对于杰克·詹姆斯高中的学生们来说，新学年开始得非常顺利。在过去的18个月里，学校进行了一项价值1000万美元的重大改造，主要集中在了升级职业和技术研究领域，包括汽车修复、园艺与景观设计、儿童照护和发展以及建筑工程。

“当学生们进入这些新空间时，看到他们的第一反应真是太棒了。特别是其中一个车间，对学生们来说简直是让人惊叹，因为空间足够大，可以在室内建造房屋的一部分，”校长托马斯·迪克说。

学校与Homes by Avi建筑公司有合作关系，在学校的建筑技术项目中建造了一个房屋的部分。在进行现代化改造之前，房屋建设项目是在室外进行的，有时会受到恶劣天气条件的影响。现在，学生们可以在整个学年安全地在室内学习房屋建设和实际应用知识。

“我说不出话来...太令人印象深刻了...我喜欢一切，”十年级学生约翰说。
这次现代化改造创建了符合行业标准的学习空间，增加了学生的机会，并支持教学计划。无论是汽车修复课堂上的升降台和喷漆房，还是园艺和景观设计的新温室，学生们都在学习如何正确使用适当的工具和设备。

“学生们可以接触到他们进入行业区域时将会遇到的确切设备。由于他们的准备周全，学生们将会在进入职场或者大学环境时受益于他们的自信心，”迪克说。

“我喜欢更大的工作空间和所有的现代化设备。这比我在参观过的车间要好，”十一年级学生安德鲁说。

对于这所建于1980年的高中而言，最显着的改进之一就是为学校提供了额外的空间，以及与其他地区高中的学生共享教学计划的机会。离杰克·詹姆斯高中步行距离内，这使得邻近学校的学生们能够轻松接触到杰克·詹姆斯高中的选修课程，这些课程需要专业设备、空间和教学。反过来，杰克·詹姆斯高中的学生们也能参加在Forest Lawn高中提供的职业技术研究课程。

“我们能够容纳更多的学生，并为他们提供理想的学习和实践相关技能的空间，”迪克说。“来自不同高中的学生们一起共事，使得他们在工作场所通常才会发生的“真实世界”互动成为可能。”

对于这座建于1980年的高中，还进行了其他几项改进，包括升级机械/电气系统，改善建筑无障碍性和外部环境，以及教室空间的整修。

The new school year is off to a great start for students at Jack James High School. Over the past 18 months the school underwent a $10 million major modernization which focused on upgrading Career and Technology Studies spaces for auto body, horticulture and landscaping, child care and development, and building trades.

“It is wonderful to see the students’ first reactions as they enter these new spaces. One shop in particular is awe-inspiring for students, as the space is large enough to build part of a house indoors,” says Principal Thomas Dueck.

The school has a partnership with Homes by Avi to construct a portion of a home as part of the school’s building trades program. Prior to the modernization, the home construction project took place outside and was sometimes hampered by poor weather conditions. Students are now able to focus on learning about home construction and the practical application of that knowledge because they can work safely indoors throughout the school year.

“I am speechless…it is just so impressive…I like everything about it,” says John, Grade 10 student.
The modernization has created industry-standard learning spaces that enhance opportunities for students and support programming. From the lifts and paint booths in the auto body classroom to the new greenhouse for horticulture and landscaping, students are learning to use the proper tools and equipment in the right environment.

“Students have access to work on the exact equipment they will encounter when entering a trade area. The confidence students will have as a result of their preparation will benefit them in their transition to the workplace or a college setting,” says Dueck.

"I love the larger space to work in and all the modern equipment. It is better than what I’ve seen in garages I’ve visited,” says Andrew, Grade 11 student.

One of the most notable improvements to the school is the additional space it has provided and the opportunity to share programming with students at other area high schools. Forest Lawn High is within walking distance, which gives students from this neighbouring school easy access to optional courses at Jack James that require specialized equipment, space and instruction. In turn, Jack James High School students will be able to take CTS courses that are offered at Forest Lawn High School.

“We are able to accommodate more students and provide students with an ideal amount of space to learn and practice relevant skills,” says Dueck. “Students working alongside each other from different high schools allows for “real world” interactions that usually occur only in the work place.”

Several other improvements to the high school, which was built in 1980, included upgrading mechanical/electrical systems, improvements to building accessibility and the exterior as well as classroom space renovations.