What is Career and Technical Education (CTE)? CTE offers courses to students in grades 6 through 12 that contain (1) competency-based instruction, (2) career and technical student organizations, (3) industry credentials,* and (4) work-based learning experiences.

*Industry credentials are only offered to students in grades 9 - 12.

CTE Curriculum Resources

Competency-Based Instruction (pursuant to 8VAC20-120-120) refers to the instruction of CTE courses by competencies (what should a student be able to do?) rather than Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives. The first 22 competencies of each career and technical education course are Workplace Readiness Skills. Each course is categorized in one of eight program areas (teacher centered) and 17 career clusters and pathways (student centered). 

The CTE Pathways Guide highlights recommended high school career and technical education courses, sequential electives, credentials, and work-based learning experiences by career clusters and pathways in Loudoun County Public Schools.  The courses listed in each career cluster and pathway may be available to multiple grade levels. Additional information can be found in the Program of Studies.  This resource is intended to provide a suggested sequence but does not guarantee the availability of courses or programs at each of the 17 high schools.

Each middle school offers courses in the following three program areas: Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Technology and Engineering Education.

Each high school offers at least 11 career and technical education courses. 

Each career and technical education course contains a curriculum guide.

Resource Links:

• [ Career and Technical Education Courses ]

• [ Career and Technical Education Program Areas ]

• [ Career Clusters and Pathways ] 

• [ CTE Pathways Guide ] 

• [ Curriculum Guides ] 

• [ High School Course Offerings ]

• [ 22 Workplace Readiness Skills ]

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) (pursuant to 8VAC20-12-160) enrich student knowledge through co-curricular instruction, personal and civic development, applied project-based learning, and real-world application.

Resource Link:

• [ Career and Technical Student Organizations ]

Industry Credentials (pursuant to 8VAC20-120-120) may include state-professional licenses, full industry certifications, pathway industry certifications or occupational competency assessments.

Industry credentials are only offered to students in grades 9 - 12.

Resource Links:

• [ Industry Credentials ]

• [ LCPS CTE Credential Levels ] 

Work-Based Learning Experiences (pursuant to 8VAC20-131-51)are “school-coordinated workplace experiences that are related to students’ career goals and/or interests, are integrated with instruction, and are performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations” (VDOE, 2020).

Contact cte@lcps.org for more information!

Resource Links:

• [ Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students and Businesses ]

• [ Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students ]

  • Cooperative Education

  • Externship

  • Internship

  • Mentorship

  • School-Based Enterprise

  • Service Learning

• [ Work-Based Learning Experiences for Businesses ]

  • Cooperative Education

  • Externship

  • Internship

  • Mentorship

  • School-Based Enterprise

  • Service Learning

There are several Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) that are in need of judges for upcoming competitive events!

NO prior experience is required.

For more information please check out the Community Volunteer Opportunities.

Military Science Admissions for the 2023 - 2024 School Year

What is NJROTC?

The mission of the NJROTC program is to instill in students the ideals of Leadership, Character, Honor, and Service as the foundation for success in life.

The program's focus on order, precision, self-discipline, respect for authority, ethical behavior, patriotism, service, and citizenship is designed to prepare students for success in life, regardless of their future plans.

The program is led by Captain Bill Johns (USN, retired), Master Chief Deanna Foust, (USN, retired), and Gunnery Sergeant Dennis Gaitens (USMC, retired).

The NJROTC application process is only open to LCPS students in Grade 8 (who are not zoned to attend Loudoun County High School) and requires a four-year commitment. All other students (LCPS students in grades 9, 10, or 11; private school students; homeschool students) will need to seek Special Permission through the Department of Student Services, Office of Special Permission.

The NJROTC program is only offered at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, VA

Please visit https://www.lcps.org/domain/2781 for more information.

Program Benefits

In addition to classroom-based activities, the curriculum includes field trips and orientation visits to military bases and other sites of interest.  Three to four such trips will be planned each year including day trips (e.g., U.S. Naval Academy, the Pentagon, Marine Corps Base Quantico) or overnight/multi-day trips (e.g., Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana).  

 

Cadets also undertake community service and outreach activities including environmental and conservation work; service to youth, the elderly, and the less fortunate; service to deployed military members and their families, veterans, and wounded service members; as well as support to local community activities and civic events (parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, commemorations, etc.).

 

Application Window

The online application is available to LCPS students in Grade 8 (who are not zoned to attend Loudoun County High School) and will be made available from November 1, 2022, through January 27, 2023. Instructions on how to apply can be found here.

• • LCPS students in grades 9, 10, or 11 will need to seek Special Permission to attend Loudoun County High School through the Department of Student Services, Office of Special Permission. 
  • Private school students will need to seek Special Permission to attend Loudoun County High School through the Department of Student Services, Office of Special Permission. If they do not reside in the Loudoun County High zone, they MUST first register for the school where they would be zoned to attend.
  • Homeschool students will need to complete the application here.
  • Note: In all instances of Special Permission, if Loudoun County High School is overenrolled, then the application will be DENIED. If the application is approved through the School Board appeals process, then the Naval Science I course will be added to the student's schedule IF space is available.

What is Teacher Cadet?

 

The Teacher Cadet program is a “grow our own” initiative that consists of two dual-enrollment (DE) courses offered to high school students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 who may be interested in pursuing a career in education.

 

Interested students who are eligible to participate are enrolled in the following courses:

• • Grade 11 – Teacher Cadet I DE
  • Grade 12 – Teacher Cadet II DE

 

The Teacher Cadet program is designed to attract high school students to the field of education as a potential career “through exposure to a world-class curriculum and hands-on experience that focuses on teaching,” (Virginia Department of Education, n.d.).

 

Program Benefits

 

Teacher Cadet students earn dual-enrollment (DE) credit through Shenandoah University.

•  
  • Teacher Cadet I DE = EDUC 210 (3 credits)
  • Teacher Cadet II DE = EDUC 310 (3 credits)

 

Teacher Cadet students are also immersed in real-world, project-based learning experiences. Students complete an internship with LCPS teachers and interact with LCPS students at the elementary and middle school levels during observations.

 

Teacher Cadet students who successfully complete the program receive a letter of intent (LOI) from the LCPS Department of Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD). 

 

Submitting an Interest Form

 

The online interest form is available to all LCPS students currently enrolled in Grade 10. Eligible students should express their interest in the Student Opportunities portal (LCPS Go) between September 14, 2022, and January 27, 2023.

 

The student interest form requires a student-created response (i.e., presentation, essay, drawing, video, etc.) and two recommendations. Students will need to provide names and email addresses for two recommenders. 

 

The interest form must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM on January 27, 2023. Student directions are viewable here.

 

Tentative Timeline

 

September 14, 2022

The interest form becomes available in the Student Opportunities portal (LCPS Go).

 

January 27, 2023

The deadline for current Grade 10 students to submit an interest form via LCPS Go.

 

February 10, 2023

All letters of recommendation are due (it is the responsibility of the student to follow up with recommenders).

 

February 13, 2023 - March 10, 2023

The committee convenes to review interest forms.

 

March 27, 2023

The committee communicates accepted and deferred students to stakeholders (students, families, counselors, principals, teachers, etc.).

 

After April 1, 2023

School Counseling may schedule accepted students in the Teacher Cadet I DE course to begin in the 2023 – 2024 school year as Grade 11 students.

 

Click here for Teacher Resources

Pursuant to 8VAC20-120-50, the CTEAC will meet monthly during the school year to discuss the planning, implementing, and assessing of career and technical education programs.

The functions of the CTEAC will be as follows:

• Advise LCPS of needs in career and technical education;
• Participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of career and technical education students;
• Submit periodic reports and recommendations regarding CTE to the division superintendent for transmission to the school board;
• Review the policies and procedures for the provision of career and technical education and related services; and
• Participate in the review of the Perkins V plan, Federal Program Monitoring, and Civil Rights Review.

Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Please visit www.lcps.org/cteac for the official CTEAC website.

Annual Notice

This is an annual notice of the availability of the postsecondary education and employment data published by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) on its website pursuant to § 23.1-204.1.

• Appalachian College of Pharmacy
• Averett University
• Averett University Non-Traditional
• Blue Ridge Community College
• Bluefield College
• Bridgewater College
• Central Virginia Community College
• Christendom College
• Christopher Newport University
• College of William and Mary
• Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
• Danville Community College
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Eastern Shore Community College
• Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Emory and Henry College
• Ferrum College
• George Mason University
• George Washington University
• Germanna Community College
• Hampden-Sydney College
• Hampton University
• Hollins University
• J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
• James Madison University
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences
• John Tyler Community College
• Liberty University
• Longwood University
• Lord Fairfax Community College
• Lynchburg College
• Mary Baldwin College
• Marymount University
• Mountain Empire Community College
• New River Community College
• Norfolk State University
• Northern Virginia Community College
• Old Dominion University
• Patrick Henry Community College
• Paul D Camp Community College
• Piedmont Virginia Community College
• Radford University
• Randolph College
• Randolph-Macon College
• Rappahannock Community College
• Regent University
• Richard Bland College
• Roanoke College
• Shenandoah University
• Southern Virginia University
• Southside Virginia Community College
• Southwest Virginia Community College
• Sweet Briar College
• Thomas Nelson Community College
• Tidewater Community College
• University of Mary Washington
• University of Richmond
• University of Virginia
• University of Virginia's College at Wise
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Highlands Community College
• Virginia Military Institute
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Tech
• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Virginia Union University
• Virginia Wesleyan College
• Virginia Western Community College
• Washington and Lee University
• Wytheville Community College

Job Outlook Data

Pursuant to Superintendent’s Memo #258-20, which identified 2020 General Assembly revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQ), § 22.1-253.13:1 requires the Department of Education to annually compile a list of (i) the top 100 professions in the Commonwealth by median pay and the education, training, and skills required for each such profession and (ii) the top 10 degree programs at institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth by median pay of program graduates. Such lists shall be provided to each local school board.

• Which jobs are expected to grow or decline in Virginia?
  This Job Outlook brochure lists a sampling of high-growth occupations by educational attainment and annual wages projected to 2024 as well as occupations that are projected to decline.

• What are the top 100 professions in the Commonwealth by median pay?
  Click here for the top 100 professions in the Commonwealth by median pay.

• What are the top 10 degree programs at institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth by median pay of program graduates?
  Click here for the 10-degree programs at institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth by median pay of program graduates.