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Sylacauga City Schools

Equipping Everyone for Excellence

Clusters & Curriculum Overview

Clusters & Curriculum Overview

The Career and Technical Education Programs partner with local businesses and industries to provide a strong program.  Students will declare a Career Tech Program in the 9th grade and will follow one of the pathway options throughout their time in high school.

The Career Tech Clusters and Programs are as follows:

  • Arts, Entertainment, & Design (Reynolds)
    • Visual Arts
  • Management & Entrepreneurship (Morgan and White)
    • Business Information Technology
    • Marketing
  • Healthcare & Human Services (Mitchell and Williamson)
    • Health Science
    • PLTW Biomedical Science
  • Hospitality, Events, & Tourism (Scott)
    • Food and Beverage Services
  • Advanced Manufacturing (Browning and Mosley)
    • Modern Manufacturing Center of Excellence
    • PLTW Engineering 
  • Digital Technology (Martin)
    • Information Technology Support and Services
    • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 
  • Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates ~ JAG (Storey)

At the middle school, there are exploratory programs that lead to high school career tech programs. The options are as follows:

  • Health Science (Harwell)
  • Computer Science (Knox)
  • We Build It Better (Browning)


 

Advanced Manufacturing

Aligning with Alabama’s thriving industrial sector, this program teaches modern manufacturing engineering, computer-integrated systems, precision tools, and safety protocols. Students develop technical problem-solving capabilities while learning the fundamentals of mechanics, automation, and project-based engineering. This hands-on experience prepares students to earn technical credentials and pursue high-demand careers as industrial maintenance technicians, robotics operators, quality control specialists, or manufacturing engineers.

School Name Program Name
Sylacauga High School Advanced Manufacturing
Sylacauga High School PLTW Engineering
Nichols-Lawson Middle School We Build It Better

 

 

 

  • Advanced Manufacturing

  • PLTW Engineering

Arts, Entertainment, and Design

This program immerses students in the creative and technical principles of visual communications, media production, and commercial photography. Students develop essential skills in camera operation, lighting, darkroom and digital editing, graphic arts, and video production through hands-on laboratory projects. Earning industry-recognized credentials such as Adobe Certified Associate certifications, graduates can use these foundational talents to pursue careers in photojournalism, graphic design, film and television production, and digital marketing.

School Name 

Program Name

Sylacauga High School

Visual Arts

Sylacauga High School

Entertainment and Media

  • 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.

Digital Technology

This cluster equips students with high-demand computational skills across computer science, information technology support, software applications, and cybersecurity principles. Students learn how to troubleshoot hardware and software issues, manage networks, write code, and implement essential data security measures. Knowledge gained in this pathway allows students to pursue immediate IT certifications or further education leading to careers in network administration, software development, cybersecurity analysis, and tech support.

School Name Program Name
Nichols-Lawson Middle School Computer Science Discoveries & Endeavors
Sylacauga High School Information Technology Support & Services
Sylacauga High School Cybersecurity & Infrastructure

 

  • ITSS

  • CAI

Healthcare and Human Services

Addressing one of the nation's fastest-growing industries, this program introduces students to foundational health sciences, human anatomy, medical terminology, and basic patient care skills. Through classroom instruction, laboratory simulations, and potential clinical internships, students learn essential medical procedures, safety protocols, and wellness concepts. Graduates can leverage this training to immediately enter entry-level healthcare roles or pursue postsecondary degrees in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, therapy, or social services.

 

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

Hospitality, Events, and Tourism

This cluster focuses on the art of customer service, culinary principles, food safety, and large-scale event organization. Students learn hands-on culinary skills, menu planning, food and beverage operations, and the logistics behind managing successful hospitality events. The practical knowledge gained in this program prepares students for immediate employment or advanced training in restaurant management, hotel administration, event coordination, and tourism operations.

 

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.

 

JAG

JAG is a workforce preparation program focused on developing essential career readiness, leadership, and life skills. Students learn job search strategies, resume writing, professional interview techniques, financial literacy, communication, and critical thinking in a team environment. This practical guidance ensures students graduate with the confidence and competence to smoothly transition directly into the workforce, enlist in the military, or succeed in postsecondary education.

 

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.

Management and Entrepreneurship

Designed to build the business leaders of tomorrow, this cluster teaches core concepts in business information technology, corporate operations, marketing, and finance. Students gain hands-on experience using industry-standard business software applications, analyzing market trends, and developing viable business plans. This knowledge equips students with the essential skills needed to launch their own start-ups, manage corporate teams, or excel in business administration, accounting, and sports management roles.

 

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.