Something wonderful is happening in Albuquerque, N.M. At the ACE Leadership High School, there are no "ordinary" classrooms. Operated by the Associated General Contractors New Mexico Building Branch, this innovative charter school uses cutting-edge education and highly skilled instructors to prepare young people for successful careers in architecture, construction and engineering professions.
The ACE model is fascinating. Their mission “is to equip young people who love to design and build things to become leaders in the construction profession. We will serve young people who have limited means to have successful careers by caring for their intellectual, physical and emotional well-being as students.” Their four principles are: “Build a reputation," "We’re a family,” “Protect OUR own” and "Do the right thing."
ACE’s values include "earning by doing, every day in every class" and the faculty and administration are committed to “Positive Youth Development, Project Based Learning and the ACE context to guide [their] work.” There also is a commitment “to accomplishing [their] work through partnership” and to being “collaborative in [their] work”. The high school also is "committed to furthering the construction profession and their contributions to the community." I was also impressed by their value of being "accountable to those [they] serve".
The school was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a "Trailblazer and Innovator,” during the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the National Apprenticeship Act in August. Recently, Secretary Hilda Solis visited the school to see the program in action. There, she met with students exploring 3D architecture modeling programs as well as those studying engineering, math and teamwork skills.
This charter school is an excellent example of what is possible when business and industry choose to collaborate with the educational community. Wise communities, particularly those where construction is so important, will embrace this model to engage their own students. While this building trades charter model is not for all students, there is an opportunity to clone this model for other industries. With Millennials worldwide challenging their educational systems, this charter school solution is definitely worth considering.
