Compared to traditional academic courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses focus on real-world skills training. Students don’t just learn about things, but they engage in real-world job related tasks. 

It’s important to note that these courses are held at West Florence High School and should not be confused with the courses offered at Advantage Academy. These pathways are designed to be taken alongside the required courses needed to earn a high school diploma, providing students with additional opportunities to specialize in fields they are passionate about while earning a Career-Ready Seal of Distinction.

CTE prepares students for a successful transition into college and the workforce and are designed to provide knowledge and skills related to professions within each pathway. CTE courses can include classroom instruction, laboratory learning, work-based learning, and student leadership opportunities. 

CTE Pathways 

• Business and Finance 
• Business and Marketing
• Engineering and Technology
• Health Sciences

Additional benefits of CTE courses:

• Improve academic skills and grades for students in math, science, and reading
• Develop employability skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork
• Engage in hands-on experiences related to specific career interest field 
• Develop soft skills that are needed in the modern workplace, such as research tools, creativity, and innovation
• Earn industry-recognized credentials and certifications 
• Acts as a stepping stone to the next stage in a student’s career goals

In 2023 the Advanced CTE Organization stated, “The American workforce is changing. Career Technical Education (CTE) opens bold new paths for learners to achieve lifelong success, offering opportunities that align with all passions and pursuits.”

Note: Students should take 3 courses in the same pathway to become a completer.

 

Business and Finance 

The business finance pathway prepares students for employment in a variety of career areas, including corporate finance, wealth management, financial planning, banking, credit, and investigation.

• Accounting I (H) program requirement 
• Business Finance (H) program requirement 
• Securities and Investments (H)
• Marketing (CP)
• Entrepreneurship (CP) 

Courses should be taken in order

General Management

The general management pathway prepares students for a variety of entry-level and mid-level management roles across different industries, by providing a broad understanding of core business principles like leadership, operations, finance, marketing, and human resources.

• Entrepreneurship (CP) program requirement 
• Accounting I (H) program requirement 
• Fundamentals of Web Page Design & Development (CP & H) 
• Marketing (CP)

Securities and Investments

The securities and Investments pathway provides students will and understanding of the laws and regulations to manage business operations and transactions in the securities industry.

• Securities and Investments (H) program requirement 
• Business Finance (H) program requirement 
• Entrepreneurship (CP)
• Accounting I (H)
• Marketing (CP)

Courses should be taken in order

Note: Students should take 3 courses in the same pathway to become a completer.

Marketing Communications 

The Marketing Communications pathway prepares students for careers in developing and executing integrated marketing strategies across various channels, including advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing, equipping them with skills to effectively communicate a brand message to target audiences, analyze consumer behavior, and manage campaigns to achieve specific marketing goals.

• Marketing (CP) program requirement
• Advertising (CP) program requirement
• Accounting 1 (H)
• Entrepreneurship (CP)
• Fundamentals of Web Design (CP & H)

Courses should  be taken in order

Marketing Management

Marketing Management program prepares students for careers in marketing by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to develop, execute, and analyze marketing strategies, including product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution, to effectively reach target customers and achieve business objectives, often leading to roles like product manager, marketing researcher, advertising specialist, or sales manager.

• Marketing (CP) program requirement 
• Sports Management 1 (H) program requirement
• Entrepreneurship (CP)
• Accounting 1 (H)
• Business Finance (H)

Courses should be taken in order

Note: Students should take 3 courses in the same pathway to become a completer.

Engineering

The engineering pathway exposes students many fields, from aerospace, civil, electrical, mechanical, power and transportation fields. Students gain the skills necessary for advancement into the post-secondary education fields of engineering. 

• Introduction to Engineering (H)
• Principles of Engineering (H)
• Civil & Architectural Engineering (H)
• Aerospace Engineering (H)
• Digital Electronics (H)

Technology 

The technology pathway supports student learning in  programming languages and apply computational thinking to design solutions and build applications to solve problems in the constantly evolving tech landscape, focusing on everything from software development to data analytics to cyber safety.

• Computer Programming 1 (H)   
• Computer Programming 2 (H)
• Fundamentals of Web Page Design and Development 1 (CP & H)
• Fundamentals of Web Page Design and Development  2 (CP & H) 
• Cyber Security 1 & 2 (H)
• Drone Aviation (H)
• Coding & Video Game Design

Note: Students should take 3 courses in the same pathway to become a completer.

Biomedical Science

The biomedical science pathway provides students a strong foundation in human anatomy, disease state, treatments to prepare for post-secondary studies in all medical fields, biology, or biomedical engineering.

• Principles of Biomedical Science  (H) program requirement 
• Human Body Systems (H) program requirement 
• Medical Interventions (H)
• Biomedical Innovations  (H)

Courses should be taken in order 

Health Science

The health science pathway focuses on wellness, nutrition, medicine, injury, disease, and technology used to prepare students for a career in nursing.

• Health Science (Nursing)
• Health Science 1 (H) program requirement 
• Health Science 2  (H) program requirement 
• Health Science 3 (H)
• Courses should be taken in order

Courses should be taken in order 

Sports Medicine 

Sports medicine prepares students for careers in health and wellness, including exercise science, coaching, and athletic training.

• Sports Medicine 
• Sports Medicine 1 (H) program requirement 
• Sports Medicine 2 (H) program requirement 
• Sports Medicine 3  (H)

Courses should  be taken in order

Note: Students should take 3 courses in the same pathway to become a completer.