Career Technology Center (CTC)
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Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) Overview
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) Overview
According to their website, CTC is a consortium of eight school districts, including Mid Valley, in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Region that provides instruction in over 20 different career areas. Their mission states that "CTC prepares all students for career pathways in the global marketplace by providing experiential learning with the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary education and employment opportunities that result in self-sufficiency or family-sustaining wages." You can continue reading for more information, but the most comprehensive information about CTC can be found on their website, which is linked below.
Mid Valley students can begin attending CTC as early as 10th grade, and continue through senior year, but preparation can begin as early as 5th grade! To learn more about CTC's relationship with Mid Valley, please continue reading below.
How CTC Works At Mid Valley
How CTC Works At Mid Valley
Each year, Mid Valley and other local schools are allotted a certain number of students to attend each of CTC's programs. Applying is a highly competitive process, and remaining as a student at CTC for three years requires dedication, consistency, and hard work. The application process targets 9th grade students who will begin attending in 10th grade, with the goal being that these students can be three year "program completers." There are circumstances where students can still be admitted to begin attending in 11th grade, however those students may not be able to complete all of the coursework that a CTC program requires. It is very rare for a student to begin CTC programming as a senior. Regardless of program or when a student begins attending CTC, all CTC students work from a task list associated with their program, earning certifications along the way.
During the application process, CTC focuses on three things: attendance, discipline, and academic performance. Applicants are scored in these three areas, and those with the highest scores are offered acceptance into their program of choice. Applicants may indicate up to 3 programs they would be interested in attending, and may be offered acceptance into any of the three depending on their score. Students who are not immediately accepted to a program may be placed on a waitlist in which their score is compared with applicants from other school districts. If students drop from programming or decline acceptance, waitlisted students are then considered. Because of this, students are strongly encouraged to be incredibly mindful of their grades, behavior, and attendance at Mid Valley!
Timeline
5th Grade: Mid Valley students in 5th grade attend a field trip to CTC where they are introduced to the types of programming available.
8th Grade: A representative from CTC comes to Mid Valley to share a presentation about CTC and what to look out for in the coming years.
October of 9th Grade: A representative from CTC returns to Mid Valley to provide an overview of CTC programming and the application process.
October/November of 9th Grade: All students attend a field trip to CTC where they take a tour through the building, visiting each program.
January/February of 9th Grade: Students attend classroom lessons with their school counselor that detail the application process for CTC, introduce CTC shadowing, and talk about what it means to be career ready.
February/March of 9th Grade: Student who wish to may attend a shadow day at CTC where they can see what a typical day is like for up to two programs. Shadowing students will take the AM CTC bus with current Mid Valley/CTC students, shadow their programs, and return to Mid Valley with the AM students.
Late February/March of 9th Grade: CTC applications are due.
March/April of 9th Grade: Mid Valley school counselors review applications and submit additional materials/recommendations to CTC. A committee at CTC then reviews applications and makes admissions decisions.
Late April/May of 9th Grade: A representative from CTC comes to Mid Valley to share admission decisions with students.
Summer between 9th & 10th Grade: Accepted students received a welcome packet with orientation information and materials needed to attend.
*Please note that the same process is available for 10th grade students to apply, but priority is given to students in 9th grade who can complete all CTC programming.*
CTC Programs
CTC Programs
The following programs are offered at CTC. Click the links below to learn more about each, or the button below to visit the CTC website.
Creative Communications, Digital Communications
Creative Communications, Illustration & Design
Creative Communications, Print Production Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Smart Systems & Engineering Technology
CTC FAQ
CTC FAQ
If I was accepted to CTC, when will I go there?
If I was accepted to CTC, when will I go there?
All first year CTC students attend in the AM session. The majority of students in their second and third year will attend the PM session. Please note that to maintain safety standards many CTC programs can only have a certain number of students in a class at a time. For this reason, each year certain programs may keep a second year CTC student back in the AM session. Typically, these are the students who have completed the least amount of their task lists. Students who are responsibly and successfully completing their work are generally able to move to the PM session.
How will I get to CTC?
How will I get to CTC?
Mid Valley provides transportation to and from CTC. Students who attend the AM session typically need to be at school by 7:45 AM, and the bus from Mid Valley departs at 7:50 AM. These students are then bussed back to Mid Valley by around 11:20 AM each day.
Students who attend the PM session may also be bussed. If they receive a parking permit from both Mid Valley and CTC, they may also be permitted to drive. Those who take the bus will leave Mid Valley at around 11:20 AM each day. Please note that because of CTC's dismissal time and distance from Mid Valley those who attend the PM session and take the bus will likely arrive home later than non-CTC students.
Will CTC interfere with sports, other extracurricular activities, and events that happen during the school day?
Will CTC interfere with sports, other extracurricular activities, and events that happen during the school day?
Mid Valley students who attend CTC are still able and encouraged to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at Mid Valley. PM CTC students who have after school practices or meetings may be slightly late depending on when the CTC bus returns. While coaches and advisors should be aware of this, these students are still strongly encouraged to have a conversation with them prior to the season.
For events during the school day - outside presentations, spirit week events, volleyball tournament, PBIS blowouts, etc. - CTC students may still attend. If they are occurring at a time when students are scheduled to be at CTC, they should speak with the main office secretaries at Mid Valley. They can be homeschool excused for a limited number of activities, but should pay close attention to the attendance requirements and their program progress at CTC before making the decision to stay.
When and where will I eat my lunch?
When and where will I eat my lunch?
Lunch is provided to all Mid Valley CTC students. Mindful scheduling takes place each year to determine if students will eat at CTC or at Mid Valley. Families of CTC students will be notified of this at the beginning of each school year.
Does CTC lead to other opportunities?
Does CTC lead to other opportunities?
YES! Students who attend CTC graduate from high school with real, concrete skills. Many form connections through their time at CTC that lead to full time employment in their field. In addition, depending on progress through task lists, students in 11th and 12th grade can apply for Co-Op, where they can work in their field, earning money and gaining experience while still in high school.
Can I still go to college if I attend CTC?
Can I still go to college if I attend CTC?
ABSOLUTELY! It is a very common misconception that students who attend CTC cannot go to college. Many CTC students (nearly 50% according to CTC surveys) complete their programming and then go on to 2-year or 4-year college - some continuing in similar programs that they studied in high school and some for entirely different programs. Some CTC programs even offer opportunities for Dual Enrollment credit and AP exams.
Colleges want students who are marketable and diverse. By attending CTC, students gain real skills and experience that set them apart from other college applicants.
Will my graduation requirements change if I attend CTC?
Will my graduation requirements change if I attend CTC?
No. All Mid Valley graduates earn 23 credits toward graduation. CTC earns students 3 elective credits per year. Students will work closely with their school counselor to ensure that the courses they are taking at Mid Valley will allow them to earn the credits they need to graduate.
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