Students and teachers at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin (DCAWI), a tuition-free, online public school, will begin the school year on Sept. 5th. The Career Technical Education (CTE)-focused school serves students statewide in grades 9-12. In addition to its full-time program, eligible students enrolled in any Wisconsin public school can enroll in 1-2 online courses at DCAWI.

DCAWI introduces students to technical and specialty trades through a robust online CTE curriculum. Students can discover exciting options for their future in four career fields: construction, business management and administration, health science, and information technology.

“We are giving our students real world experience and meaningful exposure to career opportunities,” says head of school Nicholaus Sutherland. “The combination of our online platform and our CTE programs means they will be ready to join the 21st century workforce.”

DCAWI is home to the first career prep program in the state to offer pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the construction industry. The Operating Engineer Pre-apprenticeship Program prepares students to enter an apprenticeship training program, introducing them to the work of heavy equipment operators, mechanics, or surveyors with real-world experiences and job shadowing.

This unique opportunity is offered in partnership with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 and Fox Valley Technical College.

According to a national survey released by K12 Inc. and Edge Research earlier this year, almost 95 percent of Americans agree that high school students should have more opportunities to learn practical, real-world skills. Importantly, 96 percent of parents see CTE as a good option for students who want to start a career immediately after high school, and 88 percent of parents said the same for students who are college-bound.

In addition to CTE courses, DCAWI students tackle the core subjects of math, science, English/language arts and history. Wisconsin-licensed teachers provide live, online instruction and guide students towards their academic goals, whether they are heading to college or into the workforce. Students become adept at using technology for their classes, projects and time management, and build skills and knowledge with the school’s rigorous curriculum.

Outside of class time, DCAWI provides opportunities for students and their families to connect with one another and with industry professionals in their future careers. Students participate in SkillsUSA, a career and technical support organization, and parents have access to support from school leaders and one another as their students transition from one grade to another and beyond.

DCAWI is still accepting applications for this school year. For more information, please visit www.widca.k12.com.

About Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin

Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, a charter school authorized by the McFarland School District, is the first-ever career and technical education-focused online high school in Wisconsin using the curriculum and academic programs by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN). It is also the first career readiness program to offer a construction pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with industry leaders. As part of the Wisconsin public school system, Destinations Career Academy is tuition-free and serves students statewide in grades 9-12. For more information about Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, visit www.widca.k12.com.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is driving innovation and advancing the quality of education by delivering digital learning platforms and technology to students and school districts across the globe. K12’s curriculum services over 2,000 schools and school districts and has delivered more than four million courses over the past decade. K12 is a company consisting of thousands of online school educators providing instruction, academic services, and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. The K12 program is offered in more than seventy K12 partner public schools across the country, and through private schools serving students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. More information can be found at K12.com.