CTE programs are standards-aligned courses that focus on education and apply rigorous and relevant academics, employability, and technical skills. If your student wants to pursue a career in automotive technology, engineering, medical fields, technology, business, etc., there is a pathway for them!
Through these programs, students learn skills for entry into well-paid careers and/or post-secondary college and university programs. CTE also increases students’ levels of responsibility, enables them to obtain a higher degree of personal satisfaction, and gives purpose to their high school and post-high school professional lives.
Many CTE programs also provide Work-Based Learning (WBL) which includes guest speakers, industry tours, job shadows, internships, and industry-based certifications. Students also have the opportunity to earn college credit. WBL also provides opportunities for leadership development and competitions in student organizations aligned to the CTE pathway’s industry sector.
How to Get Involved in a CTE Pathway
In general, CTE programs are specific to the high school a student attends. However, several district-wide CTE programs are available to all ASD20 school students regardless of the high school they attend. Upon course registration, students should discuss their options for CTE pathways with their school counselor, utilize our College & Career Program Guide (available on the side-bar of this page) and align their courses with their ICAP goals.
View our summary of CTE Pathways at all Academy District 20 schools.
District-Wide vs. School-Specific Programs
When students attend a CTE program that is not housed at their current school, they are provided release time to commute to that high school. These students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the program.
District-wide CTE Programs
Automotive Service Technology, Liberty High School
Building Construction Technology, Liberty High School
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Liberty High School (PPSC program)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Liberty High School (PPSC program)
Hairstyling, Esthetician, or Nails Certification, International Salon and Spa Academy (ISSA)
Teacher Cadet, Discovery Canyon High School
CTE Programs through Career Start at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC)
High school juniors and seniors can enroll in Career Start, a half-day program in a technical or trade area of study through PPSC. Students earn high school core elective credit and college credit for an associate degree program or industry certification. Students attend courses at PPSC Centennial Campus.
PPSC Career Start Programs
Automobile Collision Technology
Early Childhood Education
Automobile Service Technology
Fire Science Technology
Broadcasting & Electronic Media
Health Careers Exploration
Building & Construction Technology
Health Science Technology/CNA
Criminal Justice
Multimedia Graphic Design
Culinary Arts
Veterinary Assistant
Cyber Security
Welding
Diesel Power Technology
Zoo Keeping
Middle School CTE Pathways
ASD20 offers 20 CTE programs in five of our middle schools. Middle school CTE programs are exploratory. They focus on career exploration through exposure to various industries. CTE introduces students to their interests, resulting in relevant learning with an increase in their engagement. This method informs their ICAP planning for high school and post-secondary education.
Middle School programs are open to students who are attending these schools:
Challenger
Digital Media
Chinook Trail
Digital Media
Industrial Technology
STEM - Computer Technology
Discovery Canyon Campus
Industrial Technology
STEM - Engineering
Eagleview
Digital Media
Industrial Technology
STEM - Computer Technology
Theater Production
Mountain Ridge
Digital Media
Industrial Technology
STEM - Robotics & Coding
Theater Production
Timberview
Digital Media
Industrial Technology
Theater Production
Career Academies
Starting in 2024-25. Subject to change.
Career Academies are an approach to education based learning on the idea that students work harder and dream bigger if their education feels relevant. They integrate academics with college-ready standards and sequenced, high-quality career-technical education. Work-based learning and support systems help students stay on track.
When students participate in a Career Academy, their four years in high school are organized around an industry-sector theme. The industry theme is woven into lessons by teachers who collaborate with working professionals, and reinforced by work-based learning with real employers. This approach helps students answer the question, “Why do I need to know this?”
Career Academies allow high school students to sample career opportunities by turning their education into a personally relevant, engaging experience. Research shows that these students have higher rates of engagement and graduation than their peers. Career Academies create a disciplined, prepared, and productive future workforce, ready to succeed in college, career, and life.
For more information on a specific program, visit the website for that particular high school.
Air Academy High School
Business Entrepreneurship, Fall 2024
Media Arts, Fall 2024
Discovery Canyon Campus High School
Engineering, Fall 2025
Biomedical Sciences, Fall 2025
Liberty High School
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (ACE), Fall 2025
Pine Creek High School
Cybersecurity and Computer Programming, Fall 2025
Rampart High School
Digital Media Broadcasting and Journalism, Fall 2025
Participation in Co-Curricular/Extra-Curricular Programs
Students can be involved in multiple academic, co-curricular or extra-curricular programs while participating in a CTE program. Students should work with their school counselor to determine the best course selection plan to participate in their desired CTE programs.