Cherokee Schools Celebrate CTAE Awareness Month

From Cherokee Co. Schools: While the Cherokee County School District is well known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum, our high schools also offer more than 20 different career certifications in technology, healthcare, video production, automotive, welding, and more!

“We’ve taken career education to the next level by continuously shaping our programs to align with local industry needs and national certification standards,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “These classes not only prepare students for the workforce or technical college, but also give hands-on skills to college-prep students that can benefit them in their careers and in life.”

While most CCSD graduates enroll in college or a technical school program within a few months of completing high school, about 25% of each graduating class enters the workforce directly after earning a high school diploma.

What many parents remember as “vocational classes” are aligned today under the state CTAE (Career Technical and Agricultural Education) program and are grouped by Career Pathways. “Pathway Completers” are those students who earn three or more credit hours within a single Pathway, which can lead to certification and advanced job readiness.

CCSD’s CTAE program also leverages partnerships with local industry and workforce development entities, as well as Chattahoochee Technical College, to ensure students are ready to take their next step after high school. CCSD students can earn recognized industry credentials, participate in work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities, and serve as leaders through programs like SkillsUSA, JROTC and industry-related clubs and competitions.

“We have students graduating with full-time welding jobs lined up,” Dr. Hightower said of one example of the CTAE program’s many successes, noting that the benefits extend to college-bound students as well. “We also have students headed to nursing and pre-med programs as certified nursing assistants – knowledge that puts them ahead of their classmates and qualifies them for a great part-time job.”

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