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About ECCA

The History

Effingham College & Career Academy (ECCA) opened in fall 2010, as one of Georgia's first college and career academies. In 2008, the Effingham County Board of Education applied for and received a $3.2 million grant from the State of Georgia which was administered through the Technical College System of Georgia. The new facility encompassed 44,034 square feet of state-of-the-art Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE) classrooms, and labs. The costs of the building project were paid in full by the $3.2 million grant and ESPLOST funds upon its opening in fall 2010. The building was one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified buildings in Coastal Georgia. The facility grew with a 47,000 square feet Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) addition that opened in fall 2016.

Although programs have changed over the years, ECCA has stayed true to its goal of offering world-class education to the students who choose to attend this facility. Current programming includes:

  •         Computer Science
  •         Programming, Games, Applications, and Society
  •         Engineering and Technology
  •         Allied Health and Medicine
  •         Patient Care
  •         Sports Medicine
  •         Culinary Arts
  •         General Automotive Technology
  •         Distribution and Logistics
  •         Veterinary Science
  •         STEM

The opening of the STEM program added academic courses to ECCA.  Most academic courses offered at ECCA are Honors or Advanced Placement level courses. ECCA offers more than 26 HOPE Rigor courses and Dual Enrollment courses taught by Savannah Technical College and Georgia Southern University.

At ECCA, students have an opportunity to participate in Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) and other organizations including:

  •         SkillsUSA
  •         TSA
  •         FBLA
  •         FCCLA
  •         HOSA
  •         FFA
  •         And others

ECCA provides a unique learning environment for students where hands-on project-based learning is the norm, not the exception. If your child is interested in taking classes at ECCA, have them speak with their high school counselor or the staff at ECCA.

Notable Dates

  • 2008: The Effingham County Board of Education applied for and received a $3.2 million grant from the State of Georgia, administered through the Technical College System of Georgia. This funding was crucial for the establishment and development of ECCA, paying in full for the construction of the academy's facility, which spans 44,034 square feet and includes state-of-the-art Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE) classrooms and labs
  • Fall 2010: ECCA opened its doors as one of Georgia's first college and career academies. This was a significant milestone, not just for Effingham County, but also for Georgia, highlighting a new era in vocational and technical education aimed at bridging the gap between high school education and career readiness
  • 2015: ECCA earned SACS AdvancED global accreditation.
  • Fall 2016: A significant expansion occurred with the opening of a 47,000 square feet addition dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This addition marked a substantial growth in the academy's capacity and capabilities, offering an enhanced focus on STEM education and accommodating an increase in the student body
  • 2016: ECCA won their first Georgia College and Career Academy of the Year
  • September 2022:  ECCA won their second Georgia College and Career Academy of the Year. We were recognized for their comprehensive educational offerings and impactful community contributions​