PLAQUEMINE — River Parishes Community College and Iberville Parish Public Schools announced the expansion of their educational opportunities for local high school students on Friday.

The expansion includes the launch of the RPCC ECO Tech Academy at the River Parishes Community College West Side Campus in Plaquemine, which will transition to serving as a dual enrollment location for Iberville Parish Schools.

The transition will provide Iberville Parish School students with direct access to college-level technical education while acting as a dual enrollment location.

“We are incredibly proud to launch this transformative Early College Option in partnership with River Parishes Community College, offering our students a direct pathway to both a high school diploma and a Certificate of Technical Studies,” said Louis M. Voiron, Jr., Ed.D., Iberville Parish Schools Superintendent. 

The expansion builds on the success of RPCC's ECO Tech Academy model, which provided students in Ascension and St. John the Baptist parishes with opportunities to earn college credit while exploring career pathways.

Students enrolled at the Westside ECO Tech Academy will begin pathways in Process Technology and Instrumentation and Electrical Technology.

“By providing specialized programming in high-demand fields like P-Tech and Instrumentation, we are empowering our students to graduate career-ready, equipped with the technical skills and credentials needed to thrive in our regional workforce and achieve long-term success.”