New Market Skills Center

The New Market Skills Center (NMSC), located in Tumwater, Washington, is a specialized public school that serves as a regional career and technical education (CTE) hub for students in grades 11 and 12. Operated by the Tumwater School District in partnership with several surrounding school districts, the center provides high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to earn elective credits while gaining professional, industry-specific training. By blending traditional academics with hands-on technical instruction, NMSC allows students to explore potential career paths, earn industry certifications, and gain college credit while still enrolled in high school.

The curriculum at New Market is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the modern workforce. Students typically spend half of their day at their "home" high school and the other half at the skills center, where they engage in rigorous, practical programs ranging from culinary arts and criminal justice to medical assisting, construction trades, and information technology. Because the center is equipped with professional-grade tools and facilities, it provides a unique environment where students can build a portfolio, develop essential "soft skills" like professional communication, and graduate with a significant competitive advantage for either immediate employment or post-secondary education.