Midlands school is the only one in SC to get an Air Force cybersecurity pilot program

Columbia High School is one of 30 schools throughout the country selected for a military cybersecurity pilot program, officials said Wednesday.

The pilot program, administered through the U.S. Air Force’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and the non-profit CSforALL (short for computer science for all), will boost cybersecurity training for students in Columbia High School’s JROTC program, according to the project’s website.

If the program is successful, it could be rolled out to other JROTC programs throughout the country.

“We’re proud to be participating in this new initiative,” Columbia High Principal Craig Washington said in a press release. “As educators, we are committed to preparing all of our students for future careers and success. We know technology skills will be critical, no matter what paths our students choose.”

Columbia High School was chosen from 900 schools nationwide with an Air Force JROTC program, Richland 1 said in a press release.

This isn’t the first cutting-edge program Richland 1 has implemented at its high schools. Last year, Richland 1 opened a statewide first-of-its-kind Commercial Driver License program at Eau Claire High School.

Like the cybersecurity pilot at Columbia High School, Eau Claire’s CDL program is designed to prepare students for career fields that are either growing or are facing a shortage of workers.