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Career and Technical Education

Explore your future with CTE at DHS

Career and Technical Education (CTE) helps students connect what they learn in school with their interests and future goals. Through hands-on courses, DHS students can:

  • Explore careers and discover their strengths
  • Build practical, real-world skills
  • Learn from industry and community partners
  • Participate in work-based learning
  • Earn college credit or industry-recognized certifications in select pathways
  • Develop leadership skills through a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Whether a student plans to attend college, enter the workforce, pursue technical training, or start a business, CTE provides meaningful experiences that help them take the next step with confidence.

 

DHS CTE Career Clusters, Pathways, and CTSOs

CTE programs at DHS are organized into Career Clusters – groups of related Pathways that reflect real industries and career possibilities. Use these categories to explore your interests and prepare for your life after high school.

Explore the CTE Pathways, courses, and correlating CTSOs listed below.

How to register for your CTSO

To join your CTSO, you must be enrolled in the corresponding CTE Pathway. Start by signing up and submitting your membership fee. Then, download the permission form, fill it out, and bring it to your CTSO advisor to complete your registration. Use the sign-up buttons to take the next step.

Questions? Talk to your CTE teacher to learn more!

DHS CTE Pathways

Caring for Communities

For students who are compassionate, nurturing, and want to make a difference in people’s lives. Explore careers in healthcare, early childhood, and community well-being.

Healthcare

  • PCC Introduction to Healthcare Careers (L1)
  • PCC Medical Terminology (L2)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant A/B (L3)
  • Phlebotomy Technician (L4)
  • EKG Technician (L4)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: HOSA

Early Childhood Education

  • PCC Introduction to Early Childhood Education (L1)
  • PCC Intermediate Early Childhood Education (L2)
  • PCC Advanced Early Childhood Education (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: FCCLA

Creating & Experiencing

A great fit for students who are creative, expressive, and interested in design, broadcast media, fashion or culinary.

Digital Media

  • Digital Media A/B (L1)
  • Sports & News Broadcasting (L2)
  • PCC Graphic Design (L2)
  • El Diablo Media Network (L3)
  • PCC Demon Graphics (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: TSA

Culinary & Hospitality

  • Culinary Essentials (L1)
  • Catering 1 A/B (L2)
  • Pro Start 1 A/B (L2)
  • Pro Start 2 A/B (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: FCCLA

Fashion & Interior Design

  • Fashion Design & Merchandising 1 (L1)
  • Interior Design 1 - Residential (L1)
  • Fashion Design & Merchandising 2 (L2)
  • Interior Design 2 - Commercial (L1)
  • Theater Costume Design (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: FCCLA

Building & Moving

Ideal for hands-on learners who enjoy building, designing, and working with tools, machines and manufacturing.

Aviation

  • Introduction to Aviation & Aerospace (L1)
  • Principles of Flight (L2)
  • Advanced Flight Private Pilot (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: SkillsUSA

Construction Trades

  • Construction Exploration (L1)
  • Action Sports Design & Fabrication (L1)
  • Construction Systems Technology 1 A/B (L2)
  • Construction Systems Technology 2 A/B (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: SkillsUSA

Engineering

  • Principles of Engineering & Technology (L1)
  • Introduction to Drafting Design & Concepts (L1)
  • Introduction to Engineering Design A/B (L2)
  • PCC Introduction to Solidworks (L3)
  • Advanced Robotics (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: FTC Robotics

Welding

  • Introduction to Welding (L1)
  • PCC Welding 1 A/B (L2)
  • PCC Welding 2 A/B (L3)
  • PCC Welding 3 A/B (L4)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: SkillsUSA

Cultivating Resources

Ideal for students who enjoy working with animals, plants, or environmental systems and want to care for our natural world.

Agriculture

  • Introduction to Agriculture A/B (L1)
  • Principles of Animal & Veterinary Science A/B (L2)
  • Principles of Plant Science A/B (L2)
  • Intermediate Veterinary Science A/B (L3)
  • Floriculture A/B (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: FFA

Connecting & Supporting Success

For students interested in leadership, business, technology, or helping others reach their potential.

Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship

  • PCC Introduction to Business (L1)
  • PCC Principles of Marketing (L2)
  • PCC Principles of Management (L3)
  • PCC Entrepreneurship A/B (L3/4)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: DECA

Computer & Digital Technology

  • AP Computer Science Principles A/B (L1)
  • AP Computer Science A A/B (L2)
  • AP Cyber Security 1 A/B (L2)
  • AP Cyber Security Networking A/B (L3)
  • Work-Based Learning (L4)

CTSO: TSA

Career & Work Readiness

ACE (Alternative Cooperative Education)

Alternative Cooperative Education (ACE) is a multi-occupational pathway that provides individualized, developmentally appropriate programming for students identified as Special Populations.

Programming is designed in collaboration with educators, business partners, and community members, creating relevant school- and work-based learning experiences. Students build workforce readiness skills that lead to technical skill attainment in high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand careers.

  • ACE CTE Financial Literacy (L1)
  • ACE CTE School Based Learning (L2)
  • ACE CTE Community Work-Based Learning (L3)
  • ACE CTE Pathway Lab (L4)

CTSO: SC2

Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)

  • DECA
  • FFA
  • FCCLA
  • FIRST Tech Challenge
  • HOSA
  • SC2
  • SkillsUSA
  • TSA