Pathways in Medical Technology and Engineering are First Offerings
To better prepare students for both college and the world of work after high school, the Sweetwater District is now offering a career technical education program at the middle school level.
Eighth grade students at two schools, Granger Junior High and Hilltop Middle School, will now have the option of enrolling in a career exploration pathway. Introduction to Health Science and Medical Technology will be offered at Granger. At Hilltop, students will be able to enroll in Pre-Engineering and Design.
Both pathways offer a year-long series of elective courses that give students an overview of the chosen industry and the career options offered in that field.
"In today's increasingly competitive global economy, it's important for children to get an early introduction to real-world options after graduation," said School Board President John McCann. "That's why we are especially pleased to be expanding career technical education opportunities to middle school students at two Sweetwater schools."
The California Department of Education recently awarded the Sweetwater District a $96,866 grant to support the launch of the pathway at Granger Junior High in National City. The district will use ROP monies to fund the program at Hilltop Middle.
Until this school year, career pathways were offered only in grades 9 through 12. A variety of pathways are available to students at high schools throughout the district.
With the expansion of the program down to 8th grade, students who enter pathways at Granger and Hilltop will be able to transition to the established career tech academies in the same pathway when they reach high school.