In November of 1972, Superintendents from Lake County Schools met to discuss the need for a new vocational center. A referendum was held and passed in December of 1973, and groundbreaking began July 10, 1975. On September 1, 1977, thirty-three buses from nineteen participating high schools transported 1,230 students to the Lake County Area Vocational Center for the first day of classes.

American education recognizes two basic needs common to all people.  First, it recognizes the need for basic general education required to participate fully as a socially responsible citizen.  Secondly, it recognizes the need for each person to possess those specialized skills and knowledge required for economic productivity.  It is the intent of the Technology Campus to be the vehicle by which an individual will be able to realize his/her full potential.

Career and technical education serves two broad purposes.  The first is to develop human resources so that every individual has the opportunity to develop and utilize his/her optimum capacities.  The second purpose is to be responsible to the talents and skills required by business and industry.

A totally functional system of career/technical education will depend on the utilization of the resources available in the Technology Campus facility, as well as a full utilization of all community resources.

The Technology Campus will allow participating districts to more feasibly provide a broad career and technical program for their students by cooperatively sharing the available resources and costs.  Cooperation among the participating districts provides the enrollment and funding basis.

The Lake County High School Technology Campus provides a comprehensive instructional program organized into learning pathways. 

The Student Leadership Pathway (SLP) is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop leadership and interpersonal skills needed for success in today's workplace. 

The Student Apprenticeship System Pathway (SAS) combines classroom and laboratory instruction at the Tech Campus with formal, paid work through a local employer.

The Associate Degree Qualifier Pathway (ADQP) is designed to aid students in their transition to a post-secondary institution.  The articulation agreements allow students to earn college credit toward an associate degree while in high school.

The Industrial Certified Pathway (ICP) provides program completers with the credentials recognized in business and industry for their technical skills and specialties. 

The Corporate Intern Pathway (CIP) allows students to participate in short term work experiences with local employers as part of their training.  These activities range from one day or six-week extended campus assignments with an employer to employment as a summer intern.

Occupational Competence is measured through benchmarks set by industry standards and expectations.  Outputs ensure that the education and training enables students to meet industry standards and credentials.

Academic Achievement is measured through comprehensive career planning and curriculum mapping that assess student needs when entering the system.

Employability is measured through a sequential plan of educational experiences designed to enable the learner to acquire attitudes, skills and knowledge for work by participating in actual work experiences.

Educational Attainment is measured through student career portfolios that include specific achievements, scholarships, awards, projects, skill certificates, articulated credit with post secondary institutions, industry certification and accomplishments.

Access and Equity is measured through available resources and promotion of training opportunities that exist for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and students interested in pursuing nontraditional careers.

For each occupational program there exists a committee composed of individuals from the business communities who are employed in that particular occupational field.  Presently there are 21 operational committees with a total membership of approximately 200 persons.  These committees collectively advise and make recommendations to the instructors on current and future occupational requirements and provide internship opportunities for students.

Students enroll at the campus on an elective basis in their junior and senior years from each local high school.  The Technology Campus has served nearly 42,000 students since opening its doors.  The present enrollment of 1,628 students is drawn from a countywide 11th–12th grade enrollment base for the participating districts of approximately 19,000 students.