News and Events

The Rockdale Career Academy (RCA) will benefit from a Career Academy grant awarded to DeKalb Technical College by The Technical College System of Georgia. DeKalb Tech received three of seven grants awarded, one of which will support the expansion of RCA. The total amount of the grant awarded to fund the expansion is $2,695,645.00. The new wing will house additional classrooms and expanded lab facilities for the health and forensic science, public safety, and early learning programs.

“We are grateful to Lt. Governor Casey Cagel and the General Assembly for providing the funds to support this round of the Georgia Career Academy Project grants which are administered by the Technical College System of Georgia,” says Tim Melvin, CEO of RCA. “We are particularly grateful that specific funds were dedicated in this round to support expansion initiatives of existing career academies such as RCA. This grant award is a tribute to the strong and enduring partnership that exists between DeKalb Technical College and the Rockdale Career Academy. The new wing will provide much needed physical space to continue to grow the partnership as we jointly work to meet the educational and workforce development needs of our community.”

Rockdale County Public Schools opened the Rockdale Career Academy in 2006 with eighteen programs of study, many with an option for students to obtain industry certification. “Rockdale Career Academy, with its rigorous and relevant environment, serves as a model for others around the state,” says Dr. Samuel King, Superintendent. “Our mission and strategic plan call for providing students with boundless learning opportunities to prepare them for their future, whether they choose to continue with a secondary education, enter the military, or enter the workforce after graduation. RCA provides students with the ability to graduate high school with a technical certification and hands on experience, which allows them to join the workforce at a higher level.”

“Receiving the grant funding through our partnership with DeKalb Technical College is proof that collaboration is essential to support education and workforce development in our community,” says King. “We appreciate the many community partners who came together to assist in securing this funding for expansion, including the Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, Rockdale Medical Center, and United Way.”