Accelerate Your Student's Future with Career and Technical Education!
Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are developed with the end in mind — making sure students graduate high school equipped with the tools they need to flourish as college students or as young adults ready to enter the workforce. We help students explore possibilities, narrow their interests, and develop a plan for after high school.
Real-world, hands-on experiences are built into our curriculum, with many of our students also earning industry-recognized certifications at no cost. As a result, our CTE students are graduating with a competitive advantage, earning a leg up in the area's highest-demand industries and post-secondary programs.
CTE At All High Schools, for All Students
Anyone can participate in CTE
All of our high schools offer CTE courses. They are open for any student to take without any fees or requirements — it's that simple!
Our CTE classes are organized into Career Academies. These academies represent different industries and careers such as Game Design, Nursing, Construction, Early Childhood, and Information Technology. We have close to 70 Career Academies throughout Duval County Public Schools, and we're constantly expanding as we strive to offer real and relevant opportunities.
7,000+ industry certifications earned in the 2022-23 school year
195 CTE courses offered
22,000+ students enrolled in at least one CTE course
Students Can Earn Industry Certifications at No Cost
We also provide students with the opportunity to test for and earn industry-recognized certifications and licenses. Industry certifications prove mastery of a specific set of knowledge and skills and can lead to internships, jobs, and advantages in the college admissions process. These tests typically cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, but our students get to take them for free.
Our industry certifications range from Certified Veterinary Assistant, to Auto Maintenance & Light Repair, and to Certified Food Safety Manager. Keep reading to learn more about opportunities offered in our schools.
Our Career Clusters
We offer programs and courses that fall within 17 career clusters recognized by the State of Florida's Workforce Education Initiative. Read more about each pathway below to learn about corresponding careers and learning opportunities.
CTE Programs Offering College Credit
Thanks to the district's Dual Enrollment program, several of our CTE programs allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. Students can begin taking college-level courses free of charge, saving families thousands of dollars and saving students time in the long run.
We offer the following CTE Dual Enrollment Partnerships:
Aviation. Offered through Andrew Jackson, Baldwin, Ed White, Englewood, First Coast, Fletcher, Mandarin, Paxon, Ribault, Terry Parker, Westide, and Wolfson high schools in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
IT, Logistics, and Mechatronics. Offered at the Florida State College at Jacksonville campus and open to any high school.
Medical Assisting and HVAC. Offered through A. Philip Randolph Career Academies in partnership with FSCJ
Welding. Offered through A. Philip Randolph and Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology and in partnership with FSCJ.
Students must meet qualifying GPA and testing requirements to participate in these programs. Prospective students interested in learning more should contact their school counselors for additional information.
Duval Ready Diploma Designation for Workplace Skills
Business Partnerships
Building Foundations in Elementary and Middle School
Frequently Asked Questions: Career and Technical Education
Is Career and Technical Education only for students who are not going to college?
This is a common misconception. Career and Technical Education offers great opportunities and experiences for all students, whether they pursue employment immediately after high school or if they go to college.
I’m planning to go to college. Why should I consider CTE?
Career courses can be a tremendous benefit to college-bound students. Industry certifications and work experience gained in high school can give college students an advantage in competing for internships and other collegiate opportunities.
Students with advanced work skills gained through CTE can even work in higher wage jobs while going to college, reducing the need to rely on student loans. Students with CTE work experience will have an advantage in competing for jobs once they are ready to enter the workforce full-time.
Where can I take CTE classes?
You can take CTE classes at any of our high schools. We even offer CTE programs in some of our middle schools.
What's the difference between a class and a Career Academy?
Career Academies can be found at each of our high schools, and represent program pathways that fall under a career cluster recognized by the state. For example, several of our schools have Culinary Academies. This academy falls under the Hospitality & Tourism career cluster.
Within each academy, you will find various classes that teach different skills and concepts. Depending on the academy, teachers will recommend you take classes in a specific order to build your skills.
What are the requirements to take Career Education Courses?
For the majority of our programs and courses, there are no requirements — anyone can participate! In fact, you can think of our CTE courses as electives.
However, some of our programs – such as the Nursing Academy at Atlantic Coast High School – do have prerequisites and require an application. Be sure to speak to your school directly to learn more about programs that interest you and how you can participate.
