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Advanced Programs

Southland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (Southland CAPS)

Southland CAPS is a half-day program offered on-site in collaboration with different business partners. The program allows students to explore careers in a general field where the focus is on exploration rather than specific skill attainment. Students spend the first semester in an industry based classroom learning about the field and general professional workplace expectations. Second semester can be spent in an internship or working on client projects in a portion of the field the student is most interested in.

  • Benefits: Students can explore a career field to see if it is an area they will pursue as a career.
  • Costs: Students have to provide their own transportation to the internship sites. The program is free to Raytown students.
  • Preparation: Students may need to have some electives completed in summer school by the time they begin this program in the 11th grade. They will also need the recommendation from their high school.

Herndon Career Center (HCC)

Herndon has several programs designed to prepare students for specific areas in the workforce. Programs are offered in fields such as healthcare, construction, culinary arts, law enforcement, graphic design, car repair, and cosmetology among others. This is a half-day program offered on campus in Raytown with transportation to and from the high schools.

  • Benefits: Students are immersed in a hands-on learning environment where they learn skills specifically related to a career field they are interested in. All programs provide an opportunity for students to earn an industry certification.
  • Costs: This is a free program for Raytown students. Some programs may have a fee for materials.
  • Preparation: Students may need to have some electives completed in summer school by the time they begin this program in the 11th grade. Students must also have a 2.0 GPA.

Summit Tech Academy (STA)

STA has several programs designed to prepare students for specific areas in the workforce. Programs are offered in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and digital media among others. This is a half-day program offered on campus in Lee’s Summit with transportation provided by Raytown.

  • Benefits: Students are immersed in a hands-on learning environment where they learn skills specifically related to a career field they are interested in.
  • Costs: This is a free program for Raytown students. Some programs may have a substantial fee for materials.
    Preparation: Students may need to have some electives completed in summer school by the time they begin this program in the 11th grade. Students must also have a 2.5 GPA.

Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC)

The MIC program is an innovative partnership between Summit Technology Academy, the University of Central Missouri, and several business partners to created offer a very rigorous program for high achieving students in specific career areas. Students complete courses at the MIC campus in Lee’s Summit, at their high school, and at UCM in Lee’s Summit. Students also complete paid internships onsite with one of the many business partners. Students normally only need two years to complete their college degree after graduating high school.

  • Benefits: Students receive college credit with no tuition and get paid internships.
  • Costs: Students must provide their own transportation to internship sites.
  • Preparation: Students must have many electives completed in summer school by the time they begin this program and must be on an advanced track starting in 8th grade. Students must also have a 3.0 GPA and qualifying ACT score.

Dual Credit

Dual Credit classes, offered at both high schools during the day, give both high school credit and college credit. Most of these classes are in partnership with the University of Central Missouri. Students pay for college credit on a drastically reduced fee schedule.

  • Benefits: Students earn college credit during high school at a reduced fee. Advanced students take challenging courses.
  • Costs: College tuition.
  • Preparation: Some courses require students to be on the advanced course route from 8th grade and some do not. Students must have a 3.0 GPA and a minimum ACT subscore for some classes.

Degree in Three – University of Kansas

A partnership between Technology Solutions in CAPS, Law Enforcement at HCC, other programs at Summit Technology Academy, and KU Edwards Campus allows students to earn college credit in high school, complete an associate’s degree one year after graduating and finish their bachelor’s degree two years later.

  • Benefits: Complete an associate’s and bachelor’s degree earlier than normal.
  • Costs: Tuition to MCC and KU Edwards Campus. KU Edwards tuition is at the in-state rate.
  • Preparation: Students must have many electives completed in summer school by the time they begin this program and must be on an advanced track starting in 8th grade. Students must also have a sufficient GPA and qualifying ACT score to be accepted for admission to KU.