FCPS Career and Technology Center Student House Project

FCPS Career and Technology Center Student House Project

The 33rd FCPS Career & Technology Center (CTC) Student House Project is nearing completion, and several area business partners have helped students complete some important final steps.

The new home, built entirely by students, is located on Fulton Avenue in Walkersville.

Students broke ground in November 2019 for the single-family home with nearly 1,800 square feet of living space. Features include a first-floor master bedroom suite with a walk-in closet and bathroom. It will also include a detached two-car garage.

Recently, Frederick Air Heating and Air Conditioning donated a two-ton Carrier Enterprise residential heat pump system for the house project, simply the latest example of area businesses and organizations supporting a project completed by students in carpentry and cabinet making, HVAC/plumbing, construction electricity, environmental landscape design and computer-aided design classes.
“For generations, the CTC House Project has provided students hands-on learning opportunities,” FCPS Career & Technology Center Principal Michael Concepcion said. “We are so thankful to all of our area businesses and organizations for their generosity to this project even during the global health crisis.”

In addition to the Frederick County Students Construction Trades Foundation, Inc. providing the opportunity, FCPS provides the training facility, instructors and equipment at the CTC. The FCPS Transportation Department provides the bus service and maintains the vehicles required to transport equipment.

FCPS student house projects began in 1978 when educators and business leaders came together to develop an opportunity for students to learn about careers in the construction trades. The program includes instruction in computer-aided design, construction electricity, HVAC/plumbing, environmental landscape design and management, carpentry and cabinet making.

All houses the students build receive the same government inspections as any other dwelling in Frederick, and they are therefore under constant scrutiny. In addition to these inspections, CTC instructors and professional contractors (members of various program-advisory committees) carefully review the work performed. Throughout this process, the students are able see their strengths and learn from areas needing improvement or correction. The end result is an excellent education and an extremely well-built house.

Once the student house is complete, an open house will be scheduled. The proceeds from the home’s sale will go towards buying a lot for a future house project and scholarship opportunities for students.