At San Diego Unified School District, our College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) programs empower all students with real-world skills, immersive hands-on learning, and industry-aligned opportunities that help them thrive in college, career, and beyond. Through a wide range of career pathways such as health science, engineering, digital media, business, and the arts, students gain valuable experience that connects classroom learning to the real world. CCTE courses support students in exploring their interests, building confidence, and preparing for life after high school.
San Diego Unified currently offers 188 CTE courses across 29 career pathways in 13 industry sectors. In addition, students have access to 80 college courses through our College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) and Advanced College Placement (ACP) programs, expanding opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school.
We believe every student deserves access to meaningful learning opportunities that open doors to postsecondary education, high-wage careers, and lifelong success. Our department proudly serves the diverse students and families of San Diego Unified, and we are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.
CCTE Vision Statement
"Empowering all students with real-world skills, immersive hands-on learning, and industry-aligned opportunities to thrive in college, career, and beyond."
CCTE Mission Statement
"We support our vision of creating innovative career pathways by providing hands-on, project-based learning experiences that align with workforce demands. Through strong industry partnerships, relevant and rigorous curriculum, meaningful professional development, and beneficial technical training, we prepare students for success in college, career, and life."
School: Hoover High School
Teacher: Jack Wetzel
Over the weekend of March 21–22, students from Hoover High School’s FIRST Robotics team, 8870 The Red Cards, competed at Francis Parker School alongside teams from across the region.
The team delivered an impressive performance, finishing the competition ranked 18th overall and advancing to the playoff rounds for the first time in program history. They went on to place 5th in the playoffs, marking their highest competition finish to date.
Beyond the rankings, what stood out most was the team’s growth throughout the season. Students demonstrated strong collaboration, problem-solving, and perseverance as they designed, built, and refined their robot in preparation for competition. Their ability to adapt, learn from challenges, and continue improving reflects the core of what College, Career, and Technical Education is all about.
Experiences like this connect classroom learning to real-world applications, giving students the opportunity to develop technical skills while also building confidence, teamwork, and resilience. For many students, this competition represents not just a milestone, but...
Continue reading in CCTE News and Events...
School: Crawford High School
Teachers: Raymond Beattie & Larry Engelbrecht
San Diego Unified’s College, Career, and Technical Education programs are designed to connect students to meaningful, real-world opportunities. This CCTE Program Spotlight highlights the Law Academy at Crawford High School, a pathway that introduces students to the legal system while building confidence, leadership skills, and college and career readiness.
For middle school students who enjoy debating ideas, analyzing current events, or standing up for what is right, Crawford’s Academy of Law offers a supportive and engaging environment to explore those...
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School: Taft Middle School
Teacher: Cara White - Gateway to Technology
This week, Taft Middle School hosted its first-ever Rocket Invitational, welcoming 320 elementary students from six feeder schools for an unforgettable hands-on STEAM experience.
At the heart of the event was a powerful teach-and-lead model. Taft’s middle school Rocket Ambassadors stepped into leadership roles, mentoring younger students as they designed, built, launched, and analyzed model rockets. Over two days, students explored engineering concepts, data collection, teamwork, and creative design while gaining a firsthand look at...
Continue reading in CCTE News and Events...