Engineering and Technology Classes

9th-12th grades
Elective
One Semester
This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements and the credit toward the senior year math requirement.

This course is designed for students who are interested in careers in woodworking or who want to bring their woodworking skills up to a more sophisticated level. Students will gain experience in conventional machining, cabinetmaking, and finishing through individual projects.

More about Wood Manufacturing

Wood Manufacturing II

10th-12th grades
Elective
One Semester
Required background course: Wood Manufacturing I,
Recommended background course: CAD+
This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements and the credit toward the senior year math requirement.

This course is for students who have successfully completed Wood Manufacturing I and who are ready for more advanced woodworking techniques. Students will concentrate on an area of interest from Wood Manufacturing I and explore it in more depth using computer and numerical control wood manufacturing. Students who are interested can earn Nationally Recognized Industry Approved Credentials on Layout and Machines from the WCA as well as the Saw Blade Credential.

More about Wood Manufacturing II

Advanced Wood Manufacturing

10th-12th grades
Elective
Two Semesters
Required background course: Wood Manufacturing I & Wood Manufacturing II
Recommended background course: CAD+
This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements and the credit toward senior year math requirement.

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a wide variety of wood working skills through the production of difficult products. Students will learn to identify general safety rules, demonstrate proper use of stationary and portable power tools, safe use of hand tools, and advanced machine set up. Students will produce at least one major woodworking project that incorporates the objectives of the course. Students who are interested can continue to earn Nationally Recognized Industry Approved Credentials on Layout and Machines from the WCA, as well as the Saw Blade Credential.

More about Advanced Woods

Manufacturing Engineering Technology Courses:

MET (Manufacturing Engineering Technology) 1

9th-12th grades
Elective
Two Semesters
This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements and the credit toward the senior math requirement.
General Metals A must be successfully completed to continue taking advanced courses

General Metals provides the student with the opportunity to demonstrate machine and systems operations. Included are these areas of study: product development in sheet metal fabrication, wrought metal, milling, welding and the lathe work. In General Metals, students will produce projects in all areas and are encouraged to plan and produce individual products. A successful experience in this class is necessary to take advanced classes.

MET (Manufacturing Engineering, and Technology) 2

10th-12th grades
Elective
Year-long
Required background course: General Metals
Recommended background course, CAD+
This course meets the credit toward VPAA and senior math requirements.
Students can take multiple semesters. Recommended to create larger projects

Advanced Metals provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate and refine skills acquired in General Metals. Students design, build, market, and manufacture products using MIG & TIG welding technology, as well as working with Computer Numerically Controlled (C.N.C.) machines. Students who complete Advanced Metals and/or Metals Tech can be eligible for college credit from Grand Rapids Community College and will also have opportunities to work in local manufacturing companies.

Gone Boarding

12th grade
Elective
Two Semesters
This course meets the credit toward VPAA, Senior Math Experience, and Physical Education graduation requirements.
Students that have taken MET 1 (prior to the 2027/2028 school year, General Metals) will be given preference in this course.
Application process must be completed and student must be accepted into course.

This cross-curricular course integrates Physical Education, Industrial Technology, Math, and VPAA. Students will design, engineer, and build a snowboard, longboard, and either a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard while also developing the physical skills needed to ride them.

Semester 1:
The class runs as a 3-hour block, including time in the art room and metal shop. Students engage in engineering, machining, and fabrication work while applying real-world mathematical practices for college and career readiness. They will also begin developing the physical skills associated with snowboarding, longboarding, and surfing/stand-up paddling.

Semester 2:
The class continues as a 3-hour block focused on advanced engineering, fabrication, machine tools, and continued physical skills training for board sports.

Across both semesters, students experience the full product development process—from concept to final build—while also cultivating lifelong physical wellness habits. Basic supplies are provided; however, some individual projects may involve additional costs. Students are responsible for their own transportation to any off-site activities.

Note: The CAD + - Engineering - Architecture program is designed to provide students with the development of problem-solving strategies and teamwork concepts through the study of design processes. Students who successfully complete CAD+, 3D Mechanical CAD and/or Architectural CAD will receive college credit at the following institutions: Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Muskegon Community College, and Baker College. See the course instructor for details.

Introduction to CAD (Computer Aided Design)

9th-12th grades
Elective Course
One Semester
This class meets the 1 credit toward VPPA graduation requirement. (.5 credits per semester)
This class meets the 1 credit toward Senior math graduation requirement. (.5 credits per semester)
A successful completion of this course will lead to 3D MECHANICAL CAD (when offered) and ARCHITECTURAL CAD (when offered) classes

CAD + is a course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of drawing, blueprint reading, and the relationship of drawing to industry. Students will gain technical skills needed to bring conceptual ideas to life through sketching and computer aided design using the latest AutoCAD design software. Industry seeks individuals with skills in drafting, space analysis, and design communication. This class will be useful for the student interested in careers in any type of engineering, manufacturing, art, and design.

Architectural CAD

9th-12th grades
Elective
One semester (can be retaken as advanced)
Required background course: Introduction to CAD, or Introduction to Engineering Design, or 3d Mechanical CAD (When offered)
This class meets the 1 credit toward senior math graduation requirement. (.5 credits per semester)

Architectural CAD is a course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of residential, commercial, and industrial building design and construction. Students will work with AutoCAD Architectural software to create Floor, Foundation, Cross Sectional, Site Plot, Plumbing, and Electrical plans for estimation and construction. Industry standards in design and construction codes will be stressed. Students will also learn how to use AutoCAD Revit as a 3D modeling tool to create photo-real renderings of buildings and structures for marketing and sales.

Introduction to Engineering Design

9th-12th grades
Elective
Two semesters
This class meets the credit toward the senior math requirement
This class meets the general elective graduation requirement
This class meets the VPAA graduation requirement

In this Project Lead The Way Course, students are introduced to the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to identify and design solutions to a variety of real problems. They work both individually and in collaborative teams to develop and document design solutions using engineering notebooks and 3D modeling software.

Course Outline

Principles of Engineering

10th-12th grades
Elective
Two semesters
This class meets the credit toward the senior math requirement
Required background course: Introduction to Engineering and Design
This class meets the general elective credit graduation requirement

Through real-world problems that are engaging and challenging, students will explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem-solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. This course will help students discover interests and develop skills in growing fields in the global economy.

Computer Science Courses:

Python Fundamentals

9th-12th grades
Elective
One Semester
This course meets the .5 credit toward the senior math requirement

This course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of programming in Python. In one semester, students will learn variables, basic input/output operations, if/else statements, loops, and lists. The purpose of this course is to prepare students for more advanced programming courses or simply explore programming as a possible interest. Most students who have taken AP CS Principles or AP CS A would not need to take this course.

Advanced Python

9th-12th grades
Elective
One Semester
This course meets the .5 credit toward the senior math requirement
Prerequisite: Python Fundamentals, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A - Java, OR Previous Python Experience

The Advanced Python course focuses on projects using some of Python's most powerful features. Students will use Python to create projects that integrate with concepts in a variety of disciplines. The focus of this course is to learn specific features and commands in Python, and interested students should come to the class with a basic understanding of coding basics such as variables, lists, loops, and if/else statements.

AP Computer Science Principles

9th-12th grades
Elective
Full Year
This course meets the credit toward senior math requirement or an elective

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to a variety of topics in computer science. Despite being an AP class, it is designed to be a student's first experience in computer science - no prior computer courses or knowledge necessary. Students can expect to learn about programming and algorithms, the Internet, how computers work, data processing in the modern world, and the social impacts of computing. All of these topics are studied in the context of how computers can be used to solve human problems. Students are encouraged to explore these topics in computer science and see where their interests and skills might align with computer science.

AP Computer Science A - Java

10th-12th grades
Elective
Full Year
This course meets the credit toward senior math requirement or an elective

AP Computer Science A teaches students the programming language Java. No prior experience in Java is necessary, but students should be prepared for a fast-paced, rigorous curriculum that goes deeper than previous courses. Most students would benefit from taking either AP Computer Science Principles OR Python Fundamentals(previously called Coding and Programming in Python) OR Advanced Python prior to this course. Topics covered include computational problem-solving, data structures, algorithmic design, and code interpretation. Successful students in this class will leave with the ability to design solutions to a variety of computing problems. This course is analogous to a first-year college course in object-oriented computing.

AP Cybersecurity

9th-12th grades
Elective
Full Year
This course meets the credit toward senior math requirement.

AP Cybersecurity is a yearlong high school course that offers a broad introduction to the field and aligns closely with a college-level, introductory cybersecurity course. Students learn about common threats and vulnerabilities and how they combine to create risk. Students study how individuals and organizations manage risk and how risk can be mitigated through a defense-in-depth strategy. Students explore specific vulnerabilities, attacks, mitigations, and detection measures across a variety of domains including physical spaces, computer networks, devices, and data and applications. Throughout the course, students consider the impact of cybersecurity on individuals, organizations, societies, and governments. Content and skills taught in the course align with the professional skills outlined in the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Workforce Framework. 

Courses in our Academic Archive

The following courses are not currently offered: