Skip To Main Content

Career & Technical Education

Preparing Students for Future Careers and Opportunities

Career and Technical Education (CTE) refers to a range of courses and programs tailored to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for thriving careers in current and emerging industries. CTE offers students a vital pathway to success, enabling them to personalize their educational journey according to their unique career interests and learning needs. This approach not only prepares students for the workforce but also fosters lifelong learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.

Career Pathway

Curvy road that says K-5: Awareness, 6-8: Exploration, 9-10: Planning, 11-12: Preparation

K-5: Awareness

3 girls holding their STEM wars project

6-8: Exploration

In Middle School, students experience a variety of career focused activities to aid them in learning about who they are and what they are interested in. The Middle School experience aids students in choosing the most appropriate High School program of study.

Career-focused experiences:

Darby HSA teacher with students showing them the human body model

9-10: Planning

11-12: Preparation

Career Focuses

6 CAREER FOCUSES AND POTENTIAL CAREERS LIST

Advanced Manufacturing

Programs:

Automotive Technology
Computer Integrated Machining
Electronics Technology/Robotics & Automation

Welding

Industry Certifications: 

ASE Certifications
AWS Certifications
NCCER Credentials
NIMS
OSHA 10
Construction student smiling at something off screen while holding a tool in the woods shop
student doing art on screen

Arts & Communication

Courses:

Digital Cinema Productions I-III
Digital Cinema Productions Lab
Digital Commercial Photography I-III
Digital Commercial Photography Lab

Media Communications

Programs:

Emerging Arts & Design

Industry Certifications:

Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premier
Microsoft Credentials

The best part of the Arts & Communications program is making my ideas come true and the opportunity to touch people’s hearts from the other side of a screen.

Marco Gonzalez
Northside High School, Class of 2024

Business Management

Courses

Advanced Databased Applications
Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
Computerized Accounting I/II
Digital Marketing
Management
Marketing Business Enterprise
Markets & Analytics
Personal Finance
Small Business Operations
Survey of Business
 

Industry Certifications

Google Analytics
Entrepreneurship: ESP Endorsement
Microsoft Office Specialist
Adobe Certifications
Customer Service Certification
southside student paying for his order at the Southern Grounds coffee shop
Grizzly Gear store student pressing shirt
If it wasn't for my teachers and Business Management classes, I wouldn't have the achievements and knowledge that I have now. 
Jordan Culbreath
Southside High School, Class of 2023
students and ambulance

Health Sciences

Courses:

Foundations of Health Care
Medical Lab
Medical Terminology
Patient Care Tech (PCT)
Principles of Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine Injury Assessment

Programs:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Practical Nursing
Sports Medicine
 

Industry Certifications: 

First Aid
CPR
AED
HIPAA
OSHA Hazardous Materials
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
Infections Control Training
Stop the Bleed
CNA
LPN
EMT
PCT
This program gave me great first-hand experience before pursuing my future career as a trauma nurse. 
Cameron Hubbard
Southside High School, Class of 2023

Human Services

Courses

Advanced Fashion and Interior Design
Army JROTC I-IV
Child Growth and Development
Dynamics of Human Relationships
Education Technology
Family and Consumer Sciences
Fashion and Interior Design
Food Safety and Nutrition
Introduction to Education

Life and Fitness Nutrition

Industry Certifications

CERT
Financial Literacy
First Aid
Food Handler
Parapro
ServSafe
Teacher helping interior design students
Cooking class students prepping pie crust
ITstudentsplicingwires

Information Technology

Courses

AP Computer Science Level I/II
AP Computer Science Principles Level I/II
Computer Science Independent Study
Computer Science Programming Year 1-3
Mobile Application Development Year 1/2
Principles of Information Technology
Unmanned Aerial Systems I-III

Unmanned Aerial Systems Flex

Programs

Computer Graphics Technology
Network Engineering Technology
 

Industry Certifications

Adobe Cloud
CompTIA
FAA-Part 107
Microsoft Technology Certifications
Seeing the little code snippets come together to form something extraordinary that YOU made is just amazing.
Matthew Senetho
Southside High School, Class of 2023

Keystone

Students receive instruction in self-realization, interpersonal skills, study skills, self-management skills, goal setting, and planning strategies. This transition course creates a sense of belonging among students by having them become productive citizens of their school and community. Keystone will help students to develop personal success through 21st century skills, such as, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. FSPS students will receive this high school or graduation credit in 8th grade Career Connections class.

Health Sciences Academy

The Health Sciences Academy at Darby Middle School is designed to provide innovative academic learning through a health care lens for students grades 6-8. Project-based and hands-on learning will accelerate academics in the areas of math and science as well as expose students to occupations within the healthcare industry.

Students receive opportunities for:
• Clinical site work
• Job shadowing
• Mentoring in the local healthcare industry
• Certification in CPR and Stop the Bleed