CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
GRADES 6-12
CTE is a fantastic approach to learning that provides technical skill proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes students’ academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, attitudes toward work, general employability skills, technical skills, occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the industry including entrepreneurship.
Pathways Currently Offered at Elite for Students in Grades 6-12
Game Development & Animation
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: Game Development Academy A & B
Capstone: Advanced Game Development and Animation A & B (Honors)
The Game Development and Animation pathway is a deep journey into the vibrant world of interactive computer graphics technology. Students will begin by acquiring foundational computer programming, 3D modeling, and 2D/3D animation skills, which they will progressively apply in designing, developing, and building their own video game and animation projects. This pathway teaches industry-standard game development systems such as Unity and Unreal Engine (along with the various programming languages and pipelines associated with them). Students will also learn to create compelling narratives, memorable characters, stylized props, and immersive environments, bringing them to life with animation techniques using more industry-standard software like Blender and Maya. In addition, they’ll acquire experience with portfolio development, presentation, and feedback, which are crucial soft skills. This pathway not only equips students with technical proficiencies but also nurtures the problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and creativity essential attributes for a successful career in the evolving fields of VFX, UX/UI Design, architectural visualization, software engineering, AR/VR development, and animation.
Professional Dance
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Professional Dance A & B
Capstone:CTE Professional Dance 2A & 2B
The Professional Dance Pathway offers students an exciting experience in dance, where they learn, refine, and master various dance forms and techniques. Students will develop a broad and versatile dance vocabulary to express themselves creatively and perform confidently across multiple platforms. They will also learn choreography skills, allowing them to construct and present original dance pieces. This pathway emphasizes the importance of physical conditioning and injury prevention teaching students about anatomy nutrition and safe dance practices. Students will explore the history and cultural significance of different dance styles alongside the practical elements, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form. Additionally they will learn professional skills such as auditioning, portfolio development, and self-promotion, preparing them for a successful career in the competitive world of professional dance. This pathway ultimately cultivates technical proficiency, discipline, teamwork and resilience.
Education
Intro Courses: CTE ASL 1A & 1B
Concentrators: CTE Early Childhood Education A & B
Capstone: CTE Infant & Toddler Development A & Course Development
The Education Pathway is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in various educational roles. Students will explore core topics such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, and classroom management. Students will gain experience in creating effective lesson plans, implementing diverse instructional strategies, and assessing student performance. This pathway also places significant emphasis on understanding the diverse needs of students, including those with special educational needs, thereby fostering inclusive teaching practices. Students will learn to use technology effectively in the classroom and stay abreast of current educational policy and research trends. Additionally, they will develop key interpersonal skills like communication, empathy and conflict resolution.
Recreation
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Aquatic Recreation in SoCal A & CTE Introduction to Surfing A
Capstones: CTE Mechanics of Surfing A & CTE Boating Careers
The Recreation Pathway provides students with an understanding of the tourism and recreational industries, the mechanics of the businesses that offer these services, as well as the wide-range of benefits recreation offers to improve individual health & wellness. These concepts are integrated into community development, global stewardship and the wider societal landscape to empower students to influence their surroundings for the greater good. Students will learn how to plan, organize and manage recreational activities and events for diverse disciplines and populations, ranging from individual excursions, group adventures, community events, and therapeutic recreational programs. They will explore the business side of recreation, itinerary building, risk assessment, and the ethics and responsibilities of recreation. These skills are built through hands-on experience in the great outdoors; from surfing days to backpacking trips – first aid seminars to rescue scenarios.This pathway promotes the development of leadership skills, teamwork, communication and problem solving abilities which are crucial for careers in the recreation industry. Additionally, it fosters an understanding of recreation’s significant role in promoting health, happiness, and quality of life within our communities.
Wilderness Adventure Recreation
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Natural Awareness A & CTE Adventure Essentials A
Capstones: Course Development
The Recreation Pathway provides students with an understanding of the tourism and recreational industries, the mechanics of the businesses that offer these services, as well as the wide-range of benefits recreation offers to improve individual health & wellness. These concepts are integrated into community development, global stewardship and the wider societal landscape to empower students to influence their surroundings for the greater good. Students will learn how to plan, organize and manage recreational activities and events for diverse disciplines and populations, ranging from individual excursions, group adventures, community events, and therapeutic recreational programs. They will explore the business side of recreation, itinerary building, risk assessment, and the ethics and responsibilities of recreation. These skills are built through hands-on experience in the great outdoors; from surfing days to backpacking trips – first aid seminars to rescue scenarios. This pathway promotes the development of leadership skills, teamwork, communication and problem solving abilities which are crucial for careers in the recreation industry. Additionally, it fosters an understanding of recreation’s significant role in promoting health, happiness, and quality of life within our communities.
eSports
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Intro to eSports A & CTE Esports: Inside the Games S1
Capstones: Course Development
The eSports pathway is designed for students interested in the field of competitive gaming. As part of this curriculum, students will gain insights into the esports industry’s rich history, current trends, and potential future. Students will also explore the diverse roles within esports, from players to casters, managers, and developers. Students will explore esports strategies, team dynamics, and game theory across popular gaming platforms. This pathway provides students with a foundational understanding of the esports landscape and enables them to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving domain.
Marketing
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Social Media Marketing A & CTE Digital Marketing A
Capstones: CTE Digital Yearbook: Publishing A & B
The Marketing Pathway explores the dynamic world of advertising, sales and how it impacts the world around you. You will learn how to create compelling marketing strategies that connect with diverse audiences, engage customers, and even develop your personal brand. The curriculum emphasizes foundational marketing principles, contemporary digital practices, and social media marketing analytic tools to understand market trends, that will help you learn to build a brand. You will gain experience planning and executing marketing plans, analyzing and interpreting data to make informed decisions, and communicating effectively across various platforms in the way you see popular influencers do today. This pathway blends theory and practice to equip students with a robust understanding of marketing’s role in business through classes that explore Digital Publishing, Digital Marketing, and Social Media. It develops essential critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and collaboration skills.
Production Arts
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators:CTE Songwriting and Ukulele A & CTE Intro to Guitar & Recording A
Capstones: Course Development
The Production Arts Pathway offers students a deep dive into the art and science of creating music. These courses teach students the foundations of music theory, composition and arrangement, equipping them to craft musical experiences across various genres. The pathway incorporates essential sound design elements, teaching students to manipulate and create unique sounds. Furthermore, students will explore the business aspects of music production, learning about copyright laws, music marketing and the different avenues for music distribution. This comprehensive pathway fosters critical listening skills, creativity, problem solving and collaboration skills. Whether students aspire to become producers, sound engineers or composers, this pathway provides students with the practical tools and theoretical knowledge to succeed in the music industry.
Mental & Behavioral Health
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Sport Psychology A & B
Capstones: CTE Physiological Aspects of Sport Performance A & B
The Mental and Behavioral Health pathway with a focus on Sports Psychology and Physiology is designed to provide high school students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between mental health, physical performance, and athletic achievement. This CTE pathway offers students the opportunity to explore the fascinating field of sports psychology and physiology by integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experiences. Throughout this pathway, students will be introduced to foundational concepts in psychology, learning how psychological factors impact athletes’ performance, motivation, resilience, and overall well-being. They will delve into the psychological aspects of coaching, sport-specific mental skills training, and strategies for enhancing personal and team performance.
Furthermore, students will gain insight into the physiological aspects of sports and exercise, exploring how the body adapts to physical activity and the ways in which physical fitness affects mental health. They will study exercise physiology, nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery techniques to understand how to optimize athletic performance and promote overall well-being. Practical experiences will be integrated into the pathway through hands-on activities, such as designing training programs, conducting fitness assessments, and applying psychological interventions to improve athletes’ mental toughness and optimal performance. By completing the Sports Psychology and Physiology pathway, students will develop a strong foundation in both mental and physical health, creating pathways to pursue careers in sports psychology, coaching, athletic training, exercise science, and other related fields. This pathway will empower students to make a positive impact on athletes’ performance, mental well-being, and overall holistic development in the realm of sports and physical activity.
Patient Care
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Intro to Pathophysiology A & B
Capstones: Administrative Medical Assistant A & B
The Patient Care Pathway is a rigorous and holistic program designed to prepare students for various careers within the health sector. Beginning with foundational knowledge in human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, students will explore specialized areas such as diagnostics, treatment protocols, and patient care. Alongside this, students will learn about medical ethics, healthcare systems, and the legal aspects of medicine. The pathway also includes training in critical soft skills such as patient communication, empathy, and teamwork, which are vital for any healthcare professional. Additionally, students will gain experience through simulated scenarios, preparing them for real-world medical environments. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are equipped with the scientific knowledge, Technical skills, and compassionate mindset required to excel in the healthcare field. Please be aware that this course on anatomy, physiology, and diseases involves a detailed study of the human body and various medical conditions. Some content, including descriptions and images of body systems, diseases, and disorders, might be graphic and may not be suitable for some students.
Visual Arts
Intro Courses: N/A
Concentrators: CTE Drawing A & CTE Beginning Painting A
The Visual Arts Pathway explores drawing techniques, emphasizing the understanding of form, perspective, and shading. Students will gain confidence in precision in sketching, and apply basic color theory and application with acrylics. This pathway introduces students to complex techniques in oil painting, and cultivates students’ abilities to develop compositions in various themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Students can meet these standards while taking Adventure CTE courses and also gain relevant industry experience! Stay tuned as Elite will be offering integrated CTE/Core academics as well!
Examples of Industry Certifications students can earn while completing their High School Diploma:
WFR – Wilderness First Responder
A week-long course designed to teach essential wilderness medicine and to administer care in a wilderness environment. Certification lasts 3 years.
WFA – Wilderness First Aid
Typically used as a stepping stone for the WFR, this first aid training teaches how to treat common wilderness injuries. Certification lasts 2 years.
CPR/AED- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & Automated Electronic Defibrillator
Standard procedure for resuscitation and use of an AED.
ASA Small Boat Sailing License
An in-depth course designed to prepare skippers to single and double-hand small dinghies.
Challenge Course Certification – Level 1
Practitioner certification to lead groups through low-risk challenge course features.
Students have two opportunities during the first learning period of our Year Round program:
LifeSail – Sailing Community Partnership _See Our Year Round Track Option under the “Academics” tab!
Freedom Surf – Surfing Community Partnership _See Our Year Round Track Option under the “Academics” tab!
The Adventure Academy’s focus is to create a sense of purpose in the outdoor community and prepare you with the skills that employers in the outdoor industry desire. Continuing your education and refining your specialization will only increase your opportunities for employment and progression. Not to mention, we have a lot of fun!
- Leadership: teamwork and comradery are essential skills to a successful group adventure.
- Communication: become an outstanding communicator by practicing presentation and speaking skills with our piers.
- Entrepreneurship: learn what it would be like to run your own guiding business.
- Decision Making: outdoor experiences are a very real way to observe the outcome of decision.
- Preparedness & Accountability: forgetting something essential can be detrimental to a trip and teaches ownership of our mistakes. Learn how to pack and plan accordingly for your adventures, from food preparation to gear selection.
- Survival skills: understand what it takes to survive without the comforts of civilization.
- Specialization: hone your skills to become a pro in a number of disciplines, such as surfing, sailing, paddlesports, mountain biking or snowsports.
There are no prerequisite courses for the Adventure Academy, but just like athletics, you must have an annual fitness physical to ensure you are healthy and can participate in outdoor activities. Ambition, a good attitude and the willingness to try new things would be the best prerequisites.
The outdoor industry is vast, from medical first-responder positions to designing gear for top manufacturers and being a tour guide on an international adventure. If you have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy working with people, then a career in the Recreation Sector may be good for you.
Some field trip opportunities include:
PALI Institute – Wilderness Skills Outing
Mountain & Sea Adventures – White’s Landing Catalina Island Camp
Devil’s Punchbowl – Nature Area
Silverwood Lake – Paddlesports Weekend
Clear Creek Outdoor Education Center – Ecology and Biology Learning Center
Regardless of your skillset, we will get you up to speed and give you the information and knowledge to run with the rest of the pack. Besides, outdoor recreation is so much more than camping! We strive to expose students to a variety of outdoor experiences and encourage independent growth in the disciplines that students show an aptitude.
Building your quiver of equipment takes time and resources, but you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy the outdoors. We strive to make the outdoors accessible to everyone and focus on outings that don’t require families to spend excessive amounts of money. We have partnered with outdoor manufacturers to offer top-notch gear at affordable prices so you can start building a gear-bank. However, hygiene is very important and we suggest that you outfit yourself with a few items that are best kept to yourself: clothing, sleeping bags, personal care products, cutlery and dinner/cookware.
