Burlington School District Opens Aviation Center at Burlington Airport
Courtesy of General Aviation News
New Facility Aims to Train Students for Technical Careers
Burlington School District has officially opened its Aviation, Career, and Technical Education Center at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, marking a significant expansion of career and technical education opportunities for Vermont students.
The Project
The center is housed in a renovated hangar at the airport that school district officials described as having been in nearly decrepit condition before the project began. The renovation project carried a total cost of $12 million and was completed under budget, according to district officials.
The project was made possible primarily through a $10 million federal grant secured by then-Senator Patrick Leahy before his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 2023.
What the Center Will Offer
The new facility will serve as home to multiple career and technical education programs operated by the Burlington School District. In addition to the aviation program, the center will house the district’s automotive, design engineering, and manufacturing programs.
According to school district officials, the center is designed to prepare students for high-demand jobs in aviation, engineering, and other technical industries throughout Vermont.
The Location
The center is located at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Vermont’s largest airport. The airport was renamed in 2021 to honor Senator Leahy, who represented Vermont in the U.S. Senate for 48 years.
Housing the aviation program at an active airport provides students with direct access to aircraft, aviation professionals, and the working environment of the aviation industry.
What Happens Next
The center is now operational and serving students in the Burlington School District. The district has not announced specific enrollment numbers or details about how many students the facility can accommodate.
Additional information about the programs and enrollment is available through the Burlington School District.