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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation opens

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Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation had its first opening day of school, ever, ushering in a host of programs aimed to prepare students for myriad technical and professional careers.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, the newest school in Pasco County Schools, welcomed its inaugural crop of 570 freshmen and sophomores on the first day of school, Aug. 10. The school’s official address is 32555 Innovation Way. It’s where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel. (Fred Bellet)

Some of those work opportunities already exist.

Others are expected to emerge in the future.

In either case, this high school will provide a broad array of opportunities for students, offering technical training, as well as opportunities for advanced placement, dual enrollment and general classroom work.

The school, at 32555 Innovation Drive, is located at the intersection where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel.

The magnet school represents the first technical school of its type on the eastern side of the county.

Housed in a building that has a modernistic architectural design, the school’s programs include: applied cybersecurity and computer science, automotive maintenance and light repair; diesel maintenance; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; digital media and multimedia; applied engineering, robotics; welding technology; patient care technician; and, electricity.

The school opened with 570 freshmen and sophomores, but will add additional grades to create a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.

Students will be able to earn standard diplomas and industry certifications, as well as take Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses.

The school doesn’t have sports teams, but students will be able to play for the schools in which they are zoned.

The school will have clubs, with specifics determined by school and staff.

Published August 17, 2022

The school’s initials — KRAI — are on bold display on a base outside the main entrance of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Meanwhile, in the background, students are heading to classes on the school’s second floor.
Students arrive for the first day of classes in the inaugural school year at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. The magnet school is beginning with just freshmen and sophomores, and will add grade levels to become a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.
Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation Principal Dee Dee Johnson greets students as they arrive for the first day of school. She also waves to cars near the drop-off point.
Fourteen-year-old Urijah Naughton, left, Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Mobley, 14-year-old Jayden Rivera and 14-year-old Joshua Barnes pause on their way to class, for the students to have their picture taken with Mobley, the new school’s resource officer.
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning stands near rows of cameras, tripods and accessories in the Digital Media Multimedia Design class at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Browning took a brief tour of the school on opening day of the 2022-2023 school year in Pasco County Schools.
Jennifer Schwiegart, a learning design specialist at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, helps 16-year-old Malachi Miller find his classroom on a school map.

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  1. I’m very happy my grandson Lucas Faulkner it’s attending this great school concept he was selected for Cybersecurity it’s great for Pasco County my son attended Tampa Bay Tech and he took air conditioning and graduated Oustanding Senior
    Them past the board test and became certified A/C Contractor and worked on our family business while going to college he’s been managing our family very successful small business for years and I know my grandson would due great since he’s father it’s a Computer Ingeneer the knowledge it’s past on through generations but a Tech High School it’s an excellent choice

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