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Auto Pros Academy Programs:

A Seamless Pathway to Automotive Excellence 

Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program

What is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an educational approach that integrates these four disciplines to provide students with hands-on, problem-solving, and real-world learning experiences. STEM education aims to build critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and technical skills that prepare students for success in school, careers, and life.

In the Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program, students explore these subjects through exciting automotive technology projects. This approach helps them see how STEM applies to everyday life and future careers—especially in engineering, design, and technology fields. The program encourages teamwork and critical thinking while sparking curiosity and confidence in students’ ability to solve problems and innovate.

Auto Pros Academy is proud to launch a truly innovative program—one that has never before been offered to middle school students in the Antelope Valley. This free, after-school initiative brings the excitement of automotive technology directly to local schools and community spaces, making hands-on learning accessible and practical.

Expanding Access Across the Antelope Valley
Launched August 15th, 2025 at Hillview Middle School, in partnership with Westside Union School District, Hillview was the first to pilot our Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program. With district support and a dedicated classroom at Hillview, students participate in 15 dynamic automotive repair STEM projects throughout the year—each designed to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and build essential problem-solving skills.

We are excited to expand the program to Joe Walker Middle School for the 2026–2027 school year. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, following the Westside Union School District calendar. This additional school site allows us to serve more students within the district and continue growing access to hands-on STEM education.

We are also proud to continue offering the program at the Lancaster Community Center, which launched on September 8th, 2025. Classes are held every Monday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, following the Westside Union School District calendar. This location remains open to students from any school district, ensuring middle schoolers across the Antelope Valley can participate.

From engineering basics to real-world challenges, every project opens doors to the possibilities of the automotive industry while giving students direct, hands-on experiences that prepare them for future success.

How Our Classes Work

To bring out the best in every student, all projects are completed in teams of five—a proven approach for middle schoolers that encourages teamwork, effective communication, and leadership development.

Instead of traditional individual grading, our point system rewards teams for creativity, collaboration, concept, and design on every project. Throughout the year, teams earn points for their achievements, with the top teams recognized at the end of the program. This structure makes learning exciting while also reflecting the real-world teamwork and problem-solving of the automotive industry.

Program At-A-Glance

Enrollment & Eligibility
Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students


  • Hillview Middle School site: limited to 20 Hillview students


  • Joe Walker Middle School site: limited to 20 Joe Walker students


  • Lancaster Community Center site: limited to 20 students, open to any school district
    Apply online — first-come, first-served

Program Schedule & Commitment


  • Hillview Middle School: Fridays, 2:15 PM – 4:15 PM


  • Joe Walker Middle School: Wednesdays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (following Westside Union School District 2026–2027 calendar)


  • Lancaster Community Center: Mondays, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (following Westside Union School District calendar)


Students attend once per week for 2 hours
Each project runs for 2 weeks; final design projects last 3 weeks

Student & Family Support

Parent Communication: Parents receive regular highlights and winner emails after each project, along with three quarterly surveys for feedback

Looking Ahead

Auto Pros Academy is building a pipeline of opportunity for young learners across the Antelope Valley. By partnering with schools and community spaces, we are creating a movement that educates students to explore STEM, develop workplace skills, and discover careers as engineers, designers, technicians, and innovators.

This program offers a valuable head start—giving middle schoolers the skills, confidence, and inspiration to pursue top-paying careers and change their lives.


 Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Application starting this school year 2026-2027

Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program (Freshman/Sophomore)

Take your passion for automotive technology to the next level with the Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program, a two-year pathway designed for students entering 9th and 10th grade.

This program was originally created as the next step for graduates of our Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program, giving them a seamless transition into advanced automotive learning as they enter high school. Priority seating is reserved for these students. However, the program is also open to incoming 9th and 10th graders who have not yet participated in Future Auto Techs, but who are eager to explore automotive engineering and technology.

Launching in the 2026–2027 school year, this immersive curriculum sits at the ideal intersection—not strictly STEM and not fully college-based, but intentionally designed to bridge the gap. Students will gain both the technical confidence and foundational skills they need to excel in the automotive repair industry.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on lab experience in a fully equipped auto shop, students will build real-world skills and technical expertise that prepare them for success.

Graduates of this program will be well-positioned to advance into the college-level Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program. By gaining practical experience early, students grow in confidence, accelerate their learning, and prepare for a rewarding, high-demand career in automotive repair and technology.


 Apply now to reserve your seat for the 2026-2027 school year

Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program

Step into the fast lane of your automotive career with our comprehensive program for high school juniors and seniors! Launching in the 2026-2027 school year, this college-based curriculum takes students from the fundamentals to the forefront of automotive repair, covering everything from engine mechanics and electrical systems to cutting-edge diagnostics and preventative maintenance.

Students receive expert classroom instruction combined with hands-on lab experience in a fully functioning auto repair shop. This immersive approach ensures they develop the technical expertise and real-world skills necessary to excel in today’s complex automotive industry.

Our program is grounded in industry standards and specifically designed to prepare students for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications—the gold standard for automotive technicians nationwide.

Whether you dream of becoming a master technician, an engineer, or a leader in the automotive field, this program gives you the skills, credentials, and head start you need to accelerate toward a high-demand, high-reward career.


 Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Application school year 2026-2027
About Us

Auto Pros Paid Apprenticeship Program

As the pinnacle of our automotive education pathway, the Auto Pros Academy Apprenticeship Program offers graduates of our Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program an unparalleled, part-time paid opportunity to jumpstart their careers. Launching for our first graduates in 2028, this transformative, two-year program pairs students one-on-one with seasoned automotive technicians from our leading industry partner.

Our students don’t just sit in a classroom—they’re in the shop, hands-on, from day one. Instead of being handed a broom, they dive straight into real automotive work, learning side-by-side with experienced technicians. This immediate, immersive experience ensures they develop the technical expertise and real-world skills needed to excel in today’s complex automotive industry.

Our part-time approach is thoughtfully designed to balance hands-on work with dedicated study time, allowing apprentices to thoroughly prepare for nationally recognized Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications—an essential requirement to take these exams. Apprentices receive comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and personalized mentorship to ensure their success.

Beyond technical skills, apprentices develop crucial professional attributes such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork through regular one-on-one coaching, shop floor shadowing, and participation in real projects. This holistic training prepares them for the demands of a fast-paced, ever-evolving field.

Our program encourages apprentices to achieve ASE certifications during or shortly after their apprenticeship, with a focus on key areas including:

  • G1: Maintenance & Light Repair

  • A4: Suspension & Steering

  • A5: Brakes

By building strong, lasting relationships between apprentices and industry professionals, Auto Pros Academy cultivates the next generation of skilled, innovative, and ethical automotive technicians. This paid, part-time, two-year program not only launches graduates into the workforce but also provides a solid foundation for further educational advancement and lifelong career success.


 Our Partner - Auto Pros Lancaster Auto Repair

Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program

As the last step in our journey to a seamless pathway to success, the Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program launches rewarding careers in the automotive industry. Beginning in 2030, graduates of our rigorous two-year program will become ASE-certified technicians with valuable hands-on experience gained alongside a Master Certified professional.

Through our exclusive partnership with the Automotive Training Institute (ATI), we connect graduates to high-paying local and national opportunities—whether at leading dealerships, innovative repair shops, or specialty automotive businesses. While nationwide opportunities are available, we also prioritize local job placement to help you contribute to and grow within the Lancaster community and surrounding areas. This dual approach ensures you find meaningful employment that aligns with your career goals and lifestyle. 

Trained to dream big, many graduates are poised to advance further and become Master Certified technicians themselves, unlocking even greater career opportunities and earning potential. Some may even aspire to own their own shops. By aligning with ATI as new shop owners, graduates gain access to specialized training and coaching tailored to automotive business ownership, setting them on a direct path to long-term success.

Most importantly, we have changed countless lives—our graduates complete their training without the burden of debt.

We don’t just train technicians; we launch careers with real earning potential and mobility, completing your journey from student to skilled automotive professional.


 Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program Effective 2030
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