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Career Tech Education (CTE)

Jenison Public Schools is proud to offer a wide range of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers. CTE seeks to give purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge within a selected career focus, including:
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Business Management
  • Construction Trades
In addition to these programs, students often have the opportunity to participate in internships, engage with mentors from our local business community, compete in competitions, and practice what they are learning through hands-on projects. Many students who participate in our programs earn college credit as well.

Enrolling in CTE courses delivers real-world options for students by preparing them for rewarding careers while providing an exceptional high-school experience.

Why CTE?

CTE is learning that works for students by delivering real options for college and rewarding careers.

CTE helps fill the skills gap
  • Nearly 60 percent of companies report having difficulty filling job openings because of a lack of qualified skilled applicants, which can cost a company upwards of $800,000 each year in lost productivity and recruitment.  At the same time, six out of the ten hardest-to-fill positions are in technical fields or require a CTE background.
CTE programs directly connect learners in high school with employers
  • CTE programs provide a clear pipeline of talent and unique opportunities for students to engage in apprenticeships and other meaningful on-the-job experiences.  In fact, employer participation is a requirement of funding for CTE programs in the majority of states.

More on CTE

CTE Delivers Real Options for College and Rewarding Careers
  • CTE programs allow students to explore a range of options for their future - inside and outside the classroom.
  • Through CTE, students can start their path toward a career that they are passionate about, while earning valuable experience, college credits and more.

CTE Delivers Real-World Skills
  • CTE is a unique opportunity for hand-on learning - putting students at the center of action.
  • CTE provides the skills and confidence students need to pursue career options, discover their passions and get on a path to success.
  • CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge.
  • Students receive hands-on training, mentoring, and internships from employers in their community.  They also learn how to develop a professional resume and interview for a job.
  • These additional tools and experiences help ensure students are ready for the real world.

CTE Delivers a Real High School Experience with Exceptional Value
  • CTE programs are a part of Jenison high school - students can participate in CTE and the other activities they enjoy, such as sports, the arts or whatever else their friends are doing.
  • CTE take students even further during their high school experience - providing opportunities for specialized classes, internships, and networking with members of their community.

CAREER TECH COURSES

Business Course Offerings

CTE Accounting 1 & 2 (courses #527 & #528)                                                  
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Fulfills Senior Math requirement

This course will prepare students to understand the language of business, analyze business transactions, prepare and analyze financial documents and use spreadsheet software.


CTE Advanced Marketing 1 & 2 (courses #550 & #551) 
Grades 11,12 Prerequisites: Digital Marketing & Sports and Entertainment Marketing

CTE Advanced Marketing is a continuation of CTE Marketing 1&2 and is the perfect way to become more involved with DECA while gaining real job experience through the Green Bean and Cat’s Corner. You will also have the opportunity to earn an additional industry recognized certification and work with local businesses to learn project management skills.

 

CTE Building Wealth (courses #509) 
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Fulfills .5 credit of Senior Math requirement

Through team activities and a semester-long corporate investment project, students make connections between accounting and finance. Students acquire an understanding of financial statements, calculate financial ratios, and make corporate financial management decisions based on their analysis of that financial data. In addition, students apply the concepts of operating and overhead costs, internal accounting controls, and budgets to their class business.


CTE Business Management 1 & 2
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course will prepare students with skills related to business at all levels. They will focus on foundation skills, such as listening/speaking, management and leadership, problem solving, human relations, etc. Students will also focus on learning the skills needed to be proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and allow them to certify in each for free.

 

CTE Entrepreneurship 1 & 2 (courses #552 & #553)
Grades 10, 11, 12

Have you dreamed of owning your own business? Would you like to be your own boss? In Entrepreneurship students will replicate all the functions of real businesses in both structure and practice. Under the guidance of a teacher-facilitator and business mentors, students create and manage businesses from product development, production and distribution to marketing, sales, human resources, accounting/finance and web design.


CTE Financial Management (course #508)
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Fulfills .5 credit of Senior Math requirement

Financial Management begins by taking a look at managing students’ personal finances and exploring strategies for maintaining a debt free lifestyle. Topics explored throughout the semester include: managing a checking and savings account, exploring types of credit and how to manage it, paying for college, budgeting, investing, financial pitfalls, career exploration, taxes and insurance.

 

CTE Marketing 1 & 2 (courses #543 & #544)
Grades 10, 11, 12

Successful completion of Marketing 1&2 fulfills Economics requirement

Students will learn marketing fundamentals, sales, integrated communications, analytics, branding, pricing, and supply chain management. Job skills like communication, collaboration, and problem solving will be taught through project based learning and while working in our school based businesses, the Cat’s Corner and Green Bean. You will have the opportunity to join DECA and earn a free industry recognized certification.

 

CTE Business Technologies (Blended) (course #507BL)
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 

Microsoft/Office 365 is the top software used by businesses around the world today. This course will focus on learning the skills needed to be proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and allow you to certify in each of them for free. Some colleges may even award credit for passed certifications. You may also have the opportunity to learn other technologies that businesses use such as the Google Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva.


 

The following courses are Work Based Learning (WBL) related courses:

            Accounting 1&2        Advanced Marketing 1&2        Building Wealth

            Business Management        Entrepreneurship 1&2         Financial Management

            Marketing 1&2        Office Management       Website Design                              



*Business Articulation Agreements

 

Students completing the following courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher and signed documentation from their instructor for the class are eligible for advanced credit at the following universities/colleges.  These credits will appear on a student’s college transcript once they have applied, been accepted, and successfully completed at least one additional course.

 

                                                                    Davenport University Equivalency

Jenison Course           (also Scottish Qualifications Authority Equivalency)

Accounting 1 & 2                                         ACCT201    Accounting Fundamentals 1

Business Management                               MGMT211    Management Foundations

Marketing 1 & 2                                           MKTG 211   Marketing Foundations

Advanced Marketing 1 & 2                          MKTG 212   Professional Selling

Office Management                                     CISP112      Applied Information Technology

 

Degrees (link) available at Davenport that require the above courses:

Accounting

Business BBA

Marketing


Jenison Course          Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Equivalency

Accounting 1 & 2                                           BA 156        Accounting Fundamentals

Entrepreneurship                                           BA 105        Entrepreneurship

Office Management                                       CIS 103        Introduction to Windows/Microsoft

Office Management                                       CIS 155        Word

Office Management                                       CIS 156        Excel

 

Degrees (link) available at GRCC that require the above courses:

Accounting

Business Administration

Entrepreneurship Certificate

 

Jenison Course                                                            Baker College Equivalency

Accounting 1 & 2                                                            ACC 1010            Principles of Accounting 1

Accounting 1 & 2                                                            ACC 1020            Principles of Accounting 2

Business Management & Office Management            FIN 1010            Personal Finance

Business Management & Office Management            LAW 2110            Business Law

Business Management & Office Management           MGT 1010             Introduction to Business

Business Management & Office Management            MGT 1110            Professional Mgmt  Behavior

Entrepreneurship                                                             MKT 1110            Principles of Marketing

Entrepreneurship                                                            EN 2010            Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Financial Management & Building Wealth                        ACC 1010            Principles of Accounting 1

Financial Management & Building Wealth                        ACC 1020            Principles of Accounting 2

Marketing 1 & 2                                                            MKT 1110            Principles of Marketing

Marketing 1 & 2                                                            EN 2010            Introduction to Entrepreneurship

 

Degrees (link) available at Baker College that require the above courses:

Accounting

Business Administration

Marketing





Applied Technology Course Offerings

Each Applied Technology course fulfills .5 Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts (VPA) credit.

  

CTE Introduction to Construction (formerly called Woods I, course #650)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Students gain a better understanding of industrial occupations. Areas covered are: basic hand tools, power hand tools, power equipment, maintenance, safety, wood joint construction, material testing, wood finishing, product design, machining and product fabrication. Students will demonstrate an understanding of workshop protocol and employability skills, as well as construct several projects.

 

CTE Construction Build (course #615)                                                           

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Construction

Construction Build introduces career and occupational employment opportunities available in the construction industry, as well as, learning to make a variety of basic home repairs. This lab-based course develops skills associated with the construction trade and home repair including drywall, painting, and electrical installation. The class will have a strong focus on safety and machine use as it relates to industry. Students will demonstrate an understanding of workshop protocol and employability skills, as well as produce projects related to the construction trade field. Students will build a budget for home remodel projects and also study green remodeling and the use of green material in home improvement. This course is repeatable and can be selected twice a year upon completion of Construction Finish.

 

CTE Construction Finish (course #651)                                                      

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Construction

This course provides the opportunity for students to design and build furniture. Students will demonstrate an understanding of workshop protocol and employability skills, as well as skills associated with the production of furniture. Each student will design and construct a project for the class that will be entered into the MITES woodworking competition. This course is repeatable and can be selected twice a year upon completion of Construction Build.

 

*Construction Articulation Agreements

 

Students completing the above courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher and signed documentation from the CTE Director for the class are eligible for advanced credit at the following universities/colleges.  These credits will appear on a student’s college transcript once they have applied, been accepted, and successfully completed at least one additional course. 

 

The following universities participate in Construction Articulation Agreements.  To find out if you are eligible for credit, please see the CTE Director in the CTE office. 

            Baker College

            Davenport University

Washtenaw College

CTE Staff

Connor BaineConnor Baine
Business Teacher


Chris BattleChris Battle
Industrial Arts Teacher

Jordan WhittecarJordan Whittecar
Business Teacher & DECA Advisor

Molly LauretoMolly Laureto
CTE Administrative Assistant

Kelly Kirkland
Director of Career & Technical Education



Non-Discrimination Statement
The Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learning/working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, free from illegal discrimination and harassment. There will be no tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, genetic information, disability, age or any other basis prohibited by law. The Superintendent will develop administrative regulations to implement this policy. The Superintendent designates Ms. Leslie Philipps (Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator) to supervise the implementation of this policy and its implementing regulations. 

Ms. Leslie Philipps 
Director of Human Resources 
8375 20th Avenue Jenison, MI 49428 
(616) 667-3241 
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