CTE / Overview

Phoenix

There is a growing need in the U.S. workforce for well-trained employees who are prepared with the 21st Century skills that businesses and corporations have identified as critical for the challenges of our global economy. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Virginia public schools prepare today's students for their future education and workplace experiences by offering quality hands-on learning in a "real-world" context.

The mission of CTE is to ensure that every graduate is prepared for the challenges of post-secondary education and the workplace. Workplace readiness skills emphasized within Rock Ridge CTE programs include:

critical and high order thinking
collaboration and teamwork
creativity
personal and social responsibility
communication
decision-making skills and more!

The Career & Technical Education department at Rock Ridge High School consists of four program areas:

Business & Information Technology
Family & Consumer Sciences
Marketing Education
Technology & Engineering Education

All program area classes incorporate hands-on learning activities that actively engage students in applying knowledge to real world scenarios through project-based learning. Some courses also provide laboratory learning experiences, such as work in the school store, foods lab, preschool, production lab, research & design lab, and more. All students are provided with opportunities to earn industry certifications and credentials aligned with the state competencies for the course.

Business & Information Technology

Mrs. Janet Dewey	Business Law (Semester) Business Management (Semester) Personal Finance (Semester) * FBLA
Mrs. Roxana Cromwell	Advanced CIS Computer Information Systems (CIS) Introduction to Cybersecurity Introduction to Business and Marketing * FBLA

Family & Consumer Sciences

Mr. Christopher Berger	Gourmet Foods \|\| Introduction to Culinary Arts \|\| Cybersecurity Software Ops
Mrs. Shannon Hunter	Introduction to Early Childhood \|\| Early Childhood 1 & 2 \|\| Gourmet Foods

Marketing Education

Mr. Michael Canfield	Sports & Entertainment Marketing Introduction to Business & Marketing Personal Finance * DECA * School Store
Mr. Ben Stodola Department Chair	Sports & Entertainment Marketing Marketing 1 * DECA * School Store
Mrs. Sandra Tucker	Advanced Marketing Seminar DE Marketing 1 * School Store * DECA

Technology & Engineering Education

Mr. Peter Johnson

Technical Drawing & Design

Engineering Drawing & Design

Advanced Drawing & Design

Aerospace Science I

Aerospace Science II

Students enrolled in CTE courses follow a competency-based curriculum as established by the Virginia Department of Education and in accordance with the sixteen career clusters. Details are available on the CTE Resource Center website, which outlines the complete task list for each VDOE course (site in in process of moving to a new location).

Additional information regarding CTE programs in Loudoun County Public Schools, including the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA) and the Academy of Engineering & Technology (AET) programs, can be accessed here.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete at least two sequential electives (completer courses).
Student credits earned shall include one credit in fine arts or CTE.
Students must earn one-credit in Economics and Personal Finance.
Students must earn a CTE credential (industry certification) for a Standard Diploma.
Students may utilize credential tests in CTE for earning verified credit.

Awards for Exemplary Student Performance

The Career and Technical Education Seal may be earned by students receiving the Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma who (1) complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a CTE concentration or specialization that they choose and (2) maintain a “B” or better average in those courses or pass an examination that earns certification from a recognized industry, trade, or professional association.

Career & Technical Student Organizations

Enrollment in CTE courses also affords students the unique opportunity to participate in career & technical student organizations at the local, state, and national levels. These co-curricular student organizations are integrated into the classroom experience to provide additional learning opportunities for developing leadership skills and enhancing the student's perspective of the world through field trips, guest speakers, competitive events, and conferences.

CTSOs at Rock Ridge include:

DECA
Educators Rising
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
Technology Student Association (TSA)

Additional information can be found on the Activities page.

Career and Technical Education

Virginia Department of Education - CTE

Career and technical education programs in Virginia public schools serve more than 550,000 students in grades 6-12. These programs are designed to prepare young people for productive futures while meeting the commonwealth's need for well-trained and industry-certified technical workers.

Loudoun County Public Schools - CTE

Career and technical education courses are an integral part of the middle school and high school plan of study in addition to offering special programs at the Academy of Entrepreneurship and Technology, C.S. Monroe Technology Center, and NJROTC.

Career and Technical Student Organizations

DECA - National Website

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high school and colleges around the globe. More than 185,000 high school members participate in DECA through 5,000 chapters in all 50 states and 8 countries.

Virginia DECA

VA DECA values every one of our 13,000+ members. From students grades 9 - 12 to advisors, business partners and alumni - each plays a vital part in our organization. The support of our members allows us to offer programs that reach far more individuals than just our members.

Educators Rising

Educators Rising, formerly the Future Educators Association (FEA), a member of the PDK International family of associations, is an international student organization dedicated to supporting young people interested in education-related careers. Founded in 1937, Educators Rising has helped thousands of students develop the skills and strong leadership traits that are found in high-quality educators.

FBLA - National Website

Welcome to the largest and oldest business student organization in the world! The high school division has 215,000 members, while the postsecondary division reaches over 11,000 college students. More than 11,000 advisers round out the group.

Virginia FBLA

Thousands of Virginia high school students, educators, administrators, and business professionals have chosen to be members of the premier business education association preparing students for careers in business. All business students are members of FBLA on the local chapter level. Students have the opportunity to participate in activities at the regional, state, and national levels.

FCCLA - National Website

The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Organization is headquartered in Reston, VA. FCCLA is a nonprofit national career and technical organization for young men and women in family and consumer sciences education in public and private school through grade 12.

Technology Student Association

The Technology Student Association (TSA) fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematices (STEM); members apply and integrate these concepts through co-curricular activities, competitions, and related programs. The TSA Motto is: Learning to Live in a Technical World