Each high school in Shawnee Mission houses a different signature program for students who are interested in specific career paths. To make these programs more accessible to students, a new academic center is being built in Lenexa.

“Some students actually transfer schools just so they can have access to a specific program,” engineering teacher Greg Thiel said. “The idea [for the new building] is to bring these programs to a central location.”

The two upper level classes in the engineering program here, called Project Lead the Way, will move to the academic center. Students will travel to the center for their classes then return to their home school for the rest of the day.

The building is scheduled to be finished in January and classes will start next fall. Some teachers, like Thiel, will be moving to the new building full time, as well as new teachers who are being hired by the district.

Right now the building at 8200 W. 71st Street,  is being called the Center for Academic Achievement; however, students will soon get to vote on a more interesting name for the building.

“I’m excited to see the new building,” junior engineering student Elena Kernan said. “It’s going to be really cool. And it’s great that more students will be able to access [the programs].”