In 2011, Perry High School students were able to attend college level courses without leaving their hometown when DMACC’s Perry Van Kirk Career Academy opened.  High School Principal Dan Marburger says there was interest the first year, but this year the number of students taking advantage of this opportunity has increased drastically.

This year there are 117 students enrolled in yearlong programs at the career academy, along with another 22 who take at least one class.  Marburger says there are several opportunities for the students to get both high school and college credits both during the morning and afternoon.

The students have several class options available including pre-engineering, health careers, automotive classes, welding, business and culinary arts.

Marburger says he hopes they will continue to see the number of students participating in these post-secondary options increase in the future.