Mayor Highlights Expansion of ATCs to Prepare Students for High-Demand Careers

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education highlighted surging demand for the District’s Advanced Technical Centers (ATCs), highlighting growing student interest in this high-quality Career and Technical Education program. For the 2026-27 school year, nearly 1,000 students applied to attend one of the two ATC campuses and pursue training in the high-wage, in-demand fields of health care and cybersecurity. Data gathered since the opening of the first ATC shows that the center has consistently delivered successful outcomes, with hundreds of students graduating at rates higher than their peers, earning industry-recognized credentials and thousands of college credits, and saving their families millions of dollars in tuition.

Advanced Technical Centers are a critical engine for building the next generation of health care professionals. Through partnerships with hospitals and federally qualified health centers, these programs expand access and create early pathways into clinical careers, giving students meaningful, direct exposure to the field.