What Is It Known For?
Mountain View Vocational Institute LLC was founded by Ricardo Zeschitz in 2016. You’ll find this privately held corporation stands out as the only vocational and technical school in the area that lets former students come back and finish their training at no cost.
The school’s programs give you the professional foundation you need to compete in today’s job market. While enrollment numbers aren’t public, you should know that classes need at least 10 students minimum, which suggests smaller class sizes where you get more personal attention.
Degrees & Certifications
Mountain View Vocational Institute offers certificate programs in several hands-on fields:
- Commercial truck driver course
- Truck driver with externship
- Heavy equipment operator I with and without externship
- Heavy equipment operator II with and without externship
- Mobile crane operations I with and without externship
- Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts
Class Schedules
You’ll attend all your classes in person since this hands-on work really needs you to be there practicing with the equipment. Some courses offer evening and weekend options, which is great if you’re juggling work or family responsibilities. Many of your programs will include externships too, so you get to practice what you’re learning in real work settings. The school doesn’t have online classes because, honestly, you can’t learn to operate heavy machinery through a computer screen.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Mountain View Vocational Institute is a legitimate institution that’s approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges in Austin, Texas.
Acceptance Rate
Mountain View Vocational Institute doesn’t share its acceptance rate publicly. You do need to meet requirements like being 18 years old and having a high school diploma or equivalent. Make sure you check all the requirements before you apply to improve your chances.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Your tuition at Mountain View Vocational Institute works differently than most schools. Instead of one flat fee, you pay based on how many hours you study and which course you pick. For example, if you go with the Truck Driver With Externship program, you can even take individual subjects and pay just $36.50 per course hour.
When you add everything up, most students end up paying somewhere between $7,000 and $18,637.96, though it could be more depending on your program. The school doesn’t have one of those online calculators to estimate costs, so you’ll want to call them directly to get the exact numbers for what you’re interested in. Just keep in mind that they don’t offer financial aid, so you’ll need to plan for paying out of pocket.
Programs & Courses
Professional Services
- Restaurant Mgmt. Culinary Arts
Skilled Trades
- Commercial Truck Driver Course
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Mobile Crane Operations
Campus Locations
El Paso 3201 Alabama St. El Paso, Texas 79930
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Mountain View Vocational Institute in El Paso, TX, is overwhelmingly focused on its CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) program and is generally viewed as a highly effective and supportive place to obtain a CDL license. The praise is centered on the instructors’ dedication and the school’s flexible approach. However, there are a few sharp criticisms regarding the quality of the equipment and minimal driving time.
Overall Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Instructors and Support: The most frequent and detailed praise is directed at the owner/director and multiple instructors. They are consistently described as patient, humble, kind, and excellent trainers who push students to succeed. Instructors are noted for being “Soo tough because driving big trucks is so easy” and for “helping nail down my backing skills.”
Accommodating and Flexible: The school is highly praised for its willingness to work with students’ schedules, which is a significant positive for those balancing work or family life. Reviewers state the staff does “everything to accommodate” and helped them “every which way they could.”
Effective, Hands-On Training: Many students felt prepared and ready when it was time to test, with instructors providing “real on hands everyday” support. Reviewers frequently describe the school as the “Best school ever” for obtaining a CDL, highlighting the ability to drive a lot and practice maneuvers until ready.
Commitment to Success: The school is noted for staying with students for the whole process and helping them secure a better future. The owner/director is praised for going “out of his way” to ensure everything is understood, even offering advice on starting a trucking company.
Common Criticisms
Minimal Driving Time and Training Quality: A few highly critical reviews accuse the school of teaching only the “very bear minimum” and not providing enough driving time. One reviewer specifically noted that the training “doesn’t include allowing you to hook and unhook,” which they called “ridiculous.”
Poor Equipment and Maintenance:One detailed criticism noted that the school’s trucks need mechanical work, tires are “worn-out,” and the steering wheel alignment is “wack.”
Instructor Training: One older review mentioned that the “Instructors need more training,” suggesting inconsistency in teaching quality.
Unprofessional Experience (Isolated): A few generic one- or two-word negative reviews described the school as “Very unprofessional” or “BAD SCHOOL,” though these lacked detail. The owner responded to one of these, asking for more information to address the complaint.
Momentum
The positive momentum is strong and sustained. Most of the recent reviews (from the last year) are overwhelmingly positive, praising the excellent and patient instructors. While the core criticisms about minimal driving time and equipment quality persist in a few negative reviews, they are heavily outweighed by the constant stream of positive feedback and specific instructor mentions, indicating that the school’s supportive staff remains its defining strength.