Sussex County Vocational Technical School District partners with Capstone Homes to create first-of-its-kind learning house at new Sussex Technical High School
Source: SC Vocational TSD
(Georgetown, DE) – Sussex County Vocational Technical School District is excited to announce a partnership with Capstone Homes to create the Raven House, an innovative learning cutaway house built within the electrical technologies section of the new Sussex Technical High School.
Believed to be the first project of its kind in the nation, the cut away Raven House will provide students with a unique, hands-on learning environment designed to bring classroom instruction to life.
The Raven House will serve both high school and adult education students enrolled in the districtās construction trades programs, offering practical experience in residential and commercial carpentry, electrical technologies, plumbing, and welding. By working with a real-world learning model, students will have the opportunity to develop valuable technical skills and gain experience to help prepare them for careers in the construction industry.
The Raven House will be constructed using Capstone Homesā Raven floor plan designed as a fully functional, cutaway-style home serving as a real-world training environment for students. Much like a flight simulator allows pilots to prepare for real-life situations, the Raven House will give students the opportunity to develop practical construction skills in a controlled, hands-on setting.
From the exterior, most of the home will appear complete, while the interior will feature a combination of finished areas, partially completed sections, and exposed building systems. Working mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will allow students to learn how a home operates, practice installations, troubleshoot problems, and gain experience with the same challenges they will encounter in the field. The goal is to create a permanent, interactive learning environment preparing students for careers in the skilled trades which can be utilized for generations to come.
“Having a well-trained, skilled workforce is essential to supporting our community and the future of Sussex County. By giving students the opportunity to learn in a real, hands-on construction environment, we can help prepare them for successful careers in the skilled trades. Our hope is this experience not only opens doors to rewarding careers here at home but also inspires some of these students to one day start businesses of their own,” said Jake Booth, President of Capstone Homes.
The Raven House was drawn by Taylor Dockety, a 2014 Sussex Technical High School graduate who now serves as an Architectural Designer at Capstone Homes. Her professional journey is an example of how local students can build successful careers in the industry and opportunities for the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
As a local, family-owned company with deep roots in Sussex County spanning generations, Capstone Homes recognizes the importance of investing in the community and its future workforce.
“Being part of this community makes it especially meaningful for us to help create opportunities for local students and the next generation of our workforce,” Booth added.
The project grew out of a collaboration between Jake Booth and Kevin Carson, retired Sussex County Vocational Technical School District Superintendent, who shared a vision of providing construction trades students with hands-on experiences to connect their education to the demands of the workforce.
Through this partnership, Sussex County Vocational Technical School District and Capstone Homes are investing in more than a building. They are investing in students, workforce development, and the future of the local construction industry. The Raven House will serve as a lasting educational resource for years to come, helping prepare students for employment, career advancement, and potential entrepreneurship in the skilled trades.
