Fairfax County high school students helped build a $1.35 million home in Springfield, Virginia—part of a hands-on carpentry program at Edison Academy.
Eighteen-year-old Raul Vazquez, who dreams of running his own construction crew, was one of 20 students who worked on the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house over the past year and a half. The students framed walls, built the basement, installed ceilings, and even laid brick—all while earning safety certifications and learning building codes and tools.
It’s the 13th home built through the academy’s carpentry program and the most expensive one yet. Students spend every other school day on-site, gaining real-world experience that sets them up for careers or college programs in construction management.
Instructor Bruce Morrow says the program not only teaches valuable trade skills but also helps students find direction. “They want to find their path,” he said. “And they need some help to do that.”
Next up? The students will begin building another home nearby—continuing to learn, build, and lay the foundation for their futures.
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Photo: Getty