LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --Â A new virtual computer science academy launched in Kentucky this month.
It's all thanks to the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly. It passed a $3 million investment.
"We are setting up the foundation to do these great things in the future," said Elias Cardosa, a Carroll County High School sophomore.
By the time he started middle school, he was dabbling in block programming and teaching himself how to code. Now, Cardosa has the opportunity to build on those skills.
"I've always loved it, and I can see that I will continue to love it," Cardosa said.
He's excited to take part in the first-in-the-nation virtual computer science academy. A hundred high school students from eight counties across the Commonwealth comprise the first class.
Less than 2% of Kentucky high school students earned an industry certification in computer science. Now, this new virtual academy is helping close the gap.
"This program is great for Kentucky, because a lot of the times, whenever I was trying to get into computer science, there weren't very many opportunities," Cardosa said.
A new virtual computer science academy launched this month.
Students from Lawrence, Rockcastle and Owen counties as well as Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Owen and Trimble counties get to participate. Two students from New Horizon Academy also help comprise the first We Lead CS graduating class.
"Glad that some of the classes and things I was able to do in my freshman and sophomore year will be available for people all around the state," said Reese Morgan, a Henry County High School junior.
Together, they are virtually learning how to use Java and Python.
"It's really nice. It's a great program. I am glad they are doing it," Morgan said.
"It's just a really incredible opportunity to be able to share this experience across the state. ILead is super special in that we're giving these opportunities to rural students," Jenna Gray said.
Gray used to work for ILead, a four-year virtual high school. Now she is helping launch We Lead CSÂ as the Director of Student Success.
"This is a profession that is a high need, a high skill, but it can be right from home," Gray said.
Gray said there are more than 3,000 tech jobs available in Kentucky.
The program will also introduce students to web design. Gray also says students will eventually have remote job shadowing opportunities, too.
"Having something like this that's readily available for any high school student who would like to join would be great for both the students, because they would get to learn something, and also just for the State of Kentucky's economy," Cardosa said.
We Lead hopes to add 25 schools and 300 students next year.
Laster this fall, Gray said they plan on hosting 10 family engagement nights at interested Kentucky high schools.
Any interested districts or parents can reach out to Gray at jgray@weleadcs.org.
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