The Academy of Technology and Advanced Manufacturing (ATAM) is a four-year career academy within Cary High School and part of Wake County Public Schools. It is a smaller learning community in which a cohort of students have core and Engineering/Manufacturing classes together. Academy teachers share the cohort students and work together to integrate technology into their curricula as well as develop interdisciplinary projects. Class sizes in ATAM are comparable to other classes at CHS.

Under current school board policy, only students assigned to Cary High School may apply and be admitted to ATAM. All rising freshmen assigned to AHS may apply. ATAM is a four-year program so students cannot be admitted to ATAM after 9th grade. Students must be on the standard course of study and have an interest in Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, and technology.

No. Students will learn skills in Technology, Engineering and/or Advanced Manufacturing via multiple technical courses over four years. Students should enjoy using and learning about technology.

No. While many ATAM students are interested in Technolgoy, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing careers, the skills students will learn in ATAM are transferable to any career choice.

• Learning advanced technical and/or manufacturing skills
• Learning Advanced communication, teamwork and problem solving skills
• Be introduced to the professional work environment
• Learn how to build a professional network
• Have access to well-paying, in-demand careers after graduation
• Have access to internship and apprenticeship programs
• Get a head start on college and career
• Be part of a group of students and teachers that become like family
• Be empowered to enter the workforce confident and ready to succeed

No. All courses follow the NC standard course of study. What will be different are the integration of technology into core classes, interdisciplinary approach to teaching, and project-based learning. Work-based learning and 21st Century Skills are also a strong point of focus in ATAM courses. ATAM students will have many projects that involve working in teams and giving presentations.

No. ATAM students may participate in athletics, marching band and/or clubs at CHS or any activities that are after the school day. Many ATAM students do participate in athletics and/or clubs. 

Students are required to purchase an ATAM shirt (approximately $25) in 9th grade and pay expenses for field trips. The inability to pay will not have any impact on student participation in ATAM. The Academy Support will try to provide funding for need-based situations whenever posible. 

We expect students and their parents/guardians to seriously consider their decision to enroll because we expect a four-year commitment to the program’s responsibilities and requirements. There are limited spots in each yearly cohort. A spot given to your student may result in another person not getting into the academy. Most of the time, student conflicts have been worked out to allow students to meet their goals and stay in the ATAM. If the conflict cannot be resolved, then the student and parent must submit a letter to the Cary High School administration and academy director requesting to drop ATAM. The decision to drop will be made on a case-by-case basis.