Huron High School collaborates with Lake Area Tech on aviation education expansion

In a significant move to enhance educational opportunities for high school students, Huron School District 2-2 announced a partnership with Lake Area Technical College to expand its career and technical education programs. This collaboration will introduce an aviation program, alongside existing offerings in diesel technology and machine tech tooling, aimed at preparing students for future careers in these fields.

During the recent Board of Education meeting, officials detailed the exciting new curriculum set to launch in the spring of 2026. The aviation program will initially focus on unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. Students will have the chance to earn both high school and college credits through two classes: a three-credit course and a one-credit course. The majority of the instruction will take place online, complemented by hands-on experiences where students can fly drones under the guidance of qualified instructors from Lake Area Tech.

Looking ahead, the district plans to offer a private pilot ground school course in the fall of 2026, further enriching the aviation curriculum. This course will be taught face-to-face in the high school's dedicated aviation classroom, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The district is also collaborating with Wildair, a new operator at the local airport, to secure an instructor for this course.

In addition to the core classes, an optional course on aircraft meteorology will be available for students willing to pay for the extra instruction. This course will delve into how weather conditions affect flight, adding another layer of depth to the aviation program.

The initiative has received approval from the South Dakota Department of Education and is designed to fit within the district's budget, with an estimated cost of $10,000 for each section of the program. This strategic investment reflects the district's commitment to providing valuable career pathways for students, and the excitement surrounding the partnership with Lake Area Tech and local aviation stakeholders suggests a promising future for aspiring aviators in Huron.