Career and Life Studies   

Adulting in the 21st Century

Course #: OT331     Grades: 11, 12     Credits: .5     Length: Semester     Expectation Level: 3    Prerequisite: None

Adulting in the 21st Century aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn and practice basic life skills. Topics may include, but are not limited to: 

• Digital Citizenship (personal branding, social media footprints, online resumes)

• Nutrition & Meal Preparation (planning meals; following recipes; using kitchen appliances, gadgets and measurement tools)

• Household Maintenance & Safety (power outage survival, Internet of Things devices and privacy, laundry, cleaning, basic mending, basic plumbing solutions)

• Social interactions (phone skills, formal emails, job interviews, making appointments, dressing for work) 

• College Success (time management, self-care, living with roommates, living independently)

• Basic day-to-day skills (changing flat tires, checking oil, registering vehicles, mailing letters and packages via snail mail, signing one’s name in cursive)

Texts and Materials: Laptop

Expectations: Students are expected to participate in class activities and complete regular homework assignments.

Career and Technical Education

Grades: 10-12     Credits: varies     Length: varies

Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities are available for Scarborough High School students through the facilities at both Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (WRVC) and Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS). The following is a sample list of the fields in which students may choose to specialize through currently available CTE programs:

When comparable programs exist at both schools, Scarborough students are required to attend WRVC. Under this program, students may receive intensive training in one of a number of specialized trades or occupations. Graduation requirements are the same for this program as for all other SHS programs.

Students enrolled in a CTE program at either WRVC or PATHS will continue to take core academic courses at Scarborough High School. Some CTE programs may be eligible for integrated academic credit and can be awarded once the program is reviewed by SHS core content department chair, principal, guidance counselor, and SPHS curriculum director. In general, students will spend half of the school day in their CTE program and half of the day at Scarborough High School. Completion of any CTE courses should result in the student being capable of entering the workforce and continuing their education in these fields. The Town of Scarborough pays the tuition costs for CTE for students. Students attending CTE programs are required to ride on Scarborough buses to and from their CTE campus. All CTE programs are generally taught over a two-year sequence, and thus aimed at accepting students for their junior and senior years; sophomores who are interested may be considered for these programs provided they are in good academic standing. Additionally, under certain circumstances, seniors may be admitted to particular programs. Students interested in a CTE program should see their school counselor or the career pathways coordinator for more information.

Extended Learning Opportunities Program  

Course #: OT230 Grades: 10-12   Credits: varies   Length: varies    Expectation Level: 3  

Prerequisite: Learning plan approved by career pathways coordinator

The Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) program provides students an opportunity to earn elective credits in a subject area of choice. ELOs are customized learning experiences that look different from student to student, however, they offer students safe, structured, and engaged learning opportunities outside of a traditional course and/or the school day. ELOs can include experiences such as job shadows, internships, informational meetings, independent studies or teacher assistant placements, and they ultimately support and complement the learning taking place through their traditional classroom experiences. From astronomy to photography, accounting to veterinary science, ELO credit is earned in a student’s field of interest through completing an established learning plan that includes goals, summary of site plan/hands-on experience as well as tasks/deliverables. 

A learning team comprised of a student, mentor and/or teacher, and the career pathways coordinator creates a learning plan that is informed by learning targets and activities relevant to 21st Century Skills. All learning plans are reviewed by a team of student services members, including guidance counselors and career pathways coordinator, before receiving final approval from the school principal. Interested students are asked to contact the career pathways coordinator or their school counselor for more information.

Text and materials: ELO learning plan

Expectations: Strong independent work habits, time management and communication skills, evidence of initiative, curiosity, and self-motivation

Internship Program

Course #: OT330   Grades: 11,12   Credits: 1 per semester   Expectation Level: 3                       

The Internship Program provides an opportunity for students to earn graduation credits while attending an internship with a local business or organization for three hours every other school day. Students are connected with internship opportunities that complement their interests and work closely with a mentor in the professional organization. The program allows students to learn first-hand about a career that interests them and engage in authentic work experiences in the real world. At their worksites, students are responsible for tasks, learn skills and work on projects under the supervision of a mentor.

Throughout the semester, students attend a seminar course at the high school that builds upon and reinforces the skills and knowledge needed to complete their internship and develop career readiness. Students establish learning goals and submit weekly reflections about their internship experiences. Routine site visits by the instructor and evaluations by their mentor will be conducted. Students present their work and learning at the conclusion of each semester in an exhibition at the high school that showcases each student’s work in the internship program. The presentation is a final reflection on their experiential learning and is attended by fellow classmates, parents, mentor, advisor, teachers, and others in the school community.

Expectations: Strong communication, time-management and organization skills, high level of personal initiative, interest in professional workplace experience

For more information, including a list of past internship hosts, please visit the Internship Program page.

Personal Finance: Your Money    

Course #: IT137   Grades: 10-12   Credits: .5*   Length: Semester   Expectation Level: 3  

Prerequisite: None

Personal Finance: Your Money builds awareness of and knowledge about everyday financial topics and decisions around them and emphasizes the importance of building a sound financial foundation. Students are encouraged to embrace financial literacy while learning about real-world topics such as, but not limited to: budgeting and saving, choosing and balancing a checking account, managing credit/debit cards, using online banking, paying taxes, investing, finding a job, finding an apartment, buying a car, buying a home, investing for retirement, and getting insurance.

Text and materials: None

Expectations: Students learn key personal financial skills and demonstrate competence in an online simulated world; understand the importance of financial literacy; realize the importance of starting a savings plan at an early age; develop knowledge of financial topics that are important now and in the future; and learn how to write checks and keep proper checking/banking/financial records.

* Personal Finance is NOT counted as a Technology Credit. It does qualify as an elective, however.