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Career and Technical Education Month is a great time to highlight the CTE curriculum offered at MCPSS high schools. These innovative CTE programs introduce students to a wealth of opportunities right here in ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ County and beyond. Whether or not they plan to go to college, our graduates step out into the world with the skills to compete for well-paying jobs available in regional businesses and industries. Here are just a few highlights of CTE programs throughout the district:

CTE In our classrooms

MCPSS has 12 high schools and three career tech centers. The district-wide CTE curriculum includes 35 career programs embedded in 16 career clusters. Each high school has a Signature Academy, each with a variety of career options. Here is a brief breakdown:

Baker High's Advanced Placement Capstone Academy is a diploma program from the College Board requiring successful completion of AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses develop skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting.

Blount High’s Allied Health Academy prepares students for jobs in nursing, sports medicine, emergency medical response, and many other medical careers.

Alma Bryant’s Coastal Studies Academy includes Agriscience, Coastal Environmental Science, Fisheries Management and Aquaculture, Maritime and Industrial Technologies, and Restaurant, Food and Beverage Services.

Citronelle High's Manufacturing Academy has four courses of study: Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Engineering (Project Lead the Way), and Welding. These classes prepare students to obtain nationally recognized certifications, which lead to quality career opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

Davidson High offers three academic programs: Engineering Pathway Integrated Curriculum (EPIC), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Multiple Academic Pathways to Success (MAPS). Each career academy and pathway provides unique benefits, and students may also choose to be a part of multiple programs. EPIC is a college preparatory STEM academy. All EPIC freshmen take the EPIC Career Prep course to learn basic computer skills necessary for success in their core classes.

LeFlore Magnet High’s Signature Academies are Law, Health Services, and Fine Arts and Media Entertainment (FAME). These academies are designed to introduce students to careers and opportunities in performing and visual arts, legal services, leadership and public safety, health sciences, and marketing.

Mary G. Montgomery High is Biomedical Sciences. Topics include human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health and sports medicine.

Murphy High's Murphy University Center (MUC) offers two courses of study: International Baccalaureate and Early College. Students take Pre-MUC, Honors, and AP classes during their freshman and sophomore years before beginning an IB and/or Early College curriculum in the 11th and 12th grades.

B.C. Rain High's Signature Academy is Aviation and Aerospace Engineering. Courses emphasize aviation technology and maintenance.

Theodore High's Signature Academy is Engineering and Industry. Students may choose between pre-engineering and drafting on campus, or the industrial pathway, which includes 13 programs held on the Bryant Career Tech Center campus.

At Vigor High, the Academy of Advanced Information Technology has three pathways: Computer Programming and Software Development, Networking ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵs, and the Virtual Reality Pathway.

Williamson High’s Signature Academy is Maritime, Engineering and Entrepreneurship, programs designed to prepare students for jobs in welding, electrical work, small business and many other related careers.

Connecting Students with the Business Community

At ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ, CTE programs go far beyond classroom instruction. Students are exposed to career fields through several programs with our community partners, including:

Job Shadowing: During the month of February, the CTE Department works with the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ business community to arrange on-site visits to give our students a chance to see careers in action. More than 100 business and establishments took part this spring, and more than 400 students participated. Companies and organizations included government entities, law offices, medical offices, banks and nonprofits.

Career Fair: High school seniors work extensively with our Career Coaches to prepare for this annual event, a partnership with the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Chamber that will be held at USA Mitchell Center on April 9. Students are encouraged to research companies, practice interviews, polish their resumes and develop career plans before attending the Career Fair. The event includes representatives from colleges and universities throughout the region.

Workforce Development: In recent years, MCPSS has greatly expanded its connections with ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ business and industry leaders. CTE leaders meet once a month with the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Area Workforce Alliance, which was created by the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Chamber's Economic Development Team. The Alliance, which includes representatives from local colleges and universities, along with city, Chamber, and workforce development representatives, follows out a 10-step plan of action:

• Define and quantify workers and skills needed.
• Attract new workers locally and regionally from underrepresented groups and areas.
• Attract new workers to the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ area.
• Define skills students/workers need for each skill area & create the educational programs needed to teach the skills.
• Expand dual enrollment programs.
• Bring employers into schools and colleges to communicate opportunities.
• Create apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning across all priority industries.
• Recruit high school seniors not pursuing postsecondary into the workforce programs.
• Conduct local public relations campaigns to inform public about growing local industries and careers.
• Expand state funding for the school systems, colleges, and Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT).