MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — While many high school students spend their days in classrooms, a group of Mattoon High School juniors and seniors get hands-on education by building a house from the ground up.
Mattoon High School work on new home build in Mattoon.Â
Led by Construction Trades Teacher Troy Haacke, the Building Trades program at Mattoon High School gives students real-world experience in the construction industry. Haacke told WAND News the students do it all, from laying the foundation to installing drywall and painting walls.
"We have the foundation put in, and then once that's done, the kids come in right behind it and start on the flooring, build the walls, all the way through to the the rafters."
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The class, offered to juniors and seniors, combines classroom learning with on-site work. Students first learn tools and equipment safety, construction terms, blueprint reading, and material estimating before moving onto the job site. There, they assist with everything from framing and roofing to electrical wiring and siding installation.
This year, about 40 students worked on the project. Each student is assigned specific responsibilities inside the house and they take ownership of a room, handling electrical work, drywall, painting, flooring, and trim installation. That ownerships has helped students develop pride and teamwork skills that extend beyond the construction site.
"There's very few things out here that they do individually. They have to work together," Haacke explained. "The teamwork and the bonding that goes on and they just really get along well together."
Beyond the classroom, the Building Trades program has left a lasting impact on the Mattoon community. Many former students have gone on to successful careers as construction engineers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals, roofers, contractors, and even educators—including one who now teaches alongside Haacke at Mattoon High School.
The current home project is expected to be completed by June.
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