The Cottonwood School offers an amazing Career Technical Education (CTE) program for our High Schoolers!

Career Technical Education (CTE) is a program of study integrating core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge. Students earn a variety of essential skills certificates, and upon successful completion of a CTE Pathway, students will receive a certificate from TCS. While CTE is career-focused education preparing students for the world of work, completion of a Pathway helps prepare students for college as well and is a valuable addition to one’s application. CTE students are also reported to have higher earning power during college and beyond.

Our CTE program is a carefully crafted program created by industry professionals. Our program offers individualized career-focused projects to help our students develop career-relevant, real-world skills. We also realize the importance of learning about diversity, cultural awareness, and social-emotional learning to aid students in their future success, and these areas are incorporated into our CTE program! CTE Pathways are taught by teachers with recent experience in the industries they teach!

         Join Us & Learn to Earn!

                                                CTE Program Details:

• • Duration of Course: 1-year program, earning 20 credits Fall Start ONLY
    • • The equivalent of 2 years of study
      • 2-year options available*

• • Certification: Certificate of Completion from TCS upon successful completion of the program
    • • Students also earn job skill/employability certificates throughout the course

• • A-G approved
  • 9th-12th graders welcome!

Available Pathways (Fall Start Only):

* Finance Careers (Personal Finance, Financial Services, & Financial Strategy)

* Health Careers (Patient Care, Complimentary, & Supportive Services)

* Hospitality Careers (Events, Travel, &  Leisure)

* Agriculture Careers (Agriscience, Animal Science, & Ornamental Horticulture)

* Business Careers (Entrepreneurship, Managing Business, & Marketing)

* Community Service Careers (Child Development, Education, & Human Services)

Course Features:

• Real-world project-based curriculum designed and taught by industry professionals
• Individualized assignments, simulations, and projects that students help design
• Industry Professional Speakers
• Additional supports available: coaching, one-on-one meetings, and virtual study hall

Schedule:

• CTE Power Hours LIVE! In Zoom for all CTE Pathways (Finance Careers see below)
• Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays
  • • • • Power Hour Section 1: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
        • Power Hour Section 2:   1:30 – 2:30 PM

Requirement: CTE students* must attend Zoom sessions each Tuesday and each Thursday of every week. 

• CTE Finance Careers
  • • • • Students may attend the Personal Finance classes AND/OR CTE Power Hours
        • 1-year, 20-credit program (10 credits each semester)

   *NEW – Beginning with Fall 2025-26 courses: 2 Year Program (5 credits each semester

• • • • Year One: Personal Finance 101
      • Year Two: CTE Capstone Finance Careers

   *NEW – College and Career Readiness Course  

• • • • Stand Alone Course OR
      • Year One of a CTE Pathway
      • Students will choose one of the 6 Pathways for their CTE Capstone Course the following year if they choose.

• Virtual Study Hall is available for all CTE and Personal Finance students on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 pm in Ms. Balliet’s Zoom room.

TCS is offering the following 6 CTE Pathways for the fall of 2025:

Agriculture (Agriscience, Animal Science & Ornamental Horticulture)

Agriculture helps students acquire a broad understanding of the diverse and dynamic field of agriculture, covering agriscience, animal science, and ornamental horticulture. Students will explore California agriculture, agricultural business, and natural resource management while studying sustainable practices in animal and plant systems. They’ll delve into animal care and management, including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and sustainable production systems. Students may also prepare for careers in the nursery, landscaping, and floral industries through topics like plant physiology, reproduction, floriculture, and landscape design. Through interactive online assignments, projects, and real-world case studies, students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in agricultural careers and beyond. Students are able to choose their area of focus. 

Business (Entrepreneurship, Managing Business & Marketing)

This dynamic course empowers students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the world of business. Through interactive online projects and real-world simulations, students will learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, business operations, and marketing strategies. They will explore how to create and manage a business, develop digital marketing campaigns, and build leadership and teamwork skills. This course is designed for aspiring business leaders fostering innovation, problem-solving, and a proactive mindset for success in any career in the digital age. Students are able to choose their area of focus

Finance Careers (Personal Finance, Real Estate, & Financial Strategy)

Finance Careers focuses on managing and advising on financial transactions and strategies to support the financial well-being of individuals, businesses, and organizations. This pathway includes roles in personal finance, banking, lending, corporate finance, debt management, accounting, insurance, and real estate. Students develop skills in budgeting, investment planning, risk assessment, and financial analysis, preparing them to contribute to economic stability and growth while guiding others toward sound financial decisions and long-term success.

Health Careers (Patient Care, Complimentary, & Supportive Services)

Careers in healthcare that directly affect the physical well-being of individuals by providing medical care, conducting diagnostics, offering therapeutic services, administering pharmaceuticals, and supporting nutrition and dental health. Health Careers encompasses healthcare from neonatal to death, addressing all stages from pediatrics to geriatrics and mortuary sciences. It also includes careers that offer alternative and complementary health services such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and others that focus on the holistic well-being of individuals.

Community Service Careers (Child Development, Education, & Human Services)

Community Service Careers prepares students to address the societal and environmental factors impacting health, learning, and well-being, such as access to child care, education, food security, and income equality. Students explore careers in social work, public services, nonprofit organizations, and education, focusing on fostering lifelong learning and supporting individuals and families across all life stages. The program emphasizes skills in teaching, counseling, community engagement, and critical thinking, while also addressing emotional needs through human services providers. Students learn to create meaningful change by promoting equity, personal growth, and community success. Students are able to choose their area of focus.

Hospitality Careers (Events, Travel, &  Leisure)

The Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation Pathway integrates various facets of the hospitality industry: lodging, travel, and tourism; event planning; theme parks, attractions, and exhibitions; and recreation. Students engaged in this Pathway have broad experiences related to specific industry segments, including industry awareness, organizational management, customer service, sales and marketing, facilities management, lodging, travel destinations, reservations, ticketing, and itineraries.