February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) month. In Sylacauga, the CTE instructors have many activities and opportunities planned for students to become College & Career Ready.
The CTE Programs in Sylacauga City Schools exist to prepare students for future employment, college enrollment, and/or military enlistment. We accomplish our goals through offering the following programs. Each program has a minimum sequence of three course offerings. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the foundation, concentrator, and capstone courses. Career exploration is available through CTE and Career Prep-A courses at Nichols-Lawson Middle School. Additional programs are available through dual enrollment and/or work-based learning programs.
Career Awareness programs are available at the elementary schools in the district. The counselors setup career awareness events for students. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs are available for students through robotics in the media center and We Will Build It Better.
Arts, Audio Visual - Commercial Photography & Video Production Sylacauga High School
Creative students learn a combination of technical commercial photography instruction and artistic expression. Students in the program learn the technical aspects of photography, such as aperture, shutter speed, and lighting, as well as the creative side of things, such as composition, storytelling, and visual communication. Students have the opportunity to work with professional equipment and software, and to experiment with different styles and techniques. Ultimately, the goal of a commercial photography program is to prepare students for a career in the field, whether that means working as a freelance photographer, a staff photographer for a publication or organization, or in some other related role. Students have the opportunity to earn an industry credential in Adobe Certified Associate in Photoshop. Students compete in SkillsUSA district, state, and national competitions.
The video production program is designed to introduce students to video editing and production. Students learn about script writing, camera operation, lighting, audio recording, and video editing. They use Adobe Premiere Pro software and equipment to create and edit videos. The program covers both theory and practical aspects of film making, giving students hands-on experience in producing videos. By the end of the program, students should have a good understanding of the entire production process and the skills needed to create professional-quality videos. Students have the opportunity to earn an industry credential in Adobe Certified Associate in Premiere Pro. Students compete in SkillsUSA district, state, and national competitions.
Business Information Technology (BIT) Sylacauga High School
The Business Information Technology high school program teaches students about Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. By the end of the program, students should have a good understanding of how technology can be used in the business world, and the skills needed to create and manage digital content. They also have the opportunity to earn industry certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist. Students compete in FBLA state, and national competitions.
Computer Science Sylacauga High School, Nichols Lawson Middle School and Pinecrest Elementary School
The computer science program covers programming languages, algorithms, software development, robotics, networking, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. Middle schools complete hands-on projects through the We Build It Better curriculum. Students at Pinecrest Elementary School use the We Will Build It Better curriculum. The program provides students with a foundation in computer science and prepares them for further studies or a career in technology. Students have an opportunity to credential in the Skills for Success - Fiber Optics. Students compete in robotics and TSA district, state, and national competitions.
Finance & Insurance Sylacauga High School
The finance and insurance program provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills required for a career in finance and insurance. Students gain an understanding of the insurance industry, including types of insurance, risk management, and claims processing. Students may have the opportunity to participate in internships or work-based learning programs to gain hands-on experience in the field. By the end of the program, students should be equipped with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level positions in the finance and insurance industries, and have the opportunity to earn the CISR credential. Students compete in FBLA district, state, and national competitions.
Health Science Sylacauga High School and Nichols Lawson Middle School
The health science program teaches students about the healthcare industry, including medical terminology, anatomy, and patient care. The program gives students hands-on experience through clinical rotation internships and prepares them for entry-level healthcare positions or further education. Students have the opportunity to earn certifications such as Patient Care Technician (PCT). Students compete in HOSA district, state, and national competitions.
Hospitality & Tourism Sylacauga High School
The Hospitality & Tourism program is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills required for a career in the industry. The program covers topics such as customer service, food and beverage service, entrepreneurship, and event planning. They will also gain practical experience through internships and work-based learning programs. Upon completion of the program, students will have the knowledge and skills required to pursue entry-level positions in the hospitality and tourism industries, such as hotel receptionist, event planner, or restaurant services. They may also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, such as Certified Guest Service Professional, and ServSafe Manager, and the Skills for Success Food & Beverage through the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).
Modern Manufacturing Sylacauga High School, Nichols Lawson Middle School, and Pinecrest Elementary School
The Modern Manufacturing program provides students with a solid foundation in advanced manufacturing and prepares them for further studies or a career in the field. The program covers topics such as safety, production, maintenance, and quality control. Students will learn about the latest manufacturing technologies, and will be prepared for entry-level positions in advanced manufacturing. Students may also earn industry-recognized certifications, such as the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT) (certification in MSSC Safety, MSSC Quality Practices & Measurement, MSSC Manufacturing Production & Processes, and MSSC Maintenance Awareness) and Alabama Career Essentials (ACE). Students compete in SkillsUSA district, state, and national competitions.
Middle schools complete hands-on projects through the We Build It Better curriculum. Students at Pinecrest Elementary School use the We Will Build It Better curriculum. The program provides students with a foundation in manufacturing and prepares them for further studies or a career in technology.
STEM Engineering- Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Sylacauga High School and Nichols Lawson Middle School
The STEM Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering program is a comprehensive high school program that prepares students for engineering careers. It follows a hands-on, project-based approach to learning, where students learn by doing. The program covers several engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. Students will learn about the design process, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. They will engage in various projects and activities, such as designing and building bridges, creating robots, and developing computer software. The program also emphasizes the use of industry-standard tools and technologies to prepare students for real-world engineering careers. By the end of the program, students will have developed a deep understanding of engineering principles, as well as the skills to apply them to solve problems. They will also be well-prepared for further studies in engineering or related fields. Students have the opportunity to earn a certification in Autodesk Fusion 360 and Autodesk AutoCAD. Students compete in robotics competition and SkillsUSA district, state, and national competitions.
The middle school Project Lead The Way Gateway Design & Modeling program provides students with a foundation in design and modeling principles. The program follows a hands-on, project-based approach to learning. Students will learn about the design process, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. They will engage in various projects and activities, such as designing and modeling products using computer-aided design (CAD) software, creating prototypes, and testing their designs. The program also emphasizes the use of industry-standard tools and technologies to prepare students for real-world design careers. By the end of the program, students will have developed a deep understanding of design and modeling principles, as well as the skills to apply them to solve problems. They will also be well-prepared for further studies in design or related fields. Students compete in robotics competition and SkillsUSA district, state, and national competitions.
