Sandpoint, Idaho – Students at Sandpoint High School now have a modern, 12,000‑square‑foot Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) that opened this summer. The expansion, financed by a $3.5 million Idaho Career Ready Students grant and more than $5 million in local contributions, connects directly to the existing high‑school through new hallways.
More pathways for a diverse student body
Superintendent Becky Meyer emphasized the district’s belief that “there is no single pathway to success after high school.” The new facility broadens course sections in agriculture, natural resources, health professions, public safety, engineering and technology. It also introduces a culinary arts and hospitality pathway in spring 2027 and an automotive pathway in fall 2027.
Mentorship and hands‑on learning
Alex Gray, who once found belonging in his own high‑school automotive class, now serves as the CTEC director. Gray, who teaches information technology with a focus on cybersecurity, said the center aims to give every student a sense of belonging, whether they pursue nursing, welding or another trade. “They find something they’re excited to talk about at the dinner table, something to be passionate about,” he explained.
Gray’s IT students maintain the district’s fleet of Chromebooks, using a professional‑grade ticketing system. Their new classroom includes storage for parts and a work area where Gray can observe students while they learn.
State‑of‑the‑art facilities for hands‑on practice
Beyond IT, nursing assistant and sports‑medicine students now have dedicated space with patient beds for realistic practice. The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) has moved from a former driver’s‑ed building at the middle school into the high school, and carpentry students benefit from an industry‑standard shop.
Although an automotive teacher has not yet been hired, the center already houses lifts and a fully equipped automotive shop. Construction continues on the culinary arts classroom, which will feature a faux restaurant where students can practice everything from operating a commercial dishwasher to serving fine‑dining meals. The kitchen is located next to the welding shop and adjacent to the cafeteria.
Community partnership and future impact
“Bringing CTEC to life took years of planning, persistence and partnership,” Meyer said. “The Idaho Career Ready Students Grant provided the major investment that allowed us to move this vision forward, and we have also received tremendous support from local businesses, organizations and community partners who recognize the importance of investing in our students and our regional workforce.”
Community partners include local employers and trade groups that will offer internships, mentorships and real‑world project collaborations. The facility is open to homeschool, private‑school and part‑time students, expanding educational options for families across the region.
As the center opens its doors, Meyer expressed optimism about the long‑term benefits for students and the local economy. “Seeing students work with their hands, solve problems, learn from skilled educators and industry partners, and discover abilities or interests they may not have known they had is what this project has always been about,” she said. “CTEC is about giving students more ways to find what they’re good at, explore where it could take them and begin preparing for their future.”
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
