What is Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

CTE is a combination of academic, employability, leadership, and technical skills that help students achieve success in education and life. CTE programs are designed to engage students and allow them to explore, compete, and succeed as lifelong learners, equipped for our changing economy and their own path to success. CTE works in collaboration with business and industry partners to help our students fill positions that are available today, while closing the skills gap and preparing a qualified workforce for the high-skilled, high-demand, high-wage careers of tomorrow. CTE programs are developing Washington’s most valuable resource – its youth.

Hands-On Learning Aligned with Industry Standards

In Washougal, we believe all students when provided the opportunity, will flourish in an environment that engages them in learning. So, we keep our programs current by staying connected to what is happening in business/industry so our CTE programs prepare our students for the world of work.

Today, in our rapidly changing economy it is more important than ever for us to recognize that education and skills are needed for all students. We call these skills 21st Century Skills. As part of this challenge, Washougal School District is working diligently with students to assist them in developing their “High School and Beyond Plans” as part of their graduation requirements. This plan is developed with the assistance school staff to create an electronic portfolio that represents the goals, skills and accomplishments of each student throughout their high school experience and beyond. The High School and Beyond Plan includes the following:

  • Exploration of personal strengths and aptitudes to determine careers or “pathways” they might be interested in pursuing
  • Development of a four-year plan of courses that align with career interests and post-secondary goals
  • Plan begins in middle school and is reviewed annually by students, school staff and parents
  • Creation of an electronic portfolio.

To learn more about how you can help your student, contact your students’ school for more information.

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Career Clusters

All CTE Classes fall into Career Clusters of which there are 16. A career cluster is a group of jobs and industries that are related by skills or products. Within each cluster, there are “pathways” that correspond to a collection of courses and training opportunities that prepare students for a given career. Click on these 16 clusters to find out more.

CTE Classes

To ensure all students’ are ready for college, career and life the CTE Department offers classes at each school in Washougal aligned to the National Career Clusters and provide multiple pathway options for students to explore. For example, Computer Applications is primarily in the IT Pathway but could also be found in the Business Management & Administration Pathway.  Click on this link to the WHS CTE webpage to see sample Programs of Study. These will also provide a sample 4 year course plan based on students’ post high school goals.

Business Management & Administration:

  • Personal Finance*
  • Social Media Marketing

Information Technology:

  • Computer Applications *
  • Cybersecurity
  • AP Computer Science Principles

Arts, AV Tech & Communications:

  • Yearbook
  • Digital Photography
  • Video Production & Design
  • Music Production & Sound Engineering

Health Sciences:

  • Family Health*
  • Intro to Medical Careers & Terminology*
  • BioMedical Anatomy & Physiology*
  • Sports Medicine

Hospitality & Tourism:

  • Intro to Culinary Arts*
  • Baking & Pastry Arts*
  • Advanced Baking & Pastry
  • Advanced Culinary Arts*

Education & Training:

  • American Sign Language I, II, III, IV*
  • Child Development & Education
  • Careers in Education

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

  • Applied Math*
  • Engineering
  • AP Computer Science Principles

Architecture & Construction:

  • Basic Construction
  • Fine Arts Woodworking

Manufacturing:

  • Metal Crafts & Production
  • Metals Technology & Manufacturing*

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics:

  • Small Engines

Worksite Learning* is also available to students who have successfully completed and passed a CTE course. This course allows students the opportunity to be involved in an internship (could be paid or unpaid) within their career pathway giving them experience in the workplace while receiving high school as well as potentially college credit too. If interested, come to the Career Center for more information.

*Learn more about dual credit courses (high school & college credit at the same time) by clicking here.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math:

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math:

Resources

Want to learn more about career trends, wage earnings and educational paths needed to reach specific careers? Here are some links to help.

You can also contact or come to the Washougal High School Career Center for more information on scholarships, military, apprenticeships, tech schools, trade unions, field trips and more.

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with Washougal CTE Programs from being a guest speaker in our classrooms to becoming a member of our Advisory Committee(s). Your professional experience can positively impact the future of our students. We welcome your involvement. Should you have any questions or want more information, please contact us for more information.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Washougal School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The School District offers classes in many career and technical education program pathways under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact Margaret Rice, Career and Technical Education Director, 360-954-3121, 1201 39th St., Washougal, WA 98671. Erin Van Damm, Career and Technical Education Secretary, 360-954-3119, 1201 39th St., Washougal, WA 98671.  Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Connor McCroskey, 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3020; Title IX Officer: Brian Wilde, 1201 39th Street, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3104; Section 504 Coordinator: Connor McCroskey, 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3020.

Tami Culp Bullying and Harassment Complaint Officer for Grades TK-5

1100 34th St
Washougal, WA 98671
360-954-3701

Jake Healea, Bullying and Harassment Complaint Officer for Grades 6-12

9731 Washougal River Rd
Washougal, WA 98671
360-954-3501

El Distrito Escolar de Washougal no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, origen nacional, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio, y ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados.  El empleado mencionado a continuación ha sido designado para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Coordinador de derechos civiles: Connor McCroskey, 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3020; Oficial de Titulo IX: Brian Wilde, 1201 39th Street, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3104; Coordinadora de la Sección 504: Connor McCroskey, 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 954-3020; Oficial de quejase de intimidación y acoso: Tami Culp y Jake Healea