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Oconomowoc High School’s New Aviation Pathway Takes Off

the possibility of offering aviation courses— that looks like.”
consulting with local industry partners and the That next step looks different for every
neighboring Pewaukee School District, which student. Some OHS students are interested in
already offers aviation classes. military aviation, including one who hopes
With the help of numerous stakehold- to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
ers—from local pilots to parents of students Another plans to pursue a four-year aviation
interested in aviation, and even an alum who degree, while another is working toward a
is a current flight instructor—the idea came to commercial pilot license and actively logging
fruition. Beginning this year, OHS officially flight hours.
launched its aviation pathway program, offer- Henry Ewart, a senior at OHS, said the
ing two courses: Flights and Aircraft Systems Flight and Aircraft Systems class helped solid-
and Drones in Aviation. The program uses cur- ify his career goals.
riculum from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots “I would say that coming into Flight
Association, which Stefan said is free and and Aircraft Systems, I had a slight feeling I
turnkey, allowing it to be taught in-house by wanted to be a pilot, and leaving the class I
OHS teachers with “a passion for the content.” was confident that being a pilot is what I want
To further engage students, OHS also to do in my future,” said Ewart. “The class
offers a Drone Racing Club and an Aviation showed me the basics of what it’s actually
Club. Through a partnership with Students in like to be in the aviation industry and actu-
Aviation, the school received a flight simula- ally helped me with my first steps of aviation
tor at no cost, providing students with a fun, by making it that much easier with the prior
This year, Oconomowoc High School to choose visit routes that align with specific hands-on experience. knowledge from the class.”
students have a new option on their schedules: career clusters or interests. As interest in avia- Interest in the program has exceeded Outcomes like this are exactly what
aviation. The school’s new aviation career tion grew, the school added an aviation route expectations, Stefan said, and continues Stefan hoped the program would achieve.
pathway introduces students to a wide range several years ago. to grow. Next year, OHS plans to add two “We want to make sure they realize an avi-
of careers from commercial flight to drone “We could really see the lights going on additional courses including an introductory ation career can match any pathway—whether
technology. and kids getting excited,” Stefan said. “More Aviation Exploration class and a higher-level it is workforce, or a two- or four-year school,”
The program was created in response to and more conversations started happening, Piloting & Weather class. The goals of the avi- Stefan said. “We can provide resources, schol-
growing student interest. Kyla Stefan, coor- and we found out some students were already ation pathway vary by student, as OHS aims to arship opportunities, and authentic experiences
dinator of Career Programming at OHS, said taking flight lessons while others were inter- meet students where they are. and knowledge so students are competent to
that over the past several years she noticed an ested. It really started to snowball from there.” “The short-term goal is that they at least take that next step.”
increase in interest in aviation careers, based To better gauge demand, OHS surveyed have exposure to and knowledge of careers in Courtesy of the WI DPI
on conversations with students and data from students about their interest in an aviation club aviation, whether it’s air traffic control, servic-
Xello—Wisconsin's career readiness software. and learning more about aviation careers. The ing planes, or flying them,” Stefan said. “The
Each fall, OHS hosts a Career, College, response, Stefan said, was overwhelming. longer-term goal is to provide students with www.oasd.k12.wi.us
Life Readiness Day, which allows sophomores From there, school officials began exploring access to the next step and show them what
New Flight Simulator Allows Hamilton Students to Explore

Aviation Career Path

sin-based nonprofit group that donated the chance to imagine themselves as future pilots,
simulator ahead of the 2025-26 school year. engineers or air traffic controllers,” she adds.
“We’re really excited about this simulator “It also opens the door to other career paths,
because it allows students and staff to experi- where the same critical thinking and decision-
ence what it’s like to be in the flight deck and making skills are highly valued.”
apply real-world problem-solving skills in a Students interested in learning more
fun, engaging way,” explains Hamilton High about the HHS simulator are encouraged to
School Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, sign up for HHS Aviation Club.
Business and Information Tech Teacher Sheila
Frafjord.
Hamilton students and staff are reportedly www.hamilton.k12.wi.us
impressed with how detailed the technology is.
“Every single airport in the United States is on
that simulator,” shares Hamilton High School
Associate Principal, Extended Learning
Coordinator Marquea Goike. “It is extremely
realistic,” she adds. “You can see Devils Lake
as you fly over Baraboo, Wisconsin!”
Frafjord says the initial reaction from
students has been pure excitement. “Many are
amazed at how realistic it feels and are eager
Hamilton School District ence what it’s like to be inside the flight deck to try it again. Beyond the fun, this simula-
Hamilton High School (HHS) students of an aircraft thanks to the school’s new flight tor connects to a rapidly growing career field
are enjoying the rare opportunity to experi- simulator. Students in Aviation is the Wiscon- in aviation and aerospace, giving students a