A Red Clay Consolidated School District magnet school preparing students in grades 6-12 for college and careers in biotechnology and allied health (edline.net/pages/RCConrad)
Thanks to a tremendous projected demand for allied health and biotechnology professionals, Conrad exists. It thrives because the rigorous biotech and allied health curriculum at the center of a traditional high school experience prepares students for higher education without boxing them in, says Conrad principal Mark Pruitt.
Concentrations include Biotechnology Research, Biomedical Science, Veterinary Science, Nurse Tech, and Physical Therapy/Athletic Healthcare. Through job shadowing and mentoring with industry partners, a capstone research project, and access to teachers with traditional and industry backgrounds, Conrad students learn, grow and hone their ideas about what they want to do in life, Pruitt says.
“Science is a way of thinking. Students may come in wanting to be a surgeon, or just know they like science,” he says. “Here, they may discover they want to work behind a microscope, or like our valedictorian, study political science to be an attorney.”
Conrad students can graduate with a jump start on college with AP and dual-enrollment courses, or be workforce ready as a certified nursing assistant. This young school has graduated less than 40 students but they are making their mark in universities throughout the region and nation, including: Johns Hopkins, Drexel, University of Delaware, Long Island University, West Chester University, University of Hartford, Delaware State, Wilmington University, and University of Pittsburgh.
This year, there were more than 500 applicants for 160 spaces. There is no entrance exam, but preference is given to Conrad Middle students, then in-district students.
Did you know: Established in 2007, Conrad is already a standout among state public schools: ranking third overall in percentage of students meeting proficiency standards (84 percent in math, 90 percent in reading).
