A new classroom wing under construction at John Marshall Enterprise High School, 12201 N. Portland Ave., is to help with efforts to provide new educational programming in aviation and health sciences.
The new wing at JMEHS will provide classroom and lab space for the new programs offered to the nearly 800 students who attend the school. Nabholz is the contractor of the classroom wing designed by Studio Architect and funded through an Oklahoma City Public School Bond Issue. The project has a projected completion date for the 2026-2027 school year.
Upon graduation students who have completed the new programming are ready to pursue careers in aviation including piloting, air traffic control, and drone operation. Students in a new health science program are prepared for careers in pre-nursing, dentistry, or to pursue careers as an emergency medical technician or certified nurse aide.
“Within the next four years, our graduates will be qualified experts or on their way to gainful employment or educational opportunities,” said third year JMEHS Principal Rachelle’ Conner. “They will be lifelong learners that are contributing to a vibrant community.”
Principal Conner said JMESH parents are excited about the opportunities the new programs for their children.
“Our students will be able to graduate high school with a student pilot license, drone certification or on track to enter an 18-month program with some amazing benefits and immediate employment upon successful completion,” said Principal Conner. ‘The idea of students becoming pilots is far reaching for many of our students, so they aren’t all the way convinced it is for them.
“Our goals include showing students they can fly the plane or work on the plane through Metro Tech. They can operate drones for the military, marketing, real estate and other types of companies,” she said. “We are thrilled that parents are asking a lot of the right questions to advance the trajectory of excellence for their children.”
Conner said school leaders surveyed the needs in the state along with families and other stakeholders for their input.
“We did our own research about shortages that exist and how we could create resources for those needs,” she said. “As it turns out, the University of Oklahoma has one of the top-rated colleges for aviation. They’re expanding their program to meet the needs of our society.
“Health Science occupations are in demand as well,” she added. “The most recent medical scare clearly indicated to us the importance of people with the skills and knowledge best to support our community at large.
“We can’t afford to have another drought of expertise again,” she said. “We’re learning and predicting or forecasting how to be ahead of things that may significantly impact our community. We’re committed to being on the cutting edge of greatness.
“It is exciting to create a career path that supports our students. We have many students that want to be nurses, so it’s exciting to create a career path that supports that outcome,” she said. “Students can earn their CNA certification before graduating high school.
“Hopefully our students will opt to consider other options like dentistry, premed, audiology and so on,” she continued. “The opportunities for young people are unlimited whether they choose college, trade school or entrepreneurship and we want to be a part of that amazing journey.”
Connor says there are no prerequisites to participate in the new Aviation and Health Sciences programs at JMEHS.
“Unlike other schools, we want to open the doors to all that are interested,” said Conner. “There may be students that don’t even realize they have an aptitude for any of these offerings.”
Although the new classroom space is not scheduled to open until next year, the school has already started offering the new curriculum to students.
“Last year we offered introductory classes in health science through Career and Technical Education (CTE),” said Conner. “This year we are offering classes through the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and supporting that with an OU Pilot Program Senior in Aviation.
“The opportunities for young people are unlimited whether they choose college, trade school or entrepreneurship, and we want to be a part of that amazing journey.” she added. “We believe, the more our student see, they more they will believe and the more they will achieve.”
2025-09-05 21:50:00