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Health
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Beloit Memorial High School Awarded $25,000 State Grant to Build

On-Campus CNA Lab for 2026–2027 Launch

schedule using the WEDC funds, the school An Authentic Long-Term Care Training
district hopes the top-tier workspace will serve
as a strong recruiting tool to attract a local Environment
nursing professional to the classroom in the The state-and-district-funded lab trans-
near future. forms a standard classroom into a simulated
healthcare facility, giving HHES Academy stu-
Removing Barriers to Quadruple dents direct access to industry-grade medical
Student Capacity hardware. The lab features four fully equipped
Historically, BMHS students pursuing CNA lab stations that closely replicate modern
a CNA credential had to coordinate classes long-term care environments:
through outside providers like a local technical • Adjustable Hospital Beds: Medical-grade
college or the CareerTek link. Navigating off- beds allow students to practice proper
site travel and rigid external schedules limited patient positioning, side-rail safety, and
participation. independent mobility transfers.
“Through our outside providers, we typi- • Resident Room Furnishings: Matching
cally have approximately 8-10 students who bedside nightstands, overbed food trays,
complete the CNA course,” noted the BMHS and professional privacy curtains accu-
leadership team. “With our own lab, we look to rately mirror local skilled nursing facilities.
increase that by three or four times the number • Clinical Care Mannequins: Full-body
of students. This lab space will allow our stu- training mannequins allow students to
dents to take the course on our school schedule
Jeff Stenroos,Director of Secondary Educa- As part of our academy structure, we have and in our own building, rather than try to fit it safely master essential clinical skills,
tion, CTE, and Alternative Education a HHES Advisory Committee, which contains in through the technical college or CareerTek. including vital sign assessment, range-of-
School District of Beloit teachers within the academy and partners from motion exercises, and personal care.
Beloit Memorial High School (BMHS) is industry and institutions of higher education.
officially moving forward with the construction This committee meets quarterly to address cur-
of a new Medical Careers Lab over the summer riculum, industry trends, and workforce needs.
and fall months, targeting an opening date of The Instructor Search: Meeting Wis-
January 2027.
The facility will drive an expansion of consin DHS Standards
the Health Care pathway within the school’s The Wisconsin Department of Health
Health, Human, and Education Services Services (DHS) enforces strict regulatory
(HHES) Academy link. The creation of the requirements for Certified Nurse Assistant
high-tech training space was made possible (CNA) instructors. A qualified candidate must
through a $25,000 Fab Labs Grant awarded to be a Registered Nurse (RN) with at least two
Beloit Memorial High School by the Wisconsin years of general nursing experience, including
Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), at least one year of experience in a long-term
backed by an additional 50% in matching funds care facility or a skilled nursing environment.
provided by the School District of Beloit. Because qualified RNs are in high demand
While the physical lab is fully funded and under across the state, finding a professional who also
construction, the district is actively searching holds a passion for teaching high schoolers
for a qualified healthcare educator to lead the remains a challenge. By completing construc-
program. tion on this state-of-the-art facility ahead of

This functioning lab space would help
Collegiate Mentorship and HOSA us grow the Health Science pathway in our
Support academy structure with hands-on space for the
Alongside the physical space, BMHS is enhancement of medical science courses, such
introducing proposed collegiate mentorship as Anatomy and Physiology, plus the develop-
partnerships. College-level nursing and pre- ment of new courses in Athletic Training and
health students will visit the BMHS lab to assist courses directly tied to the nursing and health
high school students who are learning the ropes sciences fields. It will also create a space that
of clinical care. our industry partners could utilize in conjunc-
These collegiate partners will also actively tion with our high school programs, creating
support the high school’s HOSA (Future Health learning and career awareness opportunities.
Professionals) chapter. College mentors will Graduates of the program will be positioned
help BMHS students prepare for competitive to step directly into high-paying, flexible roles
events, develop leadership skills, and navi- through the Youth Apprenticeship program or
gate the transition from high school training to move on to higher education to pursue nursing
advanced medical degrees. or other health care degrees.

www.sdb.k12.wi.us