North Texas school districts are preparing for the 2021-2022 school year. The district is opening a new high school in Mesquite – the first in more than 20 years.
The brand new Vanguard High School is unlike anything the district has seen before.
“We’re really trying to open the lid on education. We’re really trying to do it differently and make it innovative for our students, ”said School Dean Clint Elsasser.
Vanguard HS will open classes on August 11th as an elective school, the first of its kind for Mesquite ISD. That means students from all over the city can choose to go there and get a head start in their careers.
“We have to design education differently for the students, and that is one way of really crossing that line,” said Elsasser.
Students receive double credits for college and high school. They will also graduate with a high school diploma and the opportunity for an associate’s degree or certifications in an area of their choice.
“I think we as educators realize that what we’ve been doing up to now isn’t working. And we have to do education differently. Our students are tech-savvy, they think quickly, there are so many different ways to learn and we have so many different needs, ”said Elsasser.
Students can choose from 55 certifications in a variety of career focus areas including Phlebotomy, EMT, Pharmaceutical Technology, Dental, Automotive, Graphic Design, Architecture, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Robotics, Computer Science, and Entrepreneurship.
After graduation, these students are more than ready to enter the college and university world or enter professional life straight away.
“And especially for our business and industrial partners, there are many in the district who need skilled workers. You need people to work for you. What a great opportunity we can grow your own here in Mesquite so we can run them through our system and have them ready for use. They can stay in the city they live in, ”said Elsasser.
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An EMT lab in the health sciences division of Mesquite ISD’s new Vanguard High School.
The school is a reminder that education is changing. These types of schools are a growing trend in North Texas and across the country, with similar concepts opening up in other counties such as Garland, Dallas, and Grand Prairie.
“I think Mesquite is trying to get on the train, but more than that, we want to be the locomotive. We want to drive that, ”said Elsasser.
The attempt to run such a school in Mesquite ISD resulted from the efforts of Superintendent Dr. David Vroonland, who wanted to add more to the district’s growing student body of 38,000.
“We are pleased to open this unique high school. It is an amazing facility that allows students to immerse themselves in the exploration and development of their passions, ”Vroonland said in a statement. “We are proud of the work of everyone who helped make this project a reality – representatives from our community, local businesses, WRA Architects and Pogue Construction, among others.”
What sets Vanguard apart is the school’s layout and schedule, which mirrors what students would see in a college. Lunchtime is an open concept with no cafeteria and instead open seating throughout the school so students can choose where to eat.
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Students have access to a full gym for physical education classes, as well as open and optional seating for lunchtime.
Teachers at Vanguard also don’t have classrooms. In fact, the entire campus is their classroom.
“The classroom is not just the four walls of the classroom, the classroom is the entire building,” he said. “When I was in school, I liked being active. Sitting in a classroom didn’t work for me. It doesn’t work for a lot of our students, so that’s the concept. “
The teachers have carts and laptops with which they can bring their lessons in different work areas and laboratories for each professional field.
“We have to make them fit for the real world. In addition, many of them are taking college courses, so the design of the school building is designed to prepare them for it, ”said Elsasser. “It’s an open concept – open library, media rooms and collaboration rooms throughout the building.”
After the college experience, Elsasser’s title is not rector either – he is dean, with assistant deans at every stage of the school’s studies.
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Vanguard High School starts this school year with freshman and sophomore years and will grow from there. The selection of students takes place on an application basis. The district said it received 1,500 applications to fill 1,000 spots this school year.
Elsasser said the school has a maximum capacity of about 2,000 students. Click here to learn more about the registration process.
Due to the four-year curriculum, seniors and some juniors at other high schools cannot switch to Vanguard. Juniors participating in certain career programs at their existing school may be able to switch to Vanguard to continue their program there.
In addition, Elsasser said students will continue to meet all state-set STARR standards, with an emphasis on core classes in the first and second years. However, the way in which they learn isn’t limited to any particular schedule or space like other high schools. The junior and senior year will be more focused on career classes and studies.
Since the school is open to all MSD students regardless of where they live, transportation is provided by the district. Pick-up and drop-off zones will be set up throughout the city.
Vanguard differs from traditional schools in that there are no competitive teams like soccer or basketball. Instead, there are individual sports like archery, fishing, camping, and career clubs.
But just like other high schools, they are planning a junior and senior prom.
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Automotive instructor Jose Barrientos has 12 years of industry and teaching experience. The district is looking for teachers who have practical skills in certain professional fields.
The district is also looking for more teacher positions at Vanguard HS this year. Elsasser said they plan to hire many more in the years to come.
If you are interested in learning or teaching opportunities at Vanguard HS, click here.
Join us on Saturday, August 7th, for the official cut of the ribbon and the grand opening of Vanguard High School. The doors will open to the public at 10.15 a.m. After the ceremony, Vanguard will be open for you! pic.twitter.com/IJ9PoChxmo
– Vanguard High School (@MISDVanguardHS) July 29, 2021
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