The 2020-21 school year is officially under way at the East Valley Institute of Technology, which returned to in-person on-campus learning on Aug. 17 with an enrollment of over 5,000 and a 90 percent attendance rate, despite concerns over COVID-19.

Many programs are full, but EVIT is still processing applications and enrolling. Programs with the largest enrollments are Medical Assistant, Cosmetology, Veterinary Assistant, Nursing Assistant and Welding.

Before reopening on Monday, EVIT put in place extensive safety protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a mandatory mask policy, safe distancing and increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Read the safety plan at this link: Reopening EVIT and Returning to Hands-On Learning 2020-21

The first day of school went smoothly, with students and staff taking care to wear their masks and practice safe distancing. But Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson told his administrative team that EVIT must not let down its guard, but continue to be vigilant in monitoring the campuses and ensuring that safety protocols are being followed.

“Our challenge is to make sure every day has the same intensity as we had (on the first day of school),” Dr. Wilson said. “It will be easy to settle in, but this year, we can’t. Every day is the ‘first’ when navigating campus learning in the middle of a pandemic.”