Saint Cloud High Schools Launch EMT Training Facility

Senator Amy Klobuchar visited the new medical training center at Apollo High School this week.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a medical training gurney with diagnostic equipment, representing high school emergency medical training.
Apollo and Tech High School students in Saint Cloud now have access to a new EMT training facility, part of a local district initiative to boost vocational readiness. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Senator Amy Klobuchar toured a newly opened emergency medical technician training bay at Apollo High School. The facility serves students from both Apollo and Tech High School.

Why it matters

This program aims to lower barriers to entering the local workforce while encouraging graduates to remain in the state. It represents a significant investment in regional vocational development.

The project received $250 million in state funding alongside a $50 million local voter-approved referendum. The district plans to launch 10 total technical programs including construction and mechatronics.

The players

Amy Klobuchar

She is the senior United States Senator from Minnesota.

Apollo High School

This is a secondary education institution located in Saint Cloud that serves as the site for the new training bay.

Tech High School

This secondary school in Saint Cloud partners with Apollo High School to provide students access to the new training programs.

St. Cloud Technical and Community College

This institution provides the curriculum and professional partnership for the high school emergency medical training program.

The details

Students gain hands-on experience by training directly in an ambulance bay in collaboration with St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The facility is one part of a larger district initiative to introduce 10 career-focused programs.

Timeline

  1. State funding for the project was first approved in 2024.

  2. Local voters approved a $50 million referendum in 2025.

  3. The training facility held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in October 2026.

  4. Senator Amy Klobuchar toured the facility on October 26, 2026.

  5. The EMT program is expected to be fully operational by fall 2028.

Culture Shift

This facility aligns with broader efforts to modernize vocational training as a viable alternative to traditional four-year college paths. By integrating professional certification into secondary education, the district is shifting local sentiment regarding technical careers.

High school students will gain direct access to EMT training and career-ready skills within their own district. Parents should note that while high schoolers can use phones during passing periods, the district maintains strict usage prohibitions for younger students.

The takeaway

The addition of this facility provides students with professional medical training long before they reach college age. Families interested in vocational pathways should monitor district announcements as the school adds nine more technical programs in the coming years.

Further reading

For more information on school initiatives, visit the Secondary Education section.

Live Poll

Do you support expanding technical and vocational training programs in your local high schools?