New high school in Georgia will focus on health science

The Gwinnett County (Ga.) district is preparing to open a $38 million high school that will focus on health science education.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the McClure Health Science High School in Duluth will welcome students next month. The 17-acre campus has more than 300,000 square feet of space.

The school’s curriculum will focus on three areas of concentration in the health fields: clinical, medical support and health information technology.

“We have a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum through the lens of health science,” says Principal Nicole Mosley. “Our goal is to prepare students for a successful collegiate experience and post-secondary career.”

Students are required to complete core classes — math, science, language arts and social studies. But they also have the opportunity to get started on a career before they graduate from high school.

The school will have no competitive sports teams — just intramural activity. The campus does have a gymnasium, large activity room and a dance studio to encourage fitness.

Students also will be encouraged to explore creative outlets with visual and performing arts instruction through theater, band and orchestra offerings.

For the health science curriculum, the facilities rival many post-secondary programs.

With three large lectures halls that have adjoining collaborative spaces, students can engage in hands-on and virtual training in several areas. One goal of the school is to have nearly every student certified in phlebotomy — drawing blood for medical testing. It’s one of the first stages of nursing study.

School officials also would like to see students trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.