Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology

Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology
Location
380 Edison Way

,
Nevada 89502

United States
Coordinates39°30′23″N 119°45′17″W / 39.5063°N 119.7548°W / 39.5063; -119.7548
Information
TypePublic magnet school
MottoWe Serve. We Integrate. We Succeed.
Established2009
School districtWashoe County School District
NCES District ID3200480
PrincipalJason Mattick
Staff28.70 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment530 (2022–23)[1]
Student to teacher ratio18.47[1]
ColorsGrey and Maroon    
MascotTrailblazer (formerly a Phoenix)
RivalEarl Wooster High School
Websitehttps://www.washoeschools.net/aact

The Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT) is a career-tech high school in Reno, Nevada founded in 2009 as a part of the Washoe County School District.[2] According to the U.S. News & World Report, it is the seventh-best high school in Nevada.[3]

AACT is the first high school in Northern Nevada to offer an aviation program.[4] The program uses a facility featuring air traffic control and flight simulators funded by a $1.09 million donation from the Gillemot Foundation.[5] In coordination with the Bureau of Land Management the school also offers a four-year firefighting program.[6]

AACT currently offers seven career and technical education (CTE) programs. In addition to Aviation and Fire Science,[7] academies for Criminal Justice, Communication Arts and Media, Business, Medical, and Culinary[8][9] are offered.[10]

AACT features an embedded EMT education program[11][12] with REMSA Health, Reno-Sparks' ground medical transport franchisee which is headquartered next door.[13] Graduates of the program are qualified to be hired as EMTs with REMSA Health following graduation.

In 2018 Maren Oates, a Communications teacher at the AACT, was charged with engaging in sex with a student.[14] She was placed on administrative leave, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 12–34 months in prison.[15]

Notable Alumni

  • Alyssa Akala, chef and hotel operations manager[16]
  • Jonah Lack, linguist and researcher[16][17]
  • Juliette Northman, comic book artist[16]
  • Hunter Rand, television and film producer, politician[16][18][19]
  • Coleman Smith, live television director[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c "ACADEMY OF ARTS CAREERS & TECH". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "About Our School - Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology". aact.washoeschools.net. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  3. ^ Sauvageau, Carly. "This Reno high school ranked among nation's best, U.S. News says". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  4. ^ Lincoln, Sophie (August 7, 2025). "AACT opens first Aviation Academy in Northern Nevada". KRNV. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  5. ^ Penrose, Kelsey (September 26, 2024). "AACT receives $1 million for district's first aviation program". This Is Reno. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  6. ^ Team, 2 News Nevada Digital (January 18, 2025). "BLM kicks off year two of Fire Science program at AACT in Reno". 2 News Nevada. Retrieved September 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Team, 2 News Nevada Digital (January 18, 2025). "BLM kicks off year two of Fire Science program at AACT in Reno". 2 News Nevada. Retrieved February 10, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Homepage". aact.washoeschools.net. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  9. ^ "AACT in Reno Celebrates Culinary Accreditation". 2 News Nevada. February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  10. ^ "CTE - Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology". aact.washoeschools.net. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  11. ^ Ramos, Anthony (August 29, 2024). "REMSA Health offering paramedic/EMT classes amid shortage in Washoe County". KRXI2. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  12. ^ Cassinari, Andi (June 5, 2019). "Two AACT Students Are Heading to International EMT Competition". 2 News Nevada. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  13. ^ "Care. Community. Innovation". REMSA Health. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  14. ^ Team, News 4 & Fox 11 Digital (January 25, 2019). "Former Washoe County School teacher pleads guilty to sex with a student". KEYE. Retrieved September 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Former Teacher Sentenced to Prison After Sex With Student". 2 News Nevada. April 2, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d "Where Are They Now - AACT". aact.washoeschools.net. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  17. ^ "People – Brain and Second Language Research Laboratory". Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  18. ^ "Hunter Rand | Director, Producer, Editor". IMDb. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  19. ^ Team, 2 News Nevada Digital (July 5, 2025). "Hunter Rand launches campaign for Ward 2 seat on Sparks City Council". 2 News Nevada. Retrieved February 10, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Coleman Smith | Director, Actor, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director". IMDb. Retrieved February 10, 2026.