CMCSS to Offer Free CDL-A Training for Seniors

September 23, 2025
semi truck with orange saftey cones

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is excited to announce the launch of its partnership with Armored Trucking Academy of Clarksville, which will offer high school seniors a direct pathway into one of the nation’s most in-demand career fields. Beginning this school year, eligible 12th-grade students can apply for the CDL-A Training Program, a one-semester course that equips students with real-world skills and gives them the opportunity to graduate with their CDL-A licensure at absolutely no cost.

Graduates of the program will leave high school with more than a diploma. Students will hold a professional license that opens the door to immediate, well-paying careers in transportation, logistics, and beyond.  From truck driving to diesel mechanics, ready-mix operators, and supply chain management, the possibilities are endless.

With Tennessee’s strong reliance on trucking to power its economy, and Clarksville-Montgomery County’s rapidly growing industrial footprint, the demand for licensed drivers and logistics professionals has never been greater.  Earning a CDL in high school would provide students with transferable job skills across a variety of industries, giving them immediate earning potential through part-time or summer employment while also laying a strong foundation for a lifelong career offering financial independence and flexibility.

Strong partnerships with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Economic Development Council (EDC), Industrial Development Board (IDB), and Armored Trucking Academy have been instrumental in launching this innovative program. Supported by the TVA-funded Workforce Invest Program grant, an additional 25 students will have the opportunity to participate in the CDL-A program. Additionally, through the IDB’s strategic negotiation efforts, the Armored Trucking Academy secured a prime location and ensured it had the capacity to train up to 100 more students in the future.

How to Participate

To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • CMCSS High School Senior
  • Turn 18 on or before January 6, 2026
  • On-Track to Graduate
  • Maintain a 90% or Better Attendance
  • No Major Disciplinary Infractions
  • Have Reliable Daily Transportation
  • Hold a Valid TN Driver’s License
  • Pass DOT Physical and Drug Screening

Required Documentation:

  • Social Security Card (original)
  • Official Birth Certificate (with State Seal)
  • Two Proofs of Residency (matching parent name on birth certificate

Beginning October 20, 2025, the CMCSS Career and Technical Education (CTE) team, in conjunction with instructors from the Armored Trucking Academy, will visit all eight traditional CMCSS high schools to meet with students individually. See the specific times below.

Family Interest Meetings

Families are invited to learn more at an information session on November 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The session will take place at Armored Trucking Academy, 1490 Dunlop Lane, giving families a first-hand look at the learning environment and a chance to ask questions.

If you are ready to submit an application, use this link to fill out the Google form.

To be considered, applicants are encouraged to submit the required paperwork by November 7. To learn more about the program, email Amy Shoopman at [email protected].

Student Interest Meetings

Students can meet with a representative from Armored Trucking and the work-based learning (WBL) coordinator in the library on the following dates and times.

Clarksville High School: Wed., October 29, 10:50  a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Kenwood High School: Tues., October 28, 11:05 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Kirkwood High School: Fri., October 24, 10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Montgomery Central High School: Wed., October 22, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Northeast High School: Mon., October 27, 10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Northwest High School: Tues., October 21, 10:40 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Rossview High School: Thurs., October 23, 10:50 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

West Creek High School: Thurs., October 30, 10:50 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.