Career Technical Education

Real World Skills

In Demand Careers

Relevant Equipment

Fun Learning Experiences

Relevant education for a lifetime

Career Technical Education (CTE) courses integrate academics in a rigorous and relevant curriculum while allowing students active career exploration. Students have the opportunity to choose a career pathway which will allow them to acquire real-life skills to prepare them for successful, continuing education or entry-level career positions.

CTE Pathways prepares our students to be future-ready by teaching them to leverage and maximize new technologies to solve tasks and workplace problems. Our students learn to become skillfully adaptable in communicating ideas, interacting with others, and engaging in experiential processes.

With various options ranging from Food Science to Welding, we encourage our students to ask their academic counselor for help finding the right pathway for them.

    What You Can Achieve

    Construction Technology Icon

    Industry-Based Technical Skills

    Biomedical

    Professional Workplace Experience

    Culinary Arts

    Acquire Industry Certifications

    Engineering

    College Credit

    manufacturing student

    Learn More About Pathways

    Career pathways allow students to begin their careers as part of a normal school day. Students may enroll in a career pathway, where their high school coursework will simultaneously include standard courses necessary to enroll in a university as well as career specific courses so they may begin building their professional network and skills in a supportive, constructive environment.

    Visit each school’s CTE page to learn more details about each pathway.

    CTE Pathways

    Each CTE Pathway is industry-focused and usually consists of 2-3 courses. The last course in the pathway is the capstone. When students complete a course they may receive college credit or receive an industry certificate. Click on each industry below to see details about the courses and outcomes.

    Audiovisual technology

    Audiovisual Tech Support
    (WHS)

    Health and medical

    Biotechnology
    (DHS, WHS)

    Construction

    Construction
    (WHS)

    Dance

    Dance & Choreography
    (DHS) 

    Education

    Education
    (DHS)

     

    Engineering

    Engineering
    (DHS, WHS)

     

    Film and video production

    Film & Video
    (DHS, WHS)

    Food science

    Food Science & Culinary Arts
    (DHS, WHS)

    Computer game programming

    Game Programming
    (DHS, WHS)

    Graphic design

    Graphic Design
    (DHS)

    Machining and manufacturing

    Machining & Forming
    (DHS, WHS)

    Make up artistry

    Makeup Artistry
    (WHS, CHS)

     

    Audiovisual

    Multimedia
    (DHS)

    Medical care

    Patient Care
    (DHS)

    Automotive

    Systems Diagnostic & Repair
    (DHS)

    Commercial arts

    Visual & Commercial Arts
    (DHS, WHS)

    Welding

    Welding
    (DHS, WHS, CHS)

    Additional Opportunities

    Besides pathways, there are extracurricular programs available that allow students to learn professional and practicable skills outside the classroom.

    Students may participate in competitions and symposiums or work in entry-level jobs to explore different interests and figure out where they want to take their career, and get professional assistance with building their resume or college application to help them work towards their dreams.

    Work Experience & Internships

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    Students take part in extensive, hands-on career readiness workshops, and then have the opportunity to work in a paid position for 6 weeks during the summer.

    College Admissions Academy

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    Students are assigned a coach and work together in groups to improve their college applications, especially the written essay section which can make or break a college application.

    Downey Unified Esports League

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    The real opportunity for students is behind the games, not playing them. Esports is a great vehicle to get students interested in game design, programming, and coding.

    Femineers Extracurriculars

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    The program provides students with project-based learning, mentorship from female STEM professionals, and opportunities to visit Cal Poly Pomona, building a community for current and future female STEM leaders.

    Skills USA Opportunities

    Students operating a machine control panel

    More Info

    By utilizing specialized instruction, SkillsUSA prepares America’s high-performance workers in public career and technical programs, emphasizing quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development.
    construction
    video game progamming

    Want to learn more?

    Opportunity You Are Interested In

    Made a career initiative

    About Downey MADE

    Launched in 2016, the Downey MADE program takes students on an experiential journey of active career exploration. Within the program, students choose a career pathway linked to a sequence of classes. These classes are tied to specific industry sectors. Ultimately, MADE students develop technical and transferable skills that are unique to a particular career pathway.