Gulf Shores High School

Summer WAVE

Gulf Shores City Schools

Principal, Mrs. Cindy Veazey

Superintendent, Dr. Matt Akin

The Gulf Shores High School Summer WAVE, a regional winner of 2022 Governor’s WBL Award, is an innovative, personalized, rigorous, and relevant Work-Based Learning and credit advancement opportunity. Students in the program chose from CTE and core course options paired with a paid internship and aligned with community and student needs. The courses were place- and project-based to engage students and the community. Over 75% of course time was dedicated to fieldwork and experiences and offered students an innovative curriculum and schedule: Core and CTE options included Sustainability Academy Marine Science or Gulf Coast Environmental Science (with honors option), Aviation Academy Tango Flight, and CTE Lab (projects included building 60 bikes); a flexible work and non-traditional class schedule; and small classes. The Summer WAVE offered students paid internships ($15/hour) at partner businesses and organizations. Students in the program had unique fieldwork experiences, including Mock Sea Turtle Nest build, Oyster Gardening, Bon Secour Fisheries, Reefmaker, Mariculture Center, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Hangar Lab/Van's RV-12 Build, and Continental Factory. One student in the program completed his private pilot’s license after earning a $10,000 EAA Scholarship. Successes of the program include increased attendance, test scores, capstone projects, engagement/interest in Sustainability and Aviation Academies, and an A on the recent school report card (the only high school in Mobile and Baldwin Counties to earn an A).