KCSD Elementary Lead the Way master nat open.mp4

Career Exploration and Discovery

Beginning in our early grades, students begin to be exposed to various high-demand career fields though the Project Lead the Way Curriculum (PLTW). Students in grades K-5 participate in the PLTW Launch program. Through this program they are immersed in hands-on activities that expose students to computer science, engineering, biomedical sciences, and more.

Career Investigation

Once students are in Middle School, students begin taking in-depth courses utilizing Project Lead the Way curriculum. Within the Middle School Curriculum students are introduced to real world problems within a variety of areas. Additionally, students develop skills that they will be able to apply to their high school career pathways.

Courses Offered at Each School

KCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL Lead the Way .mp4

Automation and Robotics

Computer Science (App Creators and Innovation & Makers)

Design and Modeling

Medical Detectives

Design and Modeling

Flight and Space

Medical Detectives

Computer Science (App Creators and Innovators & Makers)

Design and Modeling

Automation and Robotics

Computer Science (App Creators and Innovation & Makers)

Design and Modeling

Flight and Space

Green Architecture

Energy and the Environment

Magic of Electrons

Medical Detectives

Career Readiness Learning

Utilizing the information gained from career exploration within Elementary and Middle School and in reviewing their Individual Learning Plans, high school students are able to select courses that allow them to engage in Career Ready Learning. Student course work within individual career pathways allows students to gain the skills and industry certifications that allow them to be career ready and highly marketable within high demand career sectors.

KCSD Career Pathways

KCSD Career Technical Partnership Programs

KCSD has partnered with several post-secondary institutions to provide instruction in certain vocation fields. Each area is a two year, half day program which is open to juniors and seniors. Students are able to earn college credits and earn industry certifications. Please see your high school counselor for additional information,

Students that are interested in taking classes in a CTE area not listed (welding, Deisel Mechanic, Nursing, IT, etc) should see their high school counselor to learn about additional opportunities.

Gateway Community & Technical College

Automotive Engineering Pathway

Construction Technology/ Building Maintenance

Enzweiler Building Institute

Construction Trades Pathway

Career and Industry Certifications

What are Career and Industry Certifications?

Students at all KCSD High Schools are able to gain industry certifications at the conclusion of various courses of study. Industry Certifications are a valuable tool for students to enter the workforce with work ready knowledge, skills, and dispositions. By obtaining an industry certification, students have a great start on their career goals and increase their marketability to potential employers.

Career and Technical Education End-of-Program Assessments

Career and Technical Education End-of-Program (CTE EOP) Assessments for Articulated Credit is one measure of career readiness as a postsecondary readiness indicator for Kentucky’s accountability system. CTE EOP Assessments are state developed assessments based upon clear and concise standards identified by Kentucky employers, aligned with CTE career pathways. Students are eligible to take an EOP once they have completed two credits in an approved CTE Pathway. Students that pass the EOP can receive college credit through statewide articulation agreements with postsecondary partners.

KCSD Work-Based Learning Experiences

Upon completion of career pathway course work or through identification within their individual learning plan, students are encouraged to participate in work-based learning experiences that will enable students to gain valuable career experience. Kenton County School District offers experiences in Information Technology, Nursing, and English Language Mentors.

Intern Technology master 2.mp4

KCSD Nursing Internship Video

Work Ready Skills

Each student in elementary, middle, and high school receives essential workplace ethics instruction that includes a wide variety of skills that includes, but is not limited to:

Adaptability, including an openness to learning and problems solving, an ability to embrace new ways of doing things, and a capability for critical thinking:
Diligence, including seeing a task through to completion;
Initiative, including taking appropriate action when needed without waiting for direct instruction.
Knowledge, including exhibiting an understanding of work-related information, the ability to apply that understanding to a job, and effectively explain the concepts to colleagues in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and technology as require by the job;
Reliability, including showing up on time, wearing appropriate attire, self-control, motivation, and ethical behavior;
Remaining drug free; and
Working well with other, including effective communication skills, respect for different points of view and diversity of coworkers, the ability to cooperate and collaborate, enthusiasm, and the ability to provide appropriate leadership to or support for colleagues.

At the beginning of their senior year, seniors are informed of the opportunity to earn the Essential Workplace Certificate which signifies their demonstration of their work readiness upon completion of their high school career. Seniors can submit this form to their school's College and Career Coordinator.

Career Exploration Videos