Peoria Unified MET Professional Academy

As we get ready to close out the 25-26 school year, we are reflecting on what draws students to the MET Professional Academy...opportunity, connection, and the chance to turn interests into real-world experiences.

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Why to Peoria Unified students choose the MET?

2nd‑year MET students have been hard at work on the third iteration of a VR training project with Liberty Wildlife. Mentored by Ajay Tanakella from Microsoft, students are creating an immersive experience that allows volunteers to learn how to safely handle and feed baby birds before ever interacting with live animals. Recently, the team visited Liberty Wildlife to showcase their project and see firsthand the incredible animals being rehabilitated, bringing learning, technology, and real‑world impact together.

Mentoring Madness made its debut this year for our 1st year MET Technology students! Students rotated through five IT professionals, including MET alumni and experienced industry leaders, to learn about a variety of IT careers. This quick-paced format allowed students to ask questions, hear diverse perspectives, and gain valuable insight into the field. Thank you to our business partners for investing in our students and helping make this experience a success!

Explore why the MET stands out for students planning their future.

MET students partnered with the City of Peoria through a collaboration with Albertsen and Coca-Cola to celebrate Earth Day by helping clean up Rio Vista Park and the surrounding river area. Thank you to all of the students who participated and made a positive impact in our community.

Join us for MET Professional Academy's Spring Showcase on Thursday, April 30 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Old Main at Peoria High School! This event is open to 7th through 11th grade students as well as families in Peoria Unified. Discover what projects students are doing at the MET!

Learn more about the MET Professional Academy at www.peoriaunified.org/MET.

Before the start of Spring Break, Medical 2 students learned to perform intubation to help patients who cannot breathe properly. This helps support breathing during surgery or trauma, protect lungs from aspiration, clear secretions, and treat severe respiratory failure.

MET Medical 1 students visited Huntington OT School to explore therapy pathways and experience post-secondary learning firsthand. Experiences like this are a vital part of the MET Professional Academy. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!