“The opportunities offered at the Legacy Campus are something you don't see often,” says Sean Aldrich, a student at the DCSD Legacy Campus. “We are extremely lucky to have the opportunity in high school to get a head start in our career path.”
With the passing of a bond in 2018, the Legacy Campus opened in 2023, giving Juniors and Seniors from Douglas County schools the opportunity to cultivate future careers through specific pathways. They currently offer nine Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways: Advanced Robotics, Architectural Engineering, Aviation/Transportation, Building Controls, Technology, Culinary/Hospitality Management, EMT/EMS, Future Educator, Nursing (CNA) and Secure Network Technologies.
“The DCSD Legacy Campus is a dream come true – representing an incredible investment by the community into the future of Douglas County,” says Erin Kane, Superintendent of the Douglas County School District.
Investing in this innovative, hands-on learning experience proved an asset to students, as the first year showed remarkable data. Of the 400 students who attended the Legacy Campus for the 2023-2024 school year, 92% graduated, receiving 3,391 college credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.51, the second highest GPA of the DCSD high schools. College credits enable families to save on future tuition expenses and Legacy Campus students saved $1,081,230!
In addition to the incredible academic statistics, Legacy students rave about their experiences, as they acknowledge Legacy’s value.
“I loved being a part of such a huge opportunity for my education,” exclaims student Caleb Ciano. “It really got my foot in the door for future employment.”
Students attend classes at the Legacy Campus twice a week for a portion of their regular school day, with transportation provided. All Legacy classes contribute to high school credits for practical arts or electives and include field trips, events, job shadowing, apprenticeships and more. With a 96% attendance rate, this learning style is proving its worth.
“The Legacy Campus is a place where students can find their pathway and passion in life. It’s also a place where partnerships between the school district, colleges and universities, businesses, industries and municipalities truly come to life,” Erin emphasizes.
As the students progress through the program, they embark on a path specific to their interests with opportunities to network with preferred employers. Not only do these students have a higher graduation rate, but the program also increases their employability. According to the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium, graduates of high school CTE programs are 4.1% more employable and receive $141 more per quarter in earnings.
Student Ashley Brick explains, "I loved the opportunity to learn alongside people who share the same goals and mindset as me, and getting to take classes where I never had to ask myself ‘when will I use this’ because all of it connected to what I want to pursue."
Schools like the Legacy Campus provide the required high school credits and offer a college atmosphere, helping students prepare for their future while enjoying more independence and accountability.
"My favorite part of being a Legacy student is the fact that you can get a feel for what it's like to be a college student and have more responsibility than you would in high school," explains Joseline Fernandez.
As the county invests in the students, the community reaps the benefits. Building partnerships with local businesses fosters growth for companies and future employees. Everything from sponsoring events, marketing opportunities and tax-deductible donations helps contribute to the local economy, enhancing the investment of the Legacy Campus.
In addition to partnerships, the Legacy Campus provides our community with a fantastic event space. Since its inception, the campus has hosted over 100 events, from graduations, career fairs and spelling bees to bar mitzvahs and weddings. The local impact of this stellar space reaches far and wide throughout the county.
The success of the Legacy Campus has been paramount for many families and the investment is just beginning. In 2024, taxpayers approved funding for Phase II of the Legacy Campus. This bond will allow for necessary maintenance, security upgrades and additional CTE pathways like Carpentry, Electrical, Advanced Manufacturing and Electric Vehicle/Hybrid Maintenance and Repair. The expansion will feature 20,000 additional square feet of space for further learning.
“As we prepare for the construction of ‘Phase Two’ programming, we have already seen recent Legacy graduates return as apprentice electricians with some of our industry partners to complete work in our facility,” Director Dr. Rex Corr proclaims. “We are incredibly proud of these students.”
With the Phase II buildout on the horizon and the campus’s second year ending, the Douglas County community is relishing in this wonderful commitment to education.
Former student Noah Wiidakas states, “Legacy was an exceptional experience that allowed me to experience a new environment and learn about things that I was passionate about.”
"I loved the opportunity to learn alongside people who share the same goals and mindset as me, and getting to take classes where I never had to ask myself ‘when will I use this’ because all of it connected to what I want to pursue."