The Bloomington Area Career Center has a fresh identity and a bold new future. Now rebranded as the Bloomington Career Academy (BCA), District 87’s reimagined workforce development program is stepping into a modern era.
Starting this fall, the Academy will relocate from its Locust Street facility to its new home at the Willie G. and Gloria Brown Education Center on Oakland Avenue in Bloomington. BCA serves high school students from across McLean County, offering hands-on, career-focused programs in fields like culinary arts; automotive technology; computer technology and networking; graphic design and video production; and robotics and engineering. The newly renovated center will feature updated, specialized classrooms; state-of-the-art kitchens; automotive workspaces; and technical training labs—each designed to give students access to real-world, in-demand skills. This facility will also feature a brand new early childhood center: the Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education.
BCA will continue to partner with local businesses and educational institutions, ensuring students have opportunities for hands-on learning, trade certifications, and dual credit coursework.
How do we transform an existing corporate training facility into a 21st-century vocational tech education center for the 17 districts served by BCA?
Renovation of the former corporate training facility is underway, more than doubling BCA’s space. New classrooms, labs, and hands-on training areas are being added to support modern, career-focused programs and give students and instructors the resources they need to succeed.
“This is an incredible milestone for Bloomington Career Academy and the students we serve. With this rebrand and our relocation to the Willie G. and Gloria Brown Education Center, we are reaffirming our dedication to providing high-quality, career-focused education that meets the evolving needs of today’s workforce.”
— Bryce Hansen, BCA Director
The additions and renovations to the School District of Clayton’s athletic facilities represent the next major step towards elevating the school’s facilities to align with the the district’s reputation for academic and athletic excellence.
The 14,850-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for imagination, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, featuring prototyping tools, an amphitheater, collaborative meeting and teaching spaces, a test kitchen, 3D printers, sewing machines, power tools, audio/video equipment and more.
Through the BOLD Facilities Plan, Decatur Public Schools is working to ensure student-focused learning environments with spaces that expand learning beyond traditional expectations to further engage students. To help accomplish this goal, a reimagined, new facility replaced an outdated structure which was located on the highest elevation point in Decatur, Johns Hill.