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Labor market information suggests that careers in Health Care, Manufacturing, Service, and Hospitality are the fastest growing career fields in our area. The Fall Creek School District provides students with the opportunity to participate in Youth Apprenticeships, School to Work and Transcripted Credit in these fields. Fall Creek offers many industry certifications that better prepare the students for the workforce.
Students are provided with information and guidance to make informed decisions regarding their educational and career path whether their career goals are leading to an in-demand career area or a unique, narrow occupational area. Through the utilization of Xello, career exploration events, self-assessment and transcripted credit course-work the Fall Creek School District prepares students for life beyond high school in a variety of ways.
All high school Freshmen have a mentoring program throughout the year. All Freshmen and Sophomores take the Pre-ACT Secure as preparation for the ACT. The Juniors visit a college fair as well as prepare for the ACT which helps decipher their paths for the future. Seniors apply for financial aid and have done a variety of community service to help engage them in active community citizenship. Seniors also complete a Capstone Project to explore a career or future area of interest and present to a community panel.
Fall Creek High School is a leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE), offering a variety of programs that prepare students for in-demand careers. The school's CTE programs are divided into three categories: Agriculture, Business and Information Technology, and Technology and Engineering.
Agriculture
Fall Creek Agriculture department puts an emphasis on the science of agriculture. Mrs. Loewenhagen, the Agricultural Instructor, seeks out professional development that enhances the program including being a National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador and CASE (Curriculum for Agriculture Science Educators) Certified Instructor in Agriculture Explore, Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, Plant Science, and Animal Science. This was embraced throughout the remodeling process of the school creating a functional classroom space and laboratory area that includes a small animal room. The agriculture program offers a variety of different agricultural related pathways teaching the industry relevant curriculum through hands-on and inquiry based education. Throughout the 18 courses offered, students have the opportunities to utilize scientific and industry used equipment. Two courses, Horticulture and Vet Science, have been aligned to the science standards, meeting the needs of our students in receiving science electives. In addition, the Veterinary Science Course has been transcribed with Chippewa Valley Technical College to count as 3 Animal Science College Credits.
It is important in Fall Creek to utilize the three circle model of Agriculture Education offering industry leading classroom instruction with real world lab experiences. All students have the opportunity to participate in FFA and participate in Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events that have a direct tie to the classroom instruction. Students are also highly encouraged to have an SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) in which students obtain work or establish an entrepreneurship opportunity within the Agriculture Industry, which has been the basic guide to every high school senior’s High School Capstone Project.
The agriculture program also offers a job based curriculum to help our students gain and keep employment. The curriculum includes the opportunity for Work Based Learning meeting the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Youth Apprenticeship Program getting employment skill certifications. Junior Achievement Skills Success and Titan Programs are also implemented in the Work Based Curriculum to hear from Industry Professionals the employment skills that are essential in the workplace.
Business and Information Technology
Business & Information Technology (BIT) Education prepares students for careers related to business, technology, finance, management, and much more. BIT content focuses on topics that affect every member of society, including preparing individuals to own or operate their own business, and how to be successful members of our American Enterprise system. Fall Creek has two BIT educators that have developed and continue to grow a comprehensive business program. Transcripted credit, via Chippewa Valley Technical College, is provided in the following BIT courses: Accounting, Desktop Publishing, Microsoft Office Suite, and Personal Finance. When students take Information Processing, they have the potential to get MOS Certified in Word 2019.
One of the more successful additions to our Business and Information Technology course offerings has been the Cricket Store and the class called Cricket Merchandise that students can enroll. This student-run business concentrates on general Fall Creek Cricket Merchandise. The idea began back in the fall of 2019. The high school just completed a major renovation and was looking to greatly increase the availability of Cricket Merchandise for the Fall Creek Community. This course gives students the experience of operating a business. Students acquire skills in team building, marketing, merchandise designing, purchasing, pricing, and setting up displays. The students also learn about product photography, packaging, and shipping.
The physical store is located in the high school commons area and is open for many indoor events including most volleyball and basketball games. The highest sales events are the back-to-school night and music concerts throughout the year. The Cricket Store has been very successful over the last four years, averaging close to $20,000 in sales the last two years. The class also sells merchandise online through our website. Approximately 34% of our sales are online. Most of our orders ship within the extended Fall Creek area. We also receive online orders from outside the state of Wisconsin and we have shipped to 18 different states! Check out our website: gocricketsmerch.com
Technology and Engineering
Technology and Engineering Education prepares students for careers related to Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Transportation. With the focus on STEM, this CTE area applies the knowledge learned in science and math with hands-on real world applications. Currently the district was awarded a DWD Grant that focused on Manufacturing. Students are getting experiences in learning Industry 4.0 concepts along with robotic operation and programming.
The school district also invested in establishing a Fab Lab that is used by K-12 students. The Fab Lab has 3D printers, Laser Engravers, Vinyl cutter, Banner maker, CNC router and Plasma Cutter. Middle school students in grades 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th have many opportunities throughout the school to create their own learning in a program called Launch where students can get a jump start on learning design software, engineering concepts, and much more before they enter high school, so they are ready to navigate a career pathway.
Course offerings vary from year to year so that Fall Creek High School Students have a variety of classes to choose from while in high school. There are a few classes that also offer transcripted credit through Chippewa Valley Technical College. Those are, Welding, Intro to CAD 2d, and Intro to REVIT. Students are also able to earn Industry 4.0 Smart Automation Alliance Certifications by choosing coursework in Technology and Engineering.
Fall Creek Youth Apprenticeship
A Youth Apprenticeship is a one or two year “earn while you learn” program for high school juniors and seniors consisting of work and related classroom instruction in a chosen occupation. After completion of COOP Work Experience, a work skills course, training is received on-the-job where the employer teaches the skills of the occupation. This is augmented by taking courses that are related to that occupation. No matter what the youth apprentice decides to do after high school, they will be more prepared for success because of their apprenticeship!
Earning College Credit While In High School
In addition to the courses offered at Fall Creek High School, there are a variety of other CTE opportunities via Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Academies, such as welding, healthcare, construction, dental assistant, just to name a few. Fall Creek High School also participates in the Start College Now program (SCN), which allows students to earn college credit while still in high school. This program is a great way for students to get a head start on their college education. For more information on High School Academies and other opportunities to earn college credit while in high school:
The CTE programs at Fall Creek High School are a great way for students to prepare for a successful future. By gaining the skills and knowledge they need in high school, students can be well on their way to a rewarding career.
Communication with parents regarding Academic and Career Planning
The School District of Fall Creek School Counseling staff meets with students in 8th, and 11th grade and their parents. The School Counseling websites are another form of communication with parents and the community regarding ACP and Counseling programming.
The Cricket Chirp, a quarterly newsletter to all people in the district, get updates on classroom activities, upcoming events, and other district information.
Social media platforms are also used to share events, activities, and opportunities to the community. #gocrickets
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