Career Academies Becomes Third High School for Decatur City Schools

On March 19, the Decatur City Schools Board of Education approved the addition of Career Academies of Decatur (CAD) as third high school for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. Superintendent Michael Douglas said the state required at least 250 students to enroll at the new high school, which will contain grades 9 through 12. According to the Decatur Daily, there will be 251 non-virtual students at CAD next school year.

Currently, students who attend CAD split their time between the trade school and either Decatur High School or Austin High School. Now that CAD is officially a high school, students will be able to stay at the school throughout the week while still immersed in their chosen career paths and their academics.

School officials anticipate the new high school will offer a unique educational experience, enabling students to learn multiple skilled trades, utilize embedded credits for early graduation or apprenticeships and broaden opportunities for college and career readiness.

Superintendent Douglas told the Decatur Daily he was meeting with an architect this summer to discuss accommodating future growth at CAD.