CTE & Workforce Development

The Business & Information Technology program is an intensive preparation for business and information technology careers. Courses enable students to investigate opportunities in business, prepare for entry and advancement on-the-job, develop management skills, and identify further education and training necessary within a chosen career cluster. The curriculum for Business & Information Technology not only meets current technological advances in computer applications, systems, and communications but also presents opportunities to learn about economics and finance, accounting, law, and management. Business & Information Technology courses include:

• Make It Your Business (6th)
• Computer Solutions (7th)
• Digital Input Technologies (8th)
• Computer Information Systems I
• Advanced Computer Information Systems II
• Graphic Design & Multimedia I
• Advanced Graphic Design & Multimedia II
• Accounting I
• Advanced Accounting II
• Economics & Personal Finance
• Business Law
• Business Management

Family & Consumer Sciences prepares students to manage and balance the adult demands of personal, home, and work life in the 21st century. Content focuses on careers in an academic discipline, cultural and environmental issues, health and safety, individual and family relations, leadership and workplace ethics, and the application of technology. Family and Consumer Science courses include:

• Family Consumer Sciences I (6th)
• Family Consumer Sciences II (7th)
• Family Consumer Sciences III (8th)
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education I
• Advanced Early Childhood Education II (dual enrollment)
• Introduction to Culinary Arts I
• Culinary Arts II
• Teachers for Tomorrow

Courses in Health and Medical Sciences prepare students for careers such as nursing, surgical technology, medical assisting, pharmacy, emergency medical response, biomedical health informatics, and sports medicine through therapeutic, diagnostic, rehabilitative, managerial, and supportive services. Students have the opportunity to apply the skills learned by participating or observing in a variety of health care settings.

• Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences
• Nurse Aide
• Surgical Technologist

The JROTC program prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. The Leadership Education and Training (LET) program consists of four years of instruction with a maximum of 108 core hours and 72 optional hours per year. One (1) credit is awarded for each academic year. Core courses include Techniques of Communications, Leadership Lab, Map Reading, History, Citizenship, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, and Cadet Challenge (Physical Training).

Marketing prepares students for careers in the processes of buying and selling goods and services. Marketing courses prepare students for entry-level positions and/or continued education in a variety of careers that require knowledge of communications, economics, and psychology as well as techniques in sales, promotion, and management. Marketing courses include: 

• Marketing I
• Advanced Marketing II
• Education for Employment
• Fashion Marketing I
• Advanced Fashion Marketing II
• Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
• Entrepreneurship (dual enrollment)
• Advanced Entrepreneurship (dual enrollment)
• Sports & Recreation Marketing

The Technology Education program provides experiences that lead to the development of technologically literate people. Students will learn to understand the dynamics of technology, employ the technological processes, analyze the behavior of technological systems, apply scientific principles in the processes of technology, and discover personal interests and abilities related to a wide variety of technology-oriented careers. Technology courses include:

• Introduction to Technology (6th)
• Inventions and Innovations (7th)
• Technological Systems (8th)
• Aerospace Technology I
• Aerospace Technology II
• Engineering Explorations I
• Engineering Analysis & Applications II- Robotics
• Electronic Systems I
• Electronic Systems II
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals
• Technical Drawing & Design I
• Advanced Architectural Drawing & Design II
• Advanced Engineering Drawing & Design II
• Biotechnology and Forensics Foundations
• Statics and Strengths of Materials (dual enrollment)
• Sustainability & Renewable Technologies

Trade & Industrial Education programs prepare students with occupational skills, knowledge, attitudes, and work habits to become employed or continue their education in the skilled field. The teacher, in cooperation with licensing boards, advisory committees, and other persons who have knowledge of the trade, develop the curriculum based upon licensure requirements, opportunities for employment, and post-secondary options. Trade and Industrial courses include:

• Automotive Technology I
• Automotive Technology II (dual enrollment)
• Automotive Technology III (dual enrollment)
• Cosmetology (I & II)
• Criminal Justice (I & II)
• Computer and Cyber Security Solutions
• Computer Networking Operations (I & II)
• Commercial Photography (I & II)
• TV and Media Production I
• TV and Media Production II (dual enrollment)
• TV Production and Screenwriting III (dual enrollment)

The Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Alexandria City High School is a school-within-a-school. The academy has been designed through a collaborative effort between ACPS and George Washington University. Through this collaboration, students will have the ability to receive up to 18 college credits from The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  In addition to earning college credits, students have the opportunity to earn an entry level industry certification in one of six different pathways. They are: Biotechnology/Health Informatics, Emergency Medical Technician,  Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing (Nurse Aide), Sports Medicine, and Surgical Sciences (Sterile Processing).

Learn more

The Academy of Finance (AOF) is part of the Business & Information Technology program. It is organized as a school within a school that prepares students for post-secondary education and careers through academic learning within a theme-based curriculum centered around the financial services industry. Upon completion students will receive a National Academy Foundation Certificate of Financial Studies. Academy of Finance courses include:

• AOF Introduction to Financial Services
• AOF Economics and Personal Finance
• AOF Introduction to Business & International Finance (dual enrollment)

The STEM Academy starts with a team of students and teachers who create a learning community that is a collaborative, caring environment. Both students and teachers are learners in a real-world, problem-solving, project-based environment. Ninth grade students in the Academy will participate in a STEM Explorations course in which they will be immersed in the investigation of real-world engineering and technology problems and decisions affecting their local, state, national and global problems related to human sustainability.

Learn more

AC STEM offers an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, industry credentials, work-based learning experiences, and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in just 5 years. Through a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College and Washington Gas, ACPS students can choose to prepare for exciting in-demand careers in either Architecture Technology (architecture, energy, construction, and skilled trades) or Engineering Technology (engineering, energy, manufacturing, and technology). AC Tech offers an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, industry credentials, work-based learning experiences, and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in just 5 years. Through a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College and Washington Gas, ACPS students can choose to prepare for exciting in-demand careers in either Architecture Technology (architecture, energy, construction, and skilled trades) or Engineering Technology (engineering, energy, manufacturing, and technology). During the 5-year program, the first four years will be at the high school, followed by the fifth year at the community college.  Students will have the opportunity to earn half of the college credits needed for the A.A.S. degree while in high school.