High school students and parents in Dearborn Public Schools, as well as community and business members, are invited to an open house at Michael Berry Career Center on Feb. 21, 2024 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The event will allow students and guests to learn more about different vocational programs offered in the district, including those housed at the career center and those at one of the Dearborn Public Schools’ three traditional high schools. The evening will also include a college and career fair related to the career paths offered through the district. The center is part of the Dearborn Heights Campus at 22586 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights.
“We are passionate about helping students find classes that interest them and in helping them explore career options and start preparing for life after graduation,” said John Bayerl, who oversees the career and technical education programs in the district.
Michael Berry Career Center offers career classes in education, computer science and programming, criminal justice and law, culinary arts and hospitality, business, health sciences, and information and technology design. High schools offer classes for automotive technicians (Edsel Ford and Fordson high schools), construction trades (Fordson and Dearborn High), and welding (Edsel). Those high school-based programs will also provide information at the career center open house. Parents and students can learn more about the programs and what classes are offered on the Michael Berry Career Center website.
Next year the district plans to add cyber security as a new field of study at Michael Berry Career Center. The addition comes as both demand and interest in the field is increasing. Students will earn industry certifications, as well as prepare to transition to the prestigious Henry Ford College Cyber Center and multiple four-year university programs. There is a high demand for students with these credentials both locally and nationally.
All Dearborn career programs can lead to professional certifications in areas such as safe food handling, automotive technician, Microsoft Office Specialist, medical assisting and many others.
At the open house, guests can meet teachers and students in the various programs and see examples of the work students do in the classes. Representatives from different area employers and colleges will be on hand to provide information about related career pathways.
The district provides busing to and from Michael Berry Career Center for students interested in those programs. Students who are sophomores, juniors or seniors spend three class periods a day at the Berry Center taking career-related classes and the rest of their day at their home high school taking core academic classes.
“We hope everyone is able to come by on Feb. 21 to learn more about our programs and what we offer students,” Bayerl said.