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Clusters & Curriculum Overview

Clusters & Curriculum Overview

The Career and Technical Education Programs partner with local business and industry to provide a strong program.  Students will declare a Career Tech Academy in the 9th grade and will follow the pathway throughout the high school grades.  The Career Tech Academy options are as follows:

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications (Elliff and Reynolds)
    • Photography
    • Film/video
  • Business Information and Technology (Hosey and Sutton)
    • Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications
    • Insurance 
    • Data Analytics
    • Finance
  • Health Science (Kirkland and Mitchell)
    • Patient Care Technician (PCT)
    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
    • EKG
  • Hospitality & Tourism (Vineyard)
    • ServSafe Manager
    • Customer Service Gold
  • STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (Mosley)
    • AutoDesk CAD
    • AutoDesk Fusion 360

In the middle grades, the exploratory programs that lead to high school career academies.

  • Health Science (Lane)
  • STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (Browning)
  • Information Technology (Fleaman)

Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Courses in this cluster provide students with knowledge and skills for further education and employment. Students use current and emerging technology, observe modeling and mastery of competencies, and develop and apply skills required for success in their chosen fields within this cluster. 

School Name 

Program Name

Sylacauga High School

Commercial Photography

Sylacauga High School

Television Production

  • The Arts, Audio-Video Technology, and Communications Cluster engages students in challenging curricula where they are able to develop technical skills in the areas of graphic arts, television production, animation, advertising design, and commercial photography within a safe and innovative setting. Students who choose to complete a pathway in this cluster complete laboratory work, projects, and assignments related to  current and emerging technology, observe modeling and mastery of competencies, and develop and apply skills required for success in their chosen fields. Students work together to build a community of learning where their creative ideas become a source of learning.

    What programs within this cluster does Sylacauga High School offer?

    • Commercial Photography Program
    • Television Production Program

    What student organizations are offered withing this cluster? 

    • SkillsUSA

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    • Adobe-Photoshop Certified Associate
    • Adobe-Premier Pro Certified Associate

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on Careers in this Cluster.

  • Commercial Photography provides students with the opportunity to experience practical training in current and emerging photographic technology. The curriculum is based on industry standards designed to provide specialized skills and technical knowledge relevant to photography. Students focus on essential elements in camera, film development, darkroom procedures, safety, history, and composition principles. 

    Courses

    NLMS

    Journalism- grade 7

    Journalism- grade 8

    Sylacauga High 

    Foundation of Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications 

    Introduction to Commercial Photogrpahy 

    Medium Format Photography 

    Senior Career Pathway Project

    Credentials

    Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)- Photoshop

    Student Organization 

    SkillsUSA

    A digital camera displays settings on its screen, including ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. A digital camera with a large lens is mounted on a tripod, ready for use. A person wearing a mask holds a camera with a large lens, indoors.

Business Management and Administration

If you want to run your own business or be the person that makes a business successful, be sure to look at the opportunities within this cluster. Students learn business skills essential to efficient, productive operations for any company.

School Name

Program Name

Sylacauga High School

Business Management and Administration 

  • The Business Management and Administration Cluster prepares learners for careers and/or continuing education opportunities by planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service, and communication.

    What programs within this cluster does Sylacauga High School offer?

    • Business Management & Administration

    What student organizations are offered within this cluster? 

    • FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    • Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 (MOS)- Powerpoint, Word, Excel
    • Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)- Premier Pro 

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on careers in this cluster.

  • Courses

    NLMS

    Journalism- grade 7

    Journalism- grade 8

    Sylacauga High

    Business Essentials

    Business Technology Applications

    Business Technology Applications- Advanced

    Career Preparedness

    Multimedia Design 

    Multimedia Publications

    Senior Career Pathway Project- BMA (Aggie VOLS)

    Work-Based Learning- First credit

    Work-based learning- second credit

    Work-based learning- third credit

    Work-based learning- fourth credit

    Workforce Essentials (Alabama Ready to Work)

    Credentials

    •  Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 (MOS)- PowerPoint, Word, Excel
    • Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)-Premier Pro

    Student Organization

    • FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

    A group of students pose together in a school hallway, smiling at the camera. A teacher stands in front of a classroom of students working on computers. A large group of young adults pose for a photo in a conference room. A group of people on stage hold awards, celebrating an achievement.

    Hands are sorting through magazines and promotional materials on a table. A wall displays Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. A teacher stands in front of a classroom of students working on computers.

Education and Training

If you want to have a lifelong impact on others, then you will want to take a close look at the Education and Training cluster. These classes develop the art of teaching and prepare students for the practice skills that they will need for a future career in this cluster. 

School Name

Program Name

Sylacauga High School 

Early Childhood Education Program

  • The Education and Training Career Cluster prepares high school students in three pathway areas: Administration and Professional Support Services, Early Childhood Education, and Teaching and Training. Rigorous instruction is provided to equip students with knowledge and skills needed in preparation for credentials, articulated credit, and/or further education.

    What programs within this cluster does Sylacauga High School offer?

    •  Early Childhood Education Program

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    •  Child Development Associate (CDA)

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on careers in this cluster.

  • The Early Childhood Education Program at SHS prepares students for immediate employment in the fast-growing field of preschool education. Through the series of five courses, students work directly with young children, develop lesson plans, and learn about brain development and developmental theory. This program prepares students for the Preschool Child Development Associate Credential, a nationally-recognized standard in Early Childhood Education. In Alabama, this credential qualifies graduates to work as Assistant Teachers in any of the state's First Class Pre-K classrooms.

    Courses

    Sylacauga High

    Preschool CDA I

    Preschool CDA II

    Preschool CDA III

    Preschool CDA IV

    Preschool CDA V

    Credentials

    Child Development Associate (CDA) 

    Student Organization

    N/A

    A group of children and two adults pose for a photo in a classroom. A woman and several children stand in a gymnasium, some holding a ball. A group of children and adults pose together in a classroom setting. A group of children and an adult pose together, all wearing decorative masks. A group of smiling children and a young woman pose for a selfie.

     

Finance

The finance industry is a critical sector that employs millions of people. The Finance Career Cluster prepares students for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management. Finance career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require skill in organization, time management, customer service, and communication. 

School Name

Program Name

Sylacauga High School

Finance

  • The Finance Career Cluster prepares students for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Financial career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require skill in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

    What programs within this cluster does Sylacauga High School offer?

    • Finance

    What student organizations are offered within this cluster? 

    • FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    • Intuit Quickbooks Certified User

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on careers in this cluster.

  • The Finance Cluster prepares learners for careers and/or continuing education opportunities in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

    Courses

    Sylacauga High

    Accounting 

    Banking & Financial Statements

    Personal Finance- ACCESS 

    Credentials

     Intuit Quickbooks Certified User

    Student Organization

    FBLA

Health Science

Healthcare is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the United States. In the Health Science career cluster you can prepare for a career that promotes health, wellness and diagnosis, and treats injuries and disease. Some careers involve working directly with people, while others involve research into diseases or collecting and formatting data and information. You could work in hospitals, medical or dental offices, laboratories, communities, medivac units, or even sports arenas or cruise ships. 

School Name

Program Name

Nichols Lawson Middle

Health Science

Sylacauga High

Health Science

  • In the Health Science Career Cluster, you can prepare for a career that promotes health, wellness and diagnosis, and treats injuries and diseases. Some careers involve working directly with people, while others involve research into diseases or collecting and formatting data and information.

    What programs within this cluster does Nichols Lawson Middle School and Sylacauga High School offer? 

    • Health Science

    What student organizations are offered within this cluster? 

    • HOSA

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    • American Lifeguard Association Certification 
    • BLS Instructor with Healthcare Provider
    • Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)
    • Certified EKG Technician (CET)
    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on Careers in this Cluster.

  • Courses

    NLMS

    Sylacauga High

    Foundations of Health Science

    Medical Terminology 

    Therapeutic Services

    Nurse Training Aide

    Patient Care Technician (PCT)

    Health Science Internship 

    PLTW- Principles of Biomedical Science

    Credentials

    American Lifeguard Association Certification 

    BLS Instructor with Healthcare Provider 

    Certified Patient Care Technician (PCT)

    Certified EKG Technician (CET)

    Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

    Student Organization

    HOSA 

    A large group of students in scrubs hold signs, posing for a photo. A large group of diverse students pose in front of the 'Bodies: The Exhibition' sign. Two students practice medical procedures on a mannequin in a clinical setting. A group of people pose in front of a helicopter on a grassy field.  

    A group of students wearing protective gear stand in a classroom. A group of students pose together, holding a large check outdoors.

  • Courses

    Career Cluster Explorations

    Health Explorations

    Introduction to Careers in Healthcare

    Student Organization

    HOSA Middle School

Information Technology

Information Technology careers are available in every sector of the economy. Careers in IT involve design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. 

School Name

Program Name

Nichols Lawson Middle School

Computer Science Discoveries: Learning to Code

Sylacauga High School

Programming and Software Development

Human Services

  • The Hospitality and Tourism Career Cluster focuses on preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to family and human needs, such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care services, and consumer services. 

    What programs within this cluster does Sylacauga High School offer?

    • Hospitality and Tourism

    What student organizations are offered within this cluster? 

    • FCCLA

    What credentials do students have the opportunity to earn? 

    • ServSafe Manager
    • Guest Services

    Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CLICK HERE for more information on careers in this cluster.

Career and Technical Education Dual Enrollment

  • Dual Enrollment for Dual Credit is available to students attending public, private, parochial or church/religious schools pursuant to §16-28-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975, or who are receiving instruction from a home school/private tutor pursuant to §16-28-5 of the Code of Alabama 1975.

    Dual enrollment is a great way to get a head start on training for the workforce or for an associate's or bachelor's degree. Students earn credits towards an associate degree from an Alabama Community College.  Sylacauga City Schools partners with Auburn University, Central Alabama Community College (CACC), The University of Alabama, The University of North Alabama, and Jacksonville State University to allow students to take college-level courses.

    Eligible students must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, have a 2.5 GPA and obtain written approval from a counselor and school administrator. To find out more about dual enrollment, please visit the Sylacauga High School Guidance Office page.

    Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board may establish guidelines in accordance with the regulations of the State Department of Education by which qualified high school students are allowed to take post-secondary college courses for high school credit.

    [Reference:  Ala. Admin. Code 290-3-1-.02(11)]

    A stylized letter 'A' in navy blue with a gold outline. The UA Early College logo features white text on a crimson background. The words 'Jump Start Dual Enrollment' are displayed in red, with a flame graphic. 

    Sylacauga High Student Graduates with Two Diplomas

    The dual enrollment partnership with CACC allows SHS students to take some of their required high school courses, as well as additional courses, through the community college.

    Alabama Community College System - Dual Enrollment

    The top reasons students consider dual enrollment at a community college are: Cost Savings, Simultaneous Credit, Experience, and Achievement.

Work-Based Learning

  • Federal legislation references work-based learning (WBL) in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), and ​the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). State legislation references WBL in Ala. Admin. Code 290-6-1-.04.

    Work-based learning is one of the 12 elements of a high-quality CTE Program. Work-based learning (WBL) is a proactive approach to bridging the gap between high school and high-demand, high-skill careers in Alabama. In an increasingly complex global economy, all students must be prepared with intellectual, technical, and social skills needed to compete and contribute meaningfully to their communities. For most, this will mean completing some postsecondary education or training; for all, it will mean learning about themselves and the world of work.

    Work-Based Learning provides students with educational opportunities that typically cannot be replicated in the classroom. Work-based experiences are designed to connect information learned in the classroom with skills obtained in an occupational setting as an apprentice or intern. Students build on classroom-based instruction to develop employability skills that prepare them for success in postsecondary education and future careers. Through experiences like internships, apprenticeships, and paid work experience, juniors and seniors (16 years or older) may earn high school credit for capstone WBL experiences.

    The Superintendent is authorized to develop guidelines and procedures in accordance with the regulations of the Alabama State Department of Education for work-based learning experiences to be conducted in the school system, including, but not limited to, guidelines for decision-making and protocol for solving problems at the workplace and school. CTE Directors work with WBL Coordinators to maintain a range of activities such as workplace tours, job shadowing, school-based enterprises, internships, and apprenticeships. WBL Coordinators are educators who are trained and certified by the department to coordinate these WBL experiences for students. Our director and coordinator work with local industry partners to abide by the ALSDE Rules and Regulations.

    If you are a student or a parent and would like to learn more about our school district's WBL Program, please reach out to Mrs. Sutton.

    Opinion | Work based learning benefits potential employees and employers

    The Alabama Work-Based Learning logo features the state outline with gears.