Educating students for jobs of the future at a new 21st-century school
Aerial view of the Attleboro High School design. Photo from KBA Architects.
Attleboro High School (AHS) modernized its facility and curriculum with the construction of a new high school, completed in 2022. AHS is one of 14 comprehensive schools in Massachusetts, offering traditional general education and Chapter 74 approved Career and Technical Education programs.
AHS prides itself on its heritage of offering robust Career and Technical Education programs with the highest quality of instruction available. The new school provides students with greater opportunities for exploring a wide variety of career and technical opportunities, gaining technical skills with industry-leading equipment in a project-based learning environment.
Keeping up-to-date with labor market trends, the new construction school brought four additional programs to CTE: Robotics and Automation, Cosmetology, Dental Assistant and Hygienist, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).
The ultimate goal for the Attleboro High School CTE department is to increase the number of graduating students who complete a CTE program. Students will be a step ahead of other students when applying for jobs with local businesses or admission to post-secondary technical schools or two and four-year colleges.
Create 14 Modern CTE Shops for a New Construction School
Administrators at Attleboro High School needed cutting-edge shops for a wide range of vocations, including existing programs such as engineering and metal fabrication and new programs such as robotics and automation and HVAC.
The layouts for the 14 shops needed to reflect the modern, timeless design concept by architect Kaestle Boos Associates. And, through high-quality academic instruction, prepare students for jobs or post-secondary school.
The shops include a mix of new equipment and existing equipment from the old high school. Equipment across the CTE shops have specific MEP requirements, which needed to be addressed during construction in collaboration with Consigli Construction Company.
State-of-the-Art CTE Shops for Ongoing Student Engagement
In close collaboration with the Attleboro High School principal, KBA, and Consigli, AET Labs contributed to the design and outfitting of 14 CTE shops, which will educate students for various career fields for years to come.
During the design process, AET Labs was involved in focus group meetings with instructors and administrators to understand their vision for the CTE program. We recommended equipment lists based on feedback from the focus groups and Massachusetts CTE Frameworks. We also proposed space planning layouts to the architect, which were incorporated into their designs.
While the school was under construction, we adhered to the budget and timeline as the single source procurement vendor for all 14 CTE shops. We coordinated the removal of existing equipment from the old school for reinstallation in the new school, and managed equipment and furniture deliveries, rigging and installation services. We attended construction site reviews with the project manager to ensure proper location and timely coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, all while maintaining a multi-million dollar budget. We also provided professional development training on the new equipment and technology for instructors.
AET Labs Provides Tech Equipment for New School, High-Profile Monthly
The New Attleboro High School: The city’s new “flagship” school is rising on Rathbun Willard Drive, The Sun Chronicle
