What Is It Known For?
The Capital Area Career Center started in 1966 as the Springfield Area Vocational Center, serving 192 high school students in a remodeled car dealership. Over time, the growing demand for job training led to bigger spaces and new courses. By 1971, over 700 students attended, including adults in nursing programs. Community support helped pass a 1973 funding plan, and a new building opened in 1977 with space for 1,200 students. The school updated its name in 1997 to reflect wider career training goals and partnerships with local colleges.
Today, the center serves over 850 high school students from 21 districts and 200 adults in fields like nursing, cosmetology, and skilled trades. Recent years brought new courses in medical assisting, HVAC, and horticulture to match job needs. After a drop in enrollment during the 2000s, updated programs and partnerships with hospitals and colleges have boosted numbers. Students now earn both high school and college credits while gaining hands-on skills, keeping the center a vital part of career education in central Illinois.
Degrees & Certifications
The Capital Area Career Center provides 22 hands-on programs for high school students and adults, including:
- Adult LPN & CNA
- Audio/Video Production
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Electronics & Engineering
- Building Trades
- Fire Science
- Medical Assistant
- Networking Cybersecurity
- Photography
- And Many More!
Class Schedules
Most programs run during weekday mornings and afternoons, focusing on labs, workshops, and real-world projects. The exception is the Adult CNA program, which holds evening classes from 5:00-9:30 PM. All training happens on-site using industry-standard tools, with no online options or externships. Students gain experience through in-house clinics or simulations instead of off-site placements.
Is It Legit?
Yes. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools, a recognized authority for career-focused education.
Acceptance Rate
The center has an open admission policy, welcoming all students who meet basic requirements like age or grade-level criteria.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Most high school programs at the Capital Area Career Center are offered at no cost, aligning with typical career center models. The Adult Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is an exception, requiring a one-time payment of $1,138 at registration. This fee includes tuition, training materials, and CPR certification.
For other adult courses, such as LPN or skilled trades, pricing details are not publicly listed. Prospective students should contact the school directly for clarity on costs, scholarships, or payment plans.
Programs & Courses
Criminal Justice & Law
- Law Enforcement
Healthcare
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
Professional Services
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Graphic Arts
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Technology & Servicing
- Building Trades
- Fire Science
- HVAC & Electrical Systems Technology
- Welding
Technology
- IT Networking and Cybersecurity
Campus Locations
Springfield CACC, 2201 Toronto Road, Springfield, IL 62712
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the Capital Area Career Center has a mixed reputation, with a very limited number of reviews that are separated by a long period of time. One review, which is nearly two decades old, is positive, while the only recent review is highly critical.
Overall Score: 3.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
Positive Reputation (Dated): A review from 2006 describes the nursing program as “top flight” and mentions hearing good things about the IT training, praising the school as a key element of the local community college.
Common Criticisms
Unprofessional Administration: The only recent review, from early 2024, is highly critical of the administration within the practical nursing program. The reviewer claims that administrative staff were unprofessional and lacked integrity, believing accusations without seeking factual information.
Dismissal Without Investigation: The negative review alleges a student was dismissed from the program based on unverified accusations from a clinical instructor. This led to the student losing a year of work with no transferable credits.
Lack of Support: The reviewer claims that the school lacks genuine support and fairness, advising others to be cautious and trust no one while attending.
Momentum
Due to the small number of reviews and the significant time gap between them (nearly 18 years), it is difficult to determine a clear momentum. The only recent feedback is severely negative, in stark contrast to the positive review from 2006. There is no evidence of the school publicly responding to the recent criticism.