Tommy Mayer, lead instructor for Tate High School’s Game and Simulation Academy, introduced six students and described the academy’s course sequence, extracurriculars and industry certifications at the Escambia County School District board workshop.

Mayer identified students Bridal Holland, Bridal McClellan, Isabel Aviles, Gavin Van Landingham, Carly Gray and Rhianna McClung and said the academy begins in freshman year with foundational design classes that use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, follows with C# and Unity-based 2D and 3D design in sophomore and junior years, and culminates with senior-level multi-user and VR/AR projects. Mayer said students may also take AP Computer Science Principles and other digital-technology courses and that 115 students are enrolled in the academy.

Mayer said the academy offered industry certifications — including Photoshop, Illustrator, Unity artist/programmer/VR and computational thinking — and that since 2014–15 the program has offered 106 certification types and students have earned more than 1,600 certifications. He listed career pathways including game design and programming, 2D/3D animation, software development, cybersecurity and AI/machine learning, and named employers of graduates including Microsoft, Electronic Arts and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.

Board members applauded the students’ public-speaking skills and the academy’s partnerships and local employment outcomes. A board member said some graduates enter the workforce immediately after high school and earn competitive salaries. District leaders encouraged students to stay for the remainder of the meeting and thanked the instructor for the presentation.