Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers students a wide range of opportunities to explore career pathways in environments designed to meet the needs of every learner. As students prepare to enter a highly competitive workforce, they must be equipped with 21st-century skills, technical expertise, and a strong foundation in core academics to be both career and college-ready.

With a focus on real-world, problem-based learning and practical life skills, we aim to give all students the exposure they need to graduate from Winchester Public Schools prepared for the next steps in life. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing students immersed in projects that ignite their curiosity and passion. From carpentry and welding to medical labs and materials processing, our hands-on courses are aligned with rigorous industry and academic standards to ensure success in their future endeavors.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses and Completers

A CTE Completer is a student who has earned two or more standard high school credits for state-approved courses in a CTE concentration and meets the requirements for high school graduation. A concentration is a coherent sequence of two or more courses within a program area as defined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Completer courses can be found in the course descriptions.

To view the full list of VDOE course completers, click here. 

High-Quality Work-Based Learning

High-Quality Work-Based Learning (HQWBL) consists of school-coordinated workplace experiences related to student’s career goals and/or interests,  integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations. WBL experiences allow students to apply and refine knowledge, attitudes, and skills through professionally coordinated and supervised work experience directly related to career goals. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognizes 11 types of WBL experiences, and certain experiences are eligible for high school credit. The table, below, provides an overview of the types of learning experiences. 

 * See the Test for Unpaid Interns and Students, Fact Sheet #71: Internship programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.   

Industry Credentials Opportunities

Industry credentials give students the opportunity to earn certifications that are recognized by employers and demonstrate the skills they acquired in high school. These credentials should be included on a student's resume when applying for future jobs.