Arlington School & Family Magazine April/May 2015 | Page 8

District Programs American Dream Story: Fire Academy Cultivates New Talent The Fire Academy has also received the Gold Award from the Texas Association of Partners in Education. 6 Arlington School & Family - April/May 2015 A groundbreaking program created in Arlington was recently given statewide recognition. The AISD Fire Academy trains select high school students from Arlington’s six high schools on firefighting and emergency medical care and enables graduates to immediately enter the workforce after successfully completing the program, helping these students live their American Dream in their hometown of Arlington. The academy, which is a joint partnership between Arlington’s Fire Department, Tarrant County College and the Arlington Independent School District, was recognized by Texas Municipal League receiving a 2014 Municipal Excellence Award in Public Safety. The Fire Academy has also received the Gold Award from the Texas Association of Partners in Education. To get accepted into the program students must have a 4.0 GPA (70 average), good standing with attendance/discipline and fill out an application which includes a one-page essay. Students must also complete Arlington Fire Department’s physical agility test and conduct a panel interview. Applicants are selected based on the information gathered on the student. †