Grundy Area Vocational Center

05/15/2026

A first for our GAVC Building Trades program!

On Thursday, we proudly hosted an Open House and Signing Day celebration recognizing four senior students who have officially been accepted into the apprenticeship program through Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and secured employment opportunities through three of our outstanding community business partnerships.

Congratulations:

Blake Ness - D. Construction
Owen Noon - Narvick Bros.
Aaron Maxwell - D. Construction
Sean Lewis - Vissering Construction

These students are taking an incredible next step toward strong, successful futures in the skilled trades, and we could not be more proud of their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments.

Thank you to our industry partners, instructors, families, and community members who continue to support Career & Technical Education and help create life-changing opportunities for our students. The future is bright at GAVC! 🔨🏠

05/13/2026

🏠🔨 OPEN HOUSE at the GAVC Project House! 🔨🏠

Thursday, May 14th from 4-7pm

Come check out what our talented GAVC students have been building and working on all year long!

Take a walk through the house, meet some of the students behind the project, and see Career & Technical Education in action! 👏

We will be also be honoring a few of our students who have been accepted into an apprenticeship program through our partnership with the Carpenters Local 174.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication and craftsmanship our students have shown throughout this project — and we can’t wait to share it with the community!

05/13/2026

We are so incredibly grateful for our amazing community partnerships!

An AMAZING partnership! Thank you to the Grundy Area Vocational Center for recognizing Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers as the recipient of their 2026 Partnership of the Year Award! This honor reflects the strong collaboration between our organizations and a shared commitment to education, workforce development, and community health. As we continue to celebrate hospital week, we are reminded the importance of helping mentor the next generation of healthcare professions in our community. Thank you to all of our staff who provide meaningful learning opportunities for GAVC students!

05/13/2026

Four students from Grundy Area Vocational Center were recognized Tuesday evening by Regional Office of Education Superintendent Meghan Martin and the Grundy County Board for earning state championships in their respective SkillsUSA competitions. The students’ outstanding achievements are listed below:

Nicolette Boelman and Kaylee Maddox — 1st Place, Preschool Interactive Display

Blake Ness — 1st Place, Carpentry (advancing to national competition in June)

Evelyn Wills — 1st Place, Professional Learning Portfolio

Congratulations to these exceptional students on this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence have truly paid off, and we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments. See less

05/12/2026

Did you know Grundy Area Vocational Center is launching its brand-new Aviation Program for the upcoming school year!?

Students will have the opportunity to explore the exciting world of aviation through hands-on learning experiences, industry-focused instruction, and career exploration in one of the fastest-growing industries in the country.

We will be hosting a Student & Parent meeting for those who are currently enrolled for the upcoming school year, as well as those considering participation in the program, on May 19th from 5:00–5:30 p.m. at the Morris Airport

Morris Municipal Airport will also be hosting its Tail Dragger Tuesdays this evening from 5:30pm until dark.

"Come out and experience the charm of the airport and enjoy some great food at the same time. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, pilot, or looking for something unique to do, this is a great chance to connect with the local flying community, check out some classic planes, and enjoy a relaxed evening at the airport!"

05/08/2026

Grundy Area Vocational Center is proud to celebrate Welding II student and graduating senior Caden Nelson on his official Signing Day!

Caden has accepted a position as a Welder with Vactor Manufacturing, taking the next step toward a successful career in the skilled trades. His hard work, dedication, and commitment to the GAVC welding program have prepared him well for this exciting opportunity.

Congratulations, Caden! We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing all you achieve in the future.

05/06/2026

🌟 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of our extraordinary Teachers & Assistants! You bring out the best in everyone, whether at work or at play, and make a lasting impact. Thank you for all you do!

05/05/2026

GAVC Criminal Justice 2 students took learning beyond the classroom, completing job shadowing experiences with local law enforcement agencies! 🚔 From patrol to investigations, students gained real-world insight and hands-on exposure to careers in criminal justice, thanks to our amazing community partners! 👏

05/01/2026

We loved welcoming Coal City Middle School’s 6th graders to GAVC this week! 👏

Students had the opportunity to tour our campus, explore hands-on programs, and get an early look at the many future career pathways available to them. From Agriculture to Welding, and everything in between, it was a great day of discovery. Thank you for visiting!

04/30/2026

Our Criminal Justice 1 students are building real-world dispatch skills using retired radios generously donated by the Grundy County Consolidated 911 Center and Coal City Fire Protection District. From calling in traffic stops to documenting critical information, students are stepping into both officer and dispatcher roles for an authentic experience.👏🚓