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8-22-19 — Educational, Career Opportunities Available to High School Students
Aug. 22, 2019 ~ The Olathe Public Schools offers a comprehensive high school learning experience for all students, however, more than a quarter of secondary students are taking advantage of the four-year 21st Century Academies, the two-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or the offerings available through a comprehensive education at any high school.
As education isn’t “one size fits all,” options are available for students soon-to-be entering high school. Students are able to investigate the educational pathway that best suits their interests and targeted pursuits upon high school graduation.
High School Options
Comprehensive High School and CTE
Roughly 75 percent of students in the Olathe Public Schools have identified a comprehensive high school experience as the best educational approach for themselves. Students follow the feeder pattern set forth by elementary, middle and high school boundaries and attend the high school that is identified as their home school. Each high school has options for CTE pathway courses where students can elect to explore careers they are interested in.
Two-Year CTE Programs
Six pathways are offered to high school juniors and seniors through the Olathe Advanced Technical Center. (Visit the OATC website) These pathways are career focused and are considered high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers. Through professional learning experiences and options for earning a degree in three years, students leave high school with many certifications and generally leave high school with a job offer or earn additional industry certifications leading to a career. Students still attend their home high school, but attend these programs for a half day. These programs include Auto Collision, Auto Technology, Aviation Electronics, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Health Care and Nursing, and Welding. Students can also take a block course to earn a certificate as a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA). The OATC will host an open house in October.
21st Century Academies
Olathe offers 15 different 21st Century Academies. (Visit the academies website) Each academy is located at a single Olathe high school. Students have the option to apply for up to two academies and if accepted, students transfer to the school that hosts their desired academy. These academies are four years in length and allow college-focused students to build upon their interests while gaining specific knowledge toward their desired career field. Academies include Animal Health, BIOengineering, Business Finance, Civic Leadership, Computer Science, Design, Distinguished Scholars, e-Communication, Engineering, Future Educators, Geoscience, Green Tech, Medical Professions, Public Safety, and Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. All academies will host open houses in October and November.
Learn More
Planning for high school is an exciting time in students’ lives. To help explain options available to students, each middle school will host a High School Options Parent Presentation night. Parents of eighth-grade students are welcome to attend any of the presentations to learn more about their student’s available options.
All presentations are from 6-7:15 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Frontier Trail
- Oct. 1 at California Trail
- Oct. 2 at Mission Trail
- Oct. 3 at Santa Fe Trail
- Oct. 7 at Chisholm Trail
- Oct. 8 at Prairie Trail
- Oct. 9 at Oregon Trail
- Oct. 14 at Indian Trail
- Oct. 16 at Summit Trail
- Oct. 21 at Pioneer Trail
Additional information is available on the College and Career Readiness high school options webpage.