Rising Aviation High School in Addison recently celebrated its grand opening at Addison Airport. It is the first-ever aviation and aerospace school in North Texas for high school-aged students.
Though the school saw its first class of students last fall, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a grand opening until now, Fox 4 News reported.
Brent Fitzgerald, the principal of Rising Aviation High School, said, “We want to be a game-changer, take kids and their passion and show them the pathway that they can achieve these careers in aviation.” Fitzgerald will also act as the lead flight instructor.
The mission of Rising Aviation High School, a private high school, is to get a new generation interested in aviation.
“Our students will graduate with a high school diploma but also an industry-based certification, remote pilot, and private pilot certificate,” Fitzgerald told Fox 4.
Students at the school participate in core classes, web-based learning, and aviation-related electives. By preparing future pilots at a young age, this high school claims they will be able to give students an advantage in the aviation career field.
Fitzgerald told Fox 4, “We have a lot of flexibility in our program, and that allows us to really get out there, provide students internships, apprenticeships, and flight training during the school day.”
According to the Rising Aviation High School website, the school utilizes programs based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculums.
“Rising Aviation High School educates students who have career aspirations in aviation, wish to expand their aviation industry skill set, or simply want a challenging STEM educational experience in a safe and secure private school setting,” the website states. “We provide a solid foundation for virtually any future academic or career pursuit. Individuals who require an accelerated education schedule, flexibility to maintain attendance, help with credit recovery, or simply desire an immersive learning experience, will all receive a personalized educational ‘flight’ plan designed, from an affordable private school, for their success in aviation and in life.”
A 14-year-old Rising Aviation High School freshman, Cash Lawrence, told Fox 4 the school would help him achieve his dream of becoming a fighter pilot.
“If I could be a fighter pilot, I would be happy the rest of my life,” Lawrence said.
He plans on receiving his remote pilot license, which will allow him to fly drones by the time he is 16.
Lawrence said, “The things we can do here are unrivaled.”
He added, “This is the world’s most awesome office.”
According to Fox 4, the remote piloting career has an average income of between $40,000 and $60,000 a year.
“Remote piloting is the future. It is here now,” Fitzgerald said. “We are constantly seeing drones change industries. From agriculture construction real estate, it is the future of aviation.”
According to Board member Jason Huntsberry, the founders created the school to reach the high demand for aviation and pilot careers.
Huntsberry told Fox 4, “We are training students to build rocket ships to the moon or be ramp agents or air traffic controllers. A lot of the aviation careers are very lucrative.”
There is currently fundraising underway to help students with tuition assistance, and some scholarships are already available. Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is open.
