Career-based high school set to open in Mesquite, Texas

The Mesquite (Texas) district is about to open a high school focused on providing industry and building professional skills for students.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Vanguard High School is a 250,000-square-foot high school that will serve about 2,000 students in the Mesquite district.

Instead of pushing all students to pursue higher education upon graduation, Vanguard is trying to build a local pipeline to industry — while still providing students with the basic core education needed to pursue college if they choose.

Vanguard students will enroll in one of four schools--construction science, engineering, health science or technology.

Those schools offer a total of 16 programs, such as  firefighting, engineering, dental assistance, automotive technology and graphic design, in which students can earn professional certifications.

The facility will feature a central open commons area, four classroom wings, a walking trail, courtyards and outdoor learning spaces.

The collegiate-like campus will have administrators with titles of dean or associate dean instead of principal. Many of the faculty members have received an alternative teaching certificate and have industry backgrounds.

WRA Architects is the architect, and Pogue Construction is the construction manager.