The start of the Troup County school year is just around the corner and THINC College & Career Academy is looking forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the school. According to a press release from THINC, this will begin with an important parent/student orientation on Thursday, Aug. 8.

There will be two sessions held at Callaway Conference Center – one at 9 a.m. and one at 5:30 p.m. Each session will last about 45 minutes and parents and students only need to attend one session.

“We do things differently at THINC, offering students unique hands-on learning and opportunities in their fields of interest — paired with higher expectations,” says THINC Director Dr. Chris Williams. “We’re preparing students for their future careers and therefore expect them to develop important soft skills relating to behavior and appearance.” 

According to the press release, the upcoming orientation will help ensure both parents and students understand THINC expectations and procedures. It is also required that parents and students sign a commitment letter which will be distributed and discussed during the orientation.

“It is our experience, that an informed and supportive parent makes a huge difference in a student’s success,” Williams said. “This orientation will provide parents with the knowledge and tools to connect with THINC administration and teachers and to support the high expectations of the program.”

Open to all ninth through twelfth graders, THINC is a choice program offered by Troup County School System. Troup County students can choose to attend — for half the day — while still attending their base high school. Participation in THINC is set up as part of the student’s class schedule through their regular school counselor.

At THINC, students are inventing, building, thinking, challenging the norm and engaging in rigorous studies, all in preparation for work and college. Students attending the program discover and explore career options while emulating work-savvy ideas and behaviors. The school culture embeds concepts of leadership and entrepreneurship into the curriculum, providing an innovative environment where young minds envision their lives working in manufacturing, engineering, energy, healthcare, business and marketing careers.

Through hands-on, project-based instruction, students are provided a learning environment that challenges them to understand the “real-world” of work, while completing high school. Students are equipped with career and college goals, leadership/work ethic behaviors, and a plan to succeed after graduation.