FORGE is a program that provides a well-rounded continuum of educational experiences that are infused with opportunities for career exploration and preparation to help students forge confidently towards their future goals. Active learning is embedded throughout our courses, providing hands-on and real-life experiences that are designed to help develop the Iowa Core Universal Constructs that are essential for success in today’s world.  

Our FORGE program is focused on a school-business partnership that is designed to provide students with valuable learning experiences that develop core competencies focused on college and career success. Most of our program course offerings allow students to explore a specific career of interest as they move into their junior and senior year of high school. 

We have established a FORGE continuum in an effort to encapsulate all work-based learning/career focused opportunities our school provides. This creates a work-based learning collaborative culture within our school amongst our curriculum areas that are working towards the same type of career focused goal. 

FORGE Coalition 

Coalition represents our collaborative approach to career readiness.  At the Coalition level, students can find specialized courses from our Career and Technical Education and iJAG programs, which offer a mix of academic and practical learning experiences. These offerings play a crucial role in our FORGE continuum and overall holistic approach to student preparation. 

Courses: 

• I-JAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates)

• Career & Technical Education

Agriculture 

• • Plant & Soil Science

  • Animal Science

  • Natural Resources

  • Vet Science

  • Food Science

  • Landscape Design

  • Agriculture Business

     Family & Consumer Science

• Foods

• Baking

• Prep & Production

    Business & Marketing

• Accounting

• Business

• Finance

• Marketing

• Sports & Entertainment Marketing

    Industrial Technology

• Engineering

• Manufacturing

• Electricity

• Material Processing Technology

FORGE Advance

The Advance level of the continuum allows students to learn through collaborative, project-based learning where learners create a product(s). Learners at this level apply academic learning and refine competency skills. Students also explore careers in their area of interest, expanding their network and learning through doing.  

Course: 

• Authentic Collaborations in Action (ACA)

FORGE Mastery

This is the highest level of skill attainment and application within FORGE. Courses offered at the Mastery level of the continuum are career specific focused courses.

Courses: 

• FORGE Internship

• SWCC Career Academies & Pathways 

FORGE Coalition 

Coalition represents our collaborative approach to career readiness.  At the Coalition level, students can find specialized courses from our Career and Technical Education and iJAG programs, which offer a mix of academic and practical learning experiences. These offerings play a crucial role in our FORGE continuum and overall holistic approach to student preparation. 

I-JAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates)

This is a career exploration and preparation opportunity that provides a hands-on approach to exploring personal strengths and weaknesses. Students will work to build strengths in academic areas, time management, learn about personality and temperament, understand communication models for personal and career use, identify values and understand the relationship between personal actions and consequences that follow. Students will make connections to their career interests, abilities and aptitudes by determining their education and career goals. Students will be able to demonstrate core competency attainment. This full-year, credited course involves individual assignments, team activities/projects, service learning opportunities, guest speakers, field trips (including a couple to state I-JAG events in Des Moines), and career exploration through various opportunities. Students will also participate in the I-JAG Career Association in various activities. 

This course is intended to be taken through senior year. Limit 50 students per year.

Career & Technical Education

Our CTE offerings are carefully curated to expose students to various career fields, fostering a hands-on learning experience that goes beyond traditional classrooms. In these courses, students delve into real-world scenarios and industry-specific challenges, gaining valuable insights and practical expertise. The purpose is clear: to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, preparing students for success in their chosen careers. Whether exploring technology, healthcare, business, or other fields, our CTE courses empower students to make informed career choices, develop relevant skills, and cultivate a passion for lifelong learning. 

**If you click on the link to any of the CTE areas listed in BLUE below, you will be directed to our official course handbook that includes course descriptions for all CTE courses. 

Agriculture

Plant & Soil Science

Animal Science

Natural Resources

Vet Science

Food Science

Landscape Design

Agriculture Business

Family & Consumer Science

Foods

Baking

Prep & Production

Business & Marketing

Accounting

Business

Finance

Marketing

Sports & Entertainment Marketing

Industrial Technology

Engineering

Manufacturing

Electricity

Material Processing Technology

FORGE Advance

The Advance level of the continuum allows students to learn through collaborative, project-based learning where learners create a product(s). Learners at this level apply academic learning and refine competency skills. Students also explore careers in their area of interest, expanding their network and learning through doing.  

Authentic Collaborations in Action (ACA)

Elective Course: 1 Semester     

Grade: 11 & 12           

Prerequisite: Application (includes recommendation from 2 teachers) 

CAP: 15 Students

This course allows students to select projects that align with their interests. Students select projects from a project board and work collaboratively with participating businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations on these authentic projects. Meetings with other ACA students are held to discuss progress and allow for collaboration. Projects are developed under the supervision of our WBL coordinator and teacher, Mrs. Erickson. Students will also explore fields of interest while developing research skills, professionalism, and building occupational knowledge. Businesses submit a project idea for this class and students choose projects to complete according to their interests. 

FORGE Mastery

This is the highest level of skill attainment and application within FORGE. Courses offered at the Mastery level of the continuum are career specific focused courses.

FORGE Internship

Elective Course: 1 Semester 

Credits: 2     

Grade: 12       

Prerequisite: Application (includes required recommendations)

***Students must apply in the spring of their junior year and complete all necessary paperwork to be considered. 

CAP: 15 Students

Official Acceptance is conditional upon:

• Successful completion of a course listed on the FORGE program continuum

• Recommendation from three teachers

• Submission of signed parent/guardian agreements

• Submission of confidentiality statements 

• Completion of preliminary interview with Work-Based Learning Coordinator

• Excellent attendance during the junior year

• Submission of satisfactory discipline evaluations 

• A history of quality academic performance relative to the student’s career interest

• Available space in the student’s schedule

• Internship availability and acceptance by the business partner

• Interns must provide transportation to and from the internship and may need to supply workplace appropriate attire

• Employers may require drug tests, health screening, background checks and credit examinations. Failure to pass drug tests, dishonest actions, poor attendance, or questionable behavior would result from the student being removed from this class. 

FORGE internship/mentorship course combines essential career ready skills with supervised learning on the job. The in-class portion focuses on future plans and goals, career and post-secondary research, job-seeking skills, and networking. The job-site provides students with practical work experience as well as training and networking with community business partners.  Students in FORGE Internship/Mentorship will have the opportunity to earn 2 HS credits each semester they are enrolled in this course

SWCC Career Academies & Pathways 

(More information will be added soon!)

The Career Academies and Pathways provided through a collaboration with SWCC help prepare students for an exciting and rewarding career in various areas and earn credits towards certain certifications. 

• Criminal Justice

• Education

• Information Technology System and Networking

• Nursing

• Welding Technology

Students interested in the Authentic Collaborations in Action Course need to: 

• Be a junior or senior enrolled in high school.

• Embrace the power of collaborative efforts among education, businesses, and the community.

• Strive to enhance the success of our partnering businesses by adding value.

• Embrace innovation and remain open to exploring new opportunities.

• Have a keen interest in teamwork and tackling real-world challenges through project-based learning.

• Exhibit professionalism and adhere to industry-specific ethical standards and dress codes.

• Engage in off-campus learning experiences and collaborations with our business partners.

• Be responsible for arranging personal transportation to and from off-site activities.

Official Acceptance to the Internship/Mentorship course is conditional upon:

• Must be a senior enrolled in high school.

• Successful completion of a course listed in the FORGE program continuum.

• Recommendation from two teachers.

• Submission of signed parent/guardian agreements. 

• Submission of confidentiality statements.

• Completion of preliminary interview with Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Mrs. Erickson.

• Excellent attendance during the junior year.

• Submission of satisfactory discipline evaluations. 

• A history of quality academic performance relative to the student’s career interest.

• Available space in the student’s schedule.

• Internship availability and acceptance by the business partner.

• Must provide transportation to and from the internship and may need to supply workplace appropriate attire.

• Employers may require drug tests, health screening, background checks and credit examinations. Failure to pass drug tests, dishonest actions, poor attendance, or questionable behavior would result from the student being removed from this class. 

Students interested in the Internship/Mentorship course also need to: 

• Embrace the power of collaborative efforts among education, businesses, and the community.

• Strive to enhance the success of our partnering businesses by adding value.

• Embrace innovation and remain open to exploring new opportunities.

• Have a keen interest in teamwork and tackling real-world challenges through project-based learning.

• Exhibit professionalism and adhere to industry-specific ethical standards and dress codes.

• Engage in off-campus learning experiences and collaborations with our business partners.

• Be responsible for arranging personal transportation to and from off-site activities.

Whether you have a clear vision of your future career path or are still exploring your options, our Authentic Collaborations in Action and Internship courses offer an invaluable opportunity to delve into your passions. By acquiring essential professional skills applicable to diverse fields of study, you'll gain the confidence to select projects and internships tailored to your interests. Additionally, these and other courses that are a part of the FORGE continuum, facilitate access to job shadowing experiences aligned with your career aspirations.