Fitz Tech A Public School Of Choice For Auto Repair

WARREN, Mich., July 1 -- Fitzgerald Public Schools today announced a new web site dedicated to their Automotive and Pre-Engineering Technology Institute, Fitz Tech. The site, www.fitz.k12.mi.us/fitztech , will enable parents and students interested in applying to the program during the application period between July 15-29, 2002, to review course descriptions, download and print the application forms, and review audio and video clips of the program. Email links and telephone numbers are also available on the website for any questions not answered by the information contained in the site.

Through Schools of Choice, Fitz Tech is open to high school students in grades 9-12 from Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer and St. Clair counties. The institute will be housed in a $4.2 million, 33,500 square-foot building adjacent to Fitzgerald High School. To be completed later this month, Fitz Tech will have 13 auto service bays, two automotive classrooms, and a library for the auto technology program. In addition, there will also be two computer labs, three pre-engineering labs, two classrooms, and a multi-purpose room.

Fitz Tech offers special opportunities to students interested in two career areas: automotive technology and pre-engineering, in addition to a traditional high school diploma. The auto technology program has 56 student openings and the pre-engineering program has 22 student openings for the 2002- 03 school year for high school students outside the Fitzgerald school district.

Students can graduate from the auto technology program with a high school diploma and Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, which allows them to earn up to $40,000 as automotive technicians their first year out of high school. Fitz Tech is certified by the Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) program, www.ayes.org , and has strong affiliations with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen. The AYES certification demonstrates the school's commitment to an educational approach that is based on high, national standards and features internships, mentoring, high-quality instruction and an emphasis on technical and workplace skills.

The pre-engineering program provides students a concentrated curriculum in science and math, as well as experience in problem-solving and teamwork approaches. Students will have the opportunity to explore career paths in all areas of engineering including automotive, information, mechanical, civil, electrical, and industrial engineering. Graduates of the program can earn college credit for some of their courses and will be positioned to compete strongly for college admissions and scholarships. A bio-engineering program is also being planned for the near future.

In addition to the new web site, information about Fitz Tech can be obtained by calling 586-755-3072.