Corpus Christi ISD eighth graders get taste of high school programs

They have to finish middle school first, but Corpus Christi ISD's eighth graders are already envisioning their goals for high school.

If they start planning ahead early enough, the eighth graders could graduate high school with the skills they need to start a career. On Wednesday, the school district brought bus loads of eighth graders from Kaffie, Adkins, Haas, Hamlin and Baker middle schools to Carroll High School to learn about the district's career and technology education programs.

On Thursday, the "CTE Pathways to Your Future Expo" continues with visits from Grant, Browne, Coles, Metro Prep, Cunningham and South Park, Driscoll and Martin middle schools.

The district has worked to expand CTE program options in recent years, adding maritime, aviation and dental programs to the slate of offerings, which also include welding, construction trades, health science and culinary arts.

Many programs are offered at each CCISD high school campus, but some are only offered at one or two schools. To take advantage of these programs, students can apply for a transfer if they aren't already on track to attend the relevant high school. Spots are awarded by lottery.

For example, the construction and International Baccalaureate programs are housed at Ray High School. The CITGO Innovation Academy for engineering, environmental and marine science is based at Moody High School. Miller High School has automotive and cosmetology programs. Carroll High School offers maritime, animal science and dental science classes. Veterans Memorial High School has exercise science and aviation programs.

As they waited for the buses to take them back to middle school, Adkins Middle School students listed off the many programs they thought seemed cool.

"I liked welding," Christian Cisneros said.

"Welding and construction and—" Ares Flores added.

"—There was a personal trainer one," Cisneros continued.

"I thought health and science were pretty cool as well," Flores said.

The students have a few more months to research and discuss their goals with their families. At the start of the spring semester, eighth graders choose which courses to take next year. Around that time, the district plans a community event where families can also learn about the programs.

Students can also apply for a transfer for a specific high school program of choice in the spring.

Many students start taking CTE classes in freshman year, but a student can also potentially start on a CTE track sophomore year as well.

Jonah Morales and Audree Alearado are juniors at Moody High School, both involved with the school's underwater robotics program.

"We learn the basics of electronics," Morales said. "Every year, we design a robot and it's like a business. Everyone in the class has a role."

The underwater robotics team also enters robotics competitions.

"The best part is doing engineering and understanding the basics — it could lead to a real job," Alearado said.

Drifting through the booths in the Carroll High School auxiliary gym, Adkins Middle School eighth graders Avery Baker and Carly Beisly checked out the culinary and dental programs.

"I've seen a lot that I would be interested in," Beisly said.

High school students from robotics programs showed off their creations. Construction students in yellow safety vests displayed carpentry projects and let middle schoolers try out a drill. Health science students wore scrubs.

Ray High School sophomore Lily Colunga was stationed at a health science program booth with juniors Jazlin Abeja-Franco and Serenah Garcia and teacher Brittany Queen.

Colunga said she enjoyed the hands-on aspects of the program.

"It's not like, 'Oh, I don't want to go to class,'" Colunga said. "It's like, 'I can't wait to go.'"

Colunga said she's always been interested in being a doctor. Garcia didn't know she might be interested in a health profession until she took the class.

"It expands on different career fields in health science," Abeja-Franco said.

Students who complete the program have to opportunity to earn industry certifications. Even if they eventually decide to pursue a different goal after high school, they can use certifications to work in the meantime, Queen said.

"Even if they finish the program and think, 'This might not be for me', they can still work as a medical assistant and help pay for whatever degree they go after," Queen said.

Sophomore Stephanie Cornejo and junior Alec Alcocer are both part of the Carrol High School construction trades program.

"They teach you all the trades — they teach you carpentry, plumbing and electricity," Alcocer said.

Alcocer is interested in architecture. Cornejo is thinking about engineering.

In addition to the chance to learn skills and industry certifications, the students are also preparing to participate in SkillsUSA competitions.

Ahead of the expo, middle school counselors presented career exploration information. But during the event at Carroll High School, students had the chance to speak to current high school students and teachers for each program at the high school they will attend, as well as representatives from the district's programs of choice that might require a transfer.

"It's their opportunity to see the programs in action," CCISD coordinator for college, career and military readiness Bryan Davis said. "They can see the things the construction class has built and see what the fashion design kids have designed."

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi ISD eighth graders get taste of high school programs