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Early Career Academy in Troy Graduates First Class
Andrew Raupp, Founder of STEM.org, Delivered Commencement Address
TROY, Mich. (June 27, 2016) — The Early Career Academy, an innovative charter high school program, graduated its first class of 22 students this month with 72 percent earning both a high school diploma and a college associate degree.
"We're proud of our graduating class and hope they achieve their full career potential after graduation," said Phyllis Noda, executive director of the Early Career Academy in Troy. "This is the first graduating class in the nation of our established academies in three states. As we move forward, we hope to encourage more high school juniors and seniors to pursue a technology-focused education."
The Early Career Academy is a career-focused public charter high school where juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and the potential to earn an associate degree from ITT Technical Institute.
Eighteen-year-old Ra'chelle Limmitt is one of this year's graduates who now has an associate degree of applied science in software development. "I am grateful to the teachers who motivated me to work toward earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree in software development," Limmitt said. "The support I received has helped me prepare to take huge steps toward realizing my career goals and my dreams."
Located on the campus of ITT Technical Institute in Troy, the academy is open to all junior and senior students subject to capacity limitations and offers a no-cost tuition program. Early Career Academy graduates may continue courses at ITT Tech and pursue a bachelor degree.
ITT Tech is one of the nation's leading providers of associate degrees in technology-oriented fields, with more than 43,000 students at campuses in 38 states. Approximately 88 percent of ITT Tech students are enrolled in STEM-related programs of study.
There are Early Career Academies currently operating in Michigan, Indiana and Arizona. The campus in Michigan is the first to host a graduating class.
All academies also offer student professional experiences and project-based learning to help students prepare to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of entry-level, career-focused positions.
Graduation for the first class in Troy occurred on Sunday, June 26, 2016.
The commencement speaker was Andrew Raupp, founder and executive director of STEM.org™. Raupp has played a critical role in proliferating STEM education by focusing his efforts on post-industrial cities domestically and abroad. Among his accomplishments, was the development of America's original STEM accreditation credential and work with over 140,000 pre K — 12th grade students. Collectively, Andrew and his team have earned international recognition, serving students in 27 countries.
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About Early Career Academy
The Early Career Academy (ECA) is committed to offering high school students the opportunity to pursue a quality tuition-free, technology-focused education leading to a high school diploma and the potential to earn an associate degree. For more information, visit www.earlycareeracademy.com.
About ITT Educational Services, Inc.
ITT Educational Services, Inc. (NYSE: ESI) provides technology-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its accredited postsecondary institutions, ITT Technical Institutes and Daniel Webster College, to help students develop skills and knowledge that they can use to pursue career opportunities in a variety of fields. It owns and operates more than 130 ITT Technical Institutes and Daniel Webster College. ITT/ESI serves approximately 43,000 as of March 31, 2016 students at its campuses in 39 states and online. Through the Center for Professional Development @ ITT Technical Institute, ITT/ESI provides short-term information technology and business learning solutions for career advancers and other professionals. Headquartered in Carmel, IN, ITT/ESI has been actively involved in the higher education community since 1969 and can be found online at www.ittesi.com.