FAQ
As a state-approved interdistrict CTE consortium, WANIC's primary mission is to provide quality, diverse, and cost-effective career and technical education for all students through interdistrict cooperation.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
What is WANIC Skill Center?
WANIC Skill Center offers high quality tuition-free technical and professional training for high school Juniors and Seniors. These year-long, advanced-level Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are based on rigorous academic and industry standards and prepare students for career and college readiness. WANIC programs offer dual credit opportunities (both high school and college credit) and/or lead to industry certifications. Programs are designed in three period blocks allowing extended time to not only learn the theory of a subject, but to also get authentic hands-on lab experience. All classes earn Occupational/Career & Technical Education high school credits and may offer other course equivalencies towards high school graduation requirements.
WANIC operates as a cooperative consortium of seven local school districts. Member districts are: Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Riverview, and Snoqualmie Valley. WANIC serves as a branch campus of all area high schools providing programs that would normally not be offered in every comprehensive high school due to high operative and equipment costs or not enough student enrollment at the school. Instructor to student ratio is low in several skill center programs, allowing the Skill Center staff the time to get to know each student and address their unique learning styles.
WANIC Skill Center is one of 14 Skill Centers in Washington State.
How is the program funded?
In the spring of 2007 new language related to the Skill center student FTE was adopted. The new rules allow for the following: Taken from the 2007-2008 Enrollment Reporting Handbook, Page 17 - 18 2. If a student enrolls in both a high school and a Skill center, they may be claimed up to a total 1.60 FTE based upon their enrolled hours. The 1.00 FTE limit applies separately to the high school FTE and the Skill center FTE. If a student enrolls in Summer Skills Academy which claims a .1 FTE, this will be factored in to the student's previous academic year FTE. Example 1: A student is enrolled in the Skill center for three hours a day, five days a week and also is enrolled in their high school for three hours a day, five days a week. The student’s FTE would be split as follows: 0.60 – for the Skill center 0.60 – for the high school Example 2: A student is enrolled in high school six hours a day, five days a week and also is enrolled in the Skill center three hours a day, five days a week. The student’s FTE would be split as follows: 0.60 – for the Skill center 1.00 – for the high school What does this mean for the skill center student?
- Provides state funding for additional options for zero hour and 7th hour academic support classes at both the Skill center and at high schools
- Provides state funding for options for late afternoon expansion of course offerings at WANIC, i.e. 2:45 – 6 PM, Monday - Thursday
Reference: 2007-2008 Enrollment Reporting Handbook, Page 17 – 18
What districts are part of the wanic consortium?
Programs are open to students in WANIC's seven member school districts: Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Riverview, and Snoqualmie Valley. Students who live outside of those district boundaries may participate on a space-available basis with permission from their resident school district.
Is transportation Provided?
WANIC Consortium districts do not provide transportation. Students must provide their own transportation. Parking options vary by the location offering the program and it is the responsibility of the student to learn if parking permits are required and available.
How does the WANIC program prepare students for post high school?
Advanced training, employment preparation, and experience in a career field are available to students while still attending high school. Students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and practice reading, math, and written and oral communication skills related to the workplace through integration of these skills into the curriculum. Many classes also offer advanced placement options at area community and technical colleges.
Questions?
Contact WANIC by emailing wanic@lwsd.org or calling 425-739-8400.
Who is eligible?
For funding and reporting purposes, students must be registered in a public high school in the Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Riverview, Snoqualmie Valley school districts. Private and homeschoolers, please register with your local high school and inform them you are doing so to participate in WANIC.