Harlem’s new Career and Technical Education Facility promises practical, hands-on learning
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — Harlem High School on Monday unveiled a new facility designed to give students a head start on their careers by providing hands-on education to support their transition into the workforce.
The 27,000-square-foot Career and Technical Education Facility, or CTE for short, creates an on-campus space for automotive, construction, manufacturing and welding classes. The new facility also includes an on-site health clinic for employees and their dependents.
The ribbon was cut on the new facility three days before students head back to class for the new school year.
“Starting Thursday, students will be able to apply all of the skills that they’ve obtained throughout all their time in the Harlem School District here in real life, practical, hands-on settings,” said Jeremy Bois, Harlem High School principal. “This is going to create lasting, meaningful learning experiences that not only will benefit their future and give them skills, but it’s going to be fun and they’re going to enjoy learning.”
About 11,000 square feet of interior renovations were made to the high school, including new equipment for its culinary arts classes as well as upgrades to spaces for business, early childhood education, health sciences and physical therapy classes.
“We have modernized our learning spaces to meet both the current and future programming needs,” said Michelle Erb, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “These spaces — whether automotive, construction, health sciences, culinary arts — are designed to inspire creativity, encourage hands-on learning and prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that await them in the workforce.”
That on-site clinic, which is run by Marathon Health, is designed to provide preventative care with a goal of reducing health care costs and lowering rates of absenteeism.
The total project costs about $18.5 million, funded in part by $5 million in funds from the federal American Rescue Plan. The district also received state grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and it took on about $8.5 million in debt through bond sales. The bond is expected to extend district debt payments from their scheduled end in 2026 until 2030, but it does not force an increase in the property tax levy.
District officials said it was an investment in the future and would provide students opportunities they never had before.
“I’ve had so many parents reach out and say, I wish we would’ve had this but at least my kids do,” said Michael Sterling, school board president.
Ringland-Johnson Construction managed the project and DLA Architects designed the expansion.
Ground was broken for the project in April 2023, and construction stayed on time to open by the start of this school year.
“It’s more than just a new building and fresh coats of paint, it’s about what happens inside these walls,” Erb said. “It’s about the lives that will be changed, the passions that will be ignited and the careers that will be launched.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
