One hundred and sixteen high school students will walk into a brand-new career academy Monday, Aug. 3, with access to a drone zone, healthcare simulation rooms and flight operations labs instead of a traditional classroom schedule. The Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy at Allatoona High School in Acworth is the district's second CITA campus and represents a $25 million bet that industry certifications can rival a four-year degree. The 46,300-square-foot, two-story building sits on what was Allatoona's southern student parking lot. "When students come out of CITA, they'll be able to go straight into work with certifications making an awesome living," Superintendent Chris Ragsdale told WSB-TV. The programs span four fields. The academy offers tracks in artificial intelligence, gaming design, unmanned aircraft systems and pharmaceuticals. Students who complete the coursework earn industry certifications that qualify them for immediate employment or a path to a two-year or four-year college, according to Executive Director Dr. Tiffany Barney. Barney, who said the opening was a year in the making, wants to change how families think about vocational education. The old assumption that career training is for students who can't handle college no longer applies, she said. Graduates will leave prepared for high-paying technical work. The district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 17, and highlighted CITA at Allatoona as a key priority during its July 29 back-to-school kickoff event, according to district communications. The original CITA campus on Windy Hill Road in Marietta already offers pathways in fields including welding, HVAC, cybersecurity, surgical technology and phlebotomy. The Allatoona location adds technology-forward tracks that reflect growing employer demand for AI and drone expertise. School Board Chair David Chastain and members Becky Sayler, Leroy Tre' Hutchins, Brad Wheeler and Randy Scamihorn attended the groundbreaking, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. Allatoona High School sits in northern Cobb County, outside East Cobb attendance zones. East Cobb families whose students attend Walton, Pope, Lassiter or Wheeler can apply to the program. The district has not published an enrollment breakdown by home school, and no application deadline for future cohorts has been announced. Families can contact CITA at 770-426-3300 or visit cobbk12.org for details.

One hundred and sixteen high school students will walk into a brand-new career academy Monday, Aug. 3, with access to a drone zone, healthcare simulation rooms and flight operations labs instead of a traditional classroom schedule.

The Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy at Allatoona High School in Acworth is the district's second CITA campus and represents a $25 million bet that industry certifications can rival a four-year degree. The 46,300-square-foot, two-story building sits on what was Allatoona's southern student parking lot.

"When students come out of CITA, they'll be able to go straight into work with certifications making an awesome living," Superintendent Chris Ragsdale told WSB-TV.

The programs span four fields. The academy offers tracks in artificial intelligence, gaming design, unmanned aircraft systems and pharmaceuticals. Students who complete the coursework earn industry certifications that qualify them for immediate employment or a path to a two-year or four-year college, according to Executive Director Dr. Tiffany Barney.

Barney, who said the opening was a year in the making, wants to change how families think about vocational education. The old assumption that career training is for students who can't handle college no longer applies, she said. Graduates will leave prepared for high-paying technical work.

The district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 17, and highlighted CITA at Allatoona as a key priority during its July 29 back-to-school kickoff event, according to district communications.

The original CITA campus on Windy Hill Road in Marietta already offers pathways in fields including welding, HVAC, cybersecurity, surgical technology and phlebotomy. The Allatoona location adds technology-forward tracks that reflect growing employer demand for AI and drone expertise.

School Board Chair David Chastain and members Becky Sayler, Leroy Tre' Hutchins, Brad Wheeler and Randy Scamihorn attended the groundbreaking, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.

Allatoona High School sits in northern Cobb County, outside East Cobb attendance zones. East Cobb families whose students attend Walton, Pope, Lassiter or Wheeler can apply to the program. The district has not published an enrollment breakdown by home school, and no application deadline for future cohorts has been announced. Families can contact CITA at 770-426-3300 or visit cobbk12.org for details.