Visit, apply and accept

Each fall, CTE visits 10th grade students to inform them about the 30 CTE programs offered at HCPS' three Advanced Career Education Centers. All 10th graders are able to visit the ACE Centers, apply to enroll in a program in their junior and senior years, and accept the offer to take one a program if chosen. All programs are about preparing students for college and careers. Every class provides one or a combination of college credits, industry certifications or state licenses.

Students can visit HCPS' three ACE Centers and talk to teachers and students in programs to see if they are a good fit. Visitation forms are provided to each visiting student. It is not mandatory for a student to visit ACE Centers. The visitation forms must be signed by a parent or guardian to get permission for them to leave school for half the day for each of the schools they visit. Visiting is not a commitment to enroll. The opportunities give students as much information as they need about HCPS CTE programs. Think of CTE classes as "super electives," especially since they take the place of three traditional electives. That means one CTE class is the equivalent of three high school electives. One class, three credits, three grades on your high school report card.

Once students have visited and investigated up to four programs, they are ready to apply for one of the programs that best fit their personal, college or career goals. The application is showing each student’s commitment to attend one of our one- or two-year programs. After Jan. 1, teachers of these programs determine who they think will be the best students for their programs.

In early spring, students start receiving letters asking if they will accept their offfers to attend an ACE Center program. Please accept and start preparing yourself for a successful future!