Recent ACT scores have sent up red flags to educators nationwide. The scores indicate many high school seniors are not prepared for college. Ames area students who may not be college bound will soon have the opportunity to prepare for the workforce.

The Story County Consortium of Schools, in conjunction with Des Moines Area Community College, has developed a plan to establish a career academy for about 300 high school students identified as at-risk in the seven Story County school districts.

The academy, which is scheduled to open for the 2006-07 school year, will offer career and technical education courses such as construction trades, auto collision, nursing and culinary studies. The consortium has been offering these programs for about seven years, but they have never before had a central location.

“The school will enable students who aren’t college bound to get experience in trades and career situations,” said Larry Shaeffer, director of the consortium.

“This program provides opportunities for young people who would otherwise drop out of school.”

Kim Linduska, executive vice president of academic affairs at DMACC, said the programs were chosen based on industry focus groups sponsored by the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission more than a year ago.

“We picked programs we knew would meet the needs of the Story County workforce,” she said.

Randy Mead, executive dean of program development at DMACC, said representatives from several local businesses have agreed to serve in advisory groups. Students will have the opportunity to intern at many participating businesses.

“We want to motivate kids to find areas of interest to be better engaged,” Mead said. “From local businesses they can get practical advice and direction in regards to the job market.”

Linduska said local businesses that would likely hire the school’s graduates have been financially supportive. Story County companies have donated $1.5 million of the estimated $5 million in total building costs so far. Shaeffer hopes to receive an additional $440,000 in state and federal grants by being named an Iowa charter school, which the consortium will apply for in the next month.

“By obtaining additional funds we would be able to offer more programs,” Shaeffer said. “We could really take the program to the next level.”

Students will be admitted to the school based on recommendations from principals, guidance counselors and teachers.

Pat Brown, member of the Ames School Board, praised the consortium at Monday’s board meeting.

“The workers you turn out are top quality,” she said. “Kids who don’t fit into the traditional programs fit in here.”