Answers to the Questions Most Often asked about AACT

Q. What is AACT?
A. AACT is both a full-time accredited high school and a part-time school. Students can take advanced career and technical education (CTE) courses and required academic courses to earn a high school diploma and graduate from AACT. Students may also choose to take only the advanced CTE courses at AACT and graduate from their home high school. Students may simultaneously earn high school credit and free community college credit.

Q. What are advanced career and technical education (CTE) courses?
A. They are job specific courses that prepare students to continue their technical education after high school or obtain a job related to that career field. These courses meet business and industry requirements wherever possible. Courses may have prerequisites to insure students are prepared to meet course demands.

Q. Who can attend AACT?
A. All Washoe County School District students are eligible to apply to AACT. Freshmen and Sophomores can apply for full-time, and Juniors and Seniors can apply to take one CTE course.

Q. What if I don’t have enough credits to be a junior? Can I still attend AACT?
A. It is preferred and strongly recommended that juniors attending be on track to graduate. CTE and academic course work is demanding. There are some options available to earn other credits through the school’s Plato program or WCSD’s Supplemental Credit Office.

Q. Can I still compete in athletics or other extra-curricular activities?
A. Students remain eligible to participate in activities and athletics at their zoned high schools.
However, AACT offers unique student activities programs. Several Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), unique to the CTE environment, are offered at AACT. A student Leadership course is offered during the day. An FFA course, which stresses leadership, teamwork and participation in local, regional and national competitions is offered in the evening. Virtually all CTE courses are involved in SkillsUSA, which provides students the opportunity to develop business, leadership, and technical skills commonly found only among seasoned adult professionals. The Medical Careers Academy offers membership in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter. Like SkillsUSA, HOSA offers students rare leadership, skill building and competitive opportunities. Over the years AACT has had numerous local, regional, state, and national level champions in CTSO competitions.

Q. Why would I want to earn an AACT diploma?
A. A diploma from AACT will give you a competitive advantage for college entrance, advanced technical training, and assist you in finding a job in your chosen career field.

Q. What does it mean that I am able to earn college credit?
A. Most of the courses at AACT allow you to simultaneously earn high school and free college credit. You may earn up to 15 college credits as long as you meet certain course requirements.

Q. I want to graduate from my zoned high school. What does AACT offer me?
A. Part-time students can attend both your zoned high school and AACT. You will take your academic courses at your zoned high school and your career and technical education course at AACT.

Q. How much will it cost to attend AACT?
A. It’s free! There is no tuition, although there are standard lab and organizational fees.

Q. Will transportation be provided to The Academy?
A. Limited transportation is provided. Click here for more info.

Q. How do I enroll at AACT?
A. To enroll at AACT as a full-time or part-time student, you will need to complete the following:

• Complete and sign the AACT Enrollment Application. Make sure it includes a parent/guardian signature, counselor signature, and a copy of your transcript.
• If you do not have the necessary course prerequisites, you must indicate this so that the AACT instructor and Principal may consider an exception.
• If you do not have the required credits for entrance for full-time enrollment, please see your counselor for assistance in completing the “Credit Recovery Plan” attached to the AACT Enrollment Application for Full-Time Students.
• Send the AACT Enrollment Application and all packet materials to the AACT, attention “Counselor, AACT”. Programs fill up quickly. If you would like to save a place in a course, you must immediately fax (861-4415) a copy of the completed AACT Enrollment Application to the AACT.
• Once the AACT office receives the signed AACT Enrollment Application, the review process begins. Notification of acceptance will be sent to your high school counselor.