One of the District's newest buildings is an impressive two-story structure adjacent to Osborne High School. The Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) is a state-of-the-art learning environment and a tuition-free academy for high schoolers. It is designed to prepare students to lead the workforce of tomorrow.
CITA offers education and hands-on learning in fifteen different career pathways grouped into three "pillars": Maker industries, Emerging Technologies, and Health Care and Community Services. The academy's goal is to prepare students for both careers and college by providing exposure to various career paths and hands-on experience. CITA focuses on helping students identify their interests and strengths early on so they can make informed decisions about their future.
CITA's Director, Dr. Tiffany Barney, has a background in healthcare and education. She initially pursued a career in healthcare with degrees in kinesiology and exercise science. However, she transitioned to education and became an instructional coach and program specialist with the Georgia Department of Education, and she's today's guest on this special re-broadcast of The Inside Scoop.
This year's senior class will be the very first graduating class of CITA. They had the unique challenge of spending their freshman year in 2020-21 learning through a computer screen rather than hands-on in the building, but they adapted and excelled. CITA instructors used creative teaching methods, sent kits to students, and switched between remote and hybrid learning for the first year.
CITA emphasizes safety and practical skills and takes pride in offering real-world experience through partnerships with local businesses and industries. Students can graduate with industry certifications and strong connections in their chosen fields, enhancing their employability or college prospects. The application process typically opens from October 1st to December 1st each year, and interested students and parents are encouraged to explore the program's offerings, interact with current students, and consider CITA as an educational pathway.
Click here to learn much more about the opportunities available at CITA.
