Martin County School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer students the opportunity to learn academic and career-specific knowledge and skills for entry-level employment in the workplace and post-secondary education.  Programs focus on academic requirements and employ technology to teach students the requisite knowledge and skills for a specific CTE program.

The Florida Department of Education designed each CTE program to be completed once it has been started.  Therefore, a student should choose carefully a CTE program, rather than attempting to take various programs.  However, some CTE programs offer courses that may be taken as an introductory course early in a student’s four-year plan.  As a result, it does not require a student to commit to a specific program.

CTE programs at JBHS, MCHS and SFHS offer students a wide-range of careers from which to choose.  Whether a student is interested in business, drafting, pre-engineering, TV production, web designing, animal sciences, landscape operations, or culinary arts, students are offered a challenging and interesting way to learn, while gaining on-the-job (OJT) experience.

In addition to offering students knowledge and skills for entry-level employment and post-secondary education, CTE programs offer students the opportunity to earn a Gold Seal scholarship when they maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average, a 3.5 grade point average in at least three consecutive courses in a program and score the required passing score on the College Placement Test (CPT).  Additionally, students enrolled in specific programs are eligible for articulated courses through Indian River Community College Associate of Science (AS) programs and Keiser College.  To be awarded articulated credits, students must submit their certificate of program completion and successfully complete 15 college credits within the corresponding A.S. degree with at least a “C” average.

A Foundation for Success

Meeting the needs of an ever-changing workplace, our Career and Technical Education programs of study provide students with a foundation for success in their post-secondary and career futures.  This foundation for success is based on students acquiring the technical, academic, thinking and personal skills required in our global economy.

Components of a Quality Program

• Incorporate academic rigor with technical relevance
• Establish an effective career guidance system
• Establish effective business involvement boards for all programs
• Address the needs of local businesses
• Prepare all students to succeed in post-secondary education
• Prepare all students to enter high wage occupations
• Prepare all students to realize self-sufficiency by successfully attaining and sustaining employment
• Teach all students the importance of ethics in the workplace
• Expand opportunities for cooperative education, part-time employment, career mentoring, internships, and job shadowing
• Offer all students the opportunity to participate in a student organization that promotes technical and leadership skills
• Provide all career technical programs with an industry certified lab
• Develop a recognition program to acknowledge students, teachers, and business partners

Martin County VACE Secondary Career/Technical Programs 2005-2006

Articulation Agreements with Indian River Community College

The Quad-County Tech Prep Consortium develops agreements between partners in the four county area to enable students who enroll in sequenced Tech Prep courses the opportunity to receive college credit while still in high school.  The number of credits earned varies with each Tech Prep program and is held in escrow at IRCC until a student successfully completes 15 college credits or 25% of the required clock hours of the corresponding program at the college level.

Animal Science and Services

The program provides students the competencies in the following areas:  animal behavior; animal welfare; animal control; nutrition; exhibiting and marketing animals; operation, maintenance and repair of equipment; animal breeding; preventive medicine and disease control; control of parasites; maintaining and analyzing records; animal health practices; emergency first aid for animals and humans; identifying, selecting and breeding food-producing animals; management; growing and maintaining pasture and forage crops; and interpreting rules and regulations affecting the livestock industry.

The land laboratory activities are an integral part of this course, which includes the safe use and application of technological equipment and the care and handling of livestock.

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Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing

Students are provided with a comprehensive understanding of the technology, techniques and skills used in the automotive collision repair and refinishing industry. The facility is equipped with a paint booth, fully stocked tool room, 12,000 sq. ft work area, welding equipment, frame pulling equipment, and a classroom with audio, video and computerized learning formats. Students will also have the advantage of working hands on with an A.S.E. certified instructor with 25 years experience in the industry. Students will learn up to date skills in an industry simulated environment, including some customizing techniques. Upon completing this course students will be able to demonstrate a variety of basic skills needed to properly repair and paint an automobile.

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Automotive Service Technology

Students develop abilities that will help with finding employment in various automotive-related careers including repair, manufacturing, sales, insurance, racing and many others. Students are exposed to all aspects of the automotive industry through class projects such as rebuilding a race car. An emphasis is placed on the A.S.E. standards including safety, teamwork, time management, and automotive skill attainment.   The Automotive Service Technology program provides students the essential training in both the theory and service of today’s automotive systems and components: air conditioning, brakes, electricity, electronics, wheel alignment, and tool and safety.  ASE certified instructors who prepare students for National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification teach the program.

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Architectural Drafting

The Drafting and Design program is designed to prepare students for initial employment, continuation for a 2-year technical degree, or 4-year university level design programs. The department has extensive offerings in Introductory Technical Drafting, Basic Architectural Principles, Engineering Graphics, Computer Aided Drafting, Advanced Architectural Design, Mechanical Design, and 3-D Computer Modeling. The first year student will be introduced to Basic Architectural Principles, Engineering Graphics, and related mathematics, history, and science lectures. Upon entering the second year of drafting, the student is enrolled in Architectural and Technical Drafting Applications in Computer Aided Drafting (C.A.D.) and employability skills are refined.

Through a partnership with area contractors, educators, and government, students are trained for immediate employment and postsecondary education. 

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Carpentry

The Carpentry program prepares students for employment in the carpentry and cabinetmaking industry.  The program focuses on both the knowledge and application of the skills necessary to be successful in the construction field.  The program is a “hands-on” approach utilizing math and communication skills through student projects, such as renovating rooms on campus and constructing sheds.

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Child Development/Family Dynamics

These courses are intended to give an understanding of a child’s physical, mental, social, and emotional growth and development, including: children’s needs, principles of development, and the role of communication and guidance in the parenting experience. Family Living provides a student with an understanding of the nature, function, and significance of human relationships within the family including establishment and maintenance of relationships, preparation for marriage and family life, and individual needs and interests.

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Commercial Photography

Students learn basic camera mechanisms, different camera formats and film types, lighting techniques, and digital imaging. Students benefit from experiencing projects involving black and white and color processing and digital design. Students use two studios, a dark room, computer software and processing area to produce projects to industry standards. Students demonstrate their cognitive thinking and problem solving involving math, science and art through the creation of a personal photographic portfolio.

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School of Information Technology

This program offers students industry-standard training and Microsoft® Certified Professional (MCP) certification. Students, successfully completing this program, may continue studying at two or four year college Information Technology (IT) programs or move directly into the computer technology field. IT careers offer excellent earnings potential and there is great demand for IT trained individuals.

The Microsoft® Certification program starts with Microsoft® Office Specialist (MCAS) which introduces students to Microsoft® Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access. A+ is the next course. Students build and repair hardware and install/maintain software, including operating systems. They also keep the computer they build in class. Microsoft® Certified Professional (MCP) training is offered in year two. Students will implement a Microsoft® product or technology as part of solving a business problem. Year three offers Microsoft® Certified System Engineer (MCSE) training. Students design and implement an infrastructure based on a Microsoft® Windows operating system and Microsoft® Windows Server System software which includes networking and security. Seniors, who have achieved five technician certifications, will have an internship opportunity working with an experienced certified technician on how to install, upgrade, repair, and administer hardware, software and networks.

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Culinary Arts

Students benefit from a state of the art facility that allows them to learn using the most current equipment available.  Students learn the industry essentials of safety and sanitation, equipment handling, practical cooking and baking skills, menu development, teamwork, and professional ethics. Through school and community fine dining events held in the program’s Tigers Den Restaurant, students showcase their gourmet and professional talents. Students participate and excel in local, regional and state culinary completions. 

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Digital Design

The students in Digital Design use publishing software, including PageMaker 6.5, to create new and edit existing publications such as newsletters, flyers, multi-page documents, business reports, proposals, advertisements, business cards and letterhead stationery. Internet research, software graphics inclusion, digital photographs and scanned information are combined by students for publication of personal and school projects.

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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship introduces students to the concept of entrepreneurship and provides students with the requisite skills needed to evaluate their potential as a business owner, and develop the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to start and operate a business. Although not required, membership in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) association is strongly recommended.

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Environmental Science

Environmental Studies prepares students for employment in the advanced training in the environmental industry.  The program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the environmental industry. Courses include eco-system awareness and regulations; water quality; solid and liquid waste management; managing hazardous materials; managing forests, wetlands, fisheries, and wildlife; and land usage. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program and provide instructions in the use of tools, equipment, materials, and processes found in the industry. 

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Health Science
(Nursing/Pre Medical Preparation, Electrocardiograph Aide, First Responder, Home Health Aide, Nursing Assistant)

The Health Science program combines the Nursing/Pre-medical Preparation, Home Health Aide, EKG Aide and Nursing Assistant programs for students entering the medical field. Students are prepared for employment. Classroom theory and clinical practice prepare students to perform a wide range of medical tasks.  Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant program, the students are prepared to take the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam.  (The student is responsible for the cost of the exam, which is administered by an independent testing agency.)

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Finance

Finance prepares students for employment in the financial industry.  Students learn data entry, fundamental principles and procedures of accounting (e.g., depreciation, inventory, payroll, and reconciling bank statements), budgets, credit, financial markets, insurance, and international trade. 

First National Bank and Trust Company has partnered with South Fork High School to provide students a unique opportunity to operate a student run bank on campus.  Students enrolled in the Academy function as tellers, officers and administrators while account holders earn 5.12% interest.

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Food Preparation

The Food Preparation electives expose students to a wide variety of foods from various cultures.  Students learn to use basic principles and skills in preparing these types of foods and analyzing their nutritious values.  Students become knowledgeable of general nutrition, selection, tools and appliances, storage and presentation of foods.  Students also learn cooperation skills through teamwork during the labs. 

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Hospitality Management

Students are prepared with broad, transferable planning, management, finance, technology, production and communication skills for employment and postsecondary education. Business partners work closely with students to provide management level activities, including an internship.  This academy focuses on providing the professional skills necessary for employment in one of the many hospitality related career areas. Hands-on, real world projects are completed by students through the use of business partners, Internet research and computer software programs.

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Landscape Operations

The Landscape Operations program provides students a true learning environment, which includes 25-acre area, plant nursery, shade house, propagation house, and a PGA sanctioned 3-hole par-three golf course.  Students study the academics and knowledge necessary to develop hands-on skills vital to tasks performed in three horticultural areas: ornamental plant nursery operations, landscape operations, and turfgrass operations.  Students learn plant identification, plant propagation, plant care, soil science, landscape design/installation, agronomics, and cultural practices. Tremendous business support and financial contributions come from the Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendent’s Association, United States Golf Association and other industry professionals and suppliers.

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Pre-Engineering Technology

The purpose of this program is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of engineering and its effect upon our lives.  The program focuses on transferable skills and stresses an understanding and demonstration of the tools, machines, instruments, and materials used in the industry, as well as entrepreneurship, leadership, and safety. The program follows Project Lead The Way, which is a nationally recognized organization.  The program is a four year sequence of courses which—when combined with traditional mathematics and science courses—introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering prior to entering college. However, those not intending to pursue post-secondary education will benefit from the knowledge and logical thought processes that result from taking some or all of the courses provided in the curriculum

The pre-engineering program does not have a mathematics or science prerequisite, but students with these aptitudes are likely to have an advantage. 

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Television Production

The Television Production program prepares students for employment in the film and video industry.  Students will learn to plan, shoot, and edit a variety of program formats.  The curriculum covers both the technical and creative aspects of production employing a variety of community-based projects, location shoots and studio productions.  Students must successfully complete basic video production before they will be allowed in the advanced sections of the class. Students are provided with a basic understanding of the technology behind video as an information medium. Students are taught the techniques of video production through hands-on projects using industry standard equipment.

Students are responsible for producing the daily news program, On the Prowl. Additional projects, including a video annual, numerous team sports highlight videos, and feature and promotional videos are planned and created by students. 

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Web Design

The Web Design program focuses on broad, transferable skills and emphasizes understanding of the Web/Internet service industry.  It provides a foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for employment in web design services.  Content includes Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Internet, World Wide Web (WWW), operating systems, and graphic design. Recognizing the workplace requires a broad range of know and skills, the program is taught via a multi-discipline approach, which includes management, strategic planning, marketing-commerce, written and oral communications, problem solving, and team building. 

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Middle School Programs