happily adjust to life in junior high with the smaller student-to-teacher ratios offered at CAA. According to Julie, Justin loves the school and all of its programs even though he doesn’t necessarily have plans to continue in aviation or aeronautics after high school. He went to a mainstream junior high for one day after starting school at CAA this past fall, but quickly realized that CAA offered exactly what he needed. He is already enrolled once again for the 2008-09 year.
The majority of the students are attending CAA because of their desire to advance in the fields of aviation and/or aerospace technology. Tim R. is a 14 year old young man that plans to enlist in the Air Force after high school; and to him, CAA is the best vehicle to prepare him now to accomplish this plan. Tim’s favorite class is Science, and as he explained each student participates in the core classes of math, science, social studies and English in the morning. The afternoon has them going back in to math, science and social studies classes that are specifically focused on aviation and aerospace.
Paul J., another student at CAA and close friend of Tim’s, says that he plans to become an engineer, and is definitely looking forward to “Project Lead the Way” being introduced to the curriculum next year.
The CAA staff of educators includes actual retired airline pilots. This allows them to offer pilot training, where many of the students could find themselves possessing a pilot’s license before they are eligible to get their driver’s license. There are many other opportunities available to the students of CAA such as airport grounds crew, aerospace technician/mechanic as well as the aerospace engineer courses.
I now join Ciera and Kayci’s dad in asking, “Can adults attend CAA?” If you, too, are interested, Principal Thomas says that adult and parent volunteers are welcome. Check out the web site below to contact to the school to find out more about volunteering.
Although Grant Community Charter Schools are sponsored by local school districts, children are not limited by school district boundaries in determining their eligibility for attending CAA. If you are interested in more information on the California Aerospace Academy, please visit their web site at www.caacharter.org. Please keep in mind that space is limited, so sign up early if you think that CAA might be the right fit for your child.