So many paths for students to choose
From nursing and engineering to cosmetology and graphic design, Dayton Public Schools can help students achieve their career goals.
By now most have heard of career and technical education and understand the benefits of giving students the opportunity to work with their brains and their hands. And although many students join a program believing they have their career planned out, Dayton Public Schools believes it is important to expose students to the widerange of fields and job opportunities available to them — some they may not have even known existed.
Kaliq Crutch, a senior in the biotechnology program at David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center, originally thought he wanted to go into business. After learning about the career opportunities available through biotechnology, he opted for that pathway. He hopes to one day work in forensics.
“I did not know I had a big passion for forensics,” Crutch said. “I always watched CSI and crime shows. And then in biotech we did a forensic lab for our junior final exam. Our teacher made a crime scene and we had to find out who the killer was. It was the coolest thing I have ever experienced. We did blood analysis, hair analysis and had to run fingerprints. After that, I knew I wanted to be in the forensic science field.”
Ponitz biotechnology teacher Joshua Roark said forensic science is just one biotech sector students learn about in his classroom. Others include botany, veterinary parasitology, microbiology, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
Crutch, who is also a varsity wrestler, plans to continue his education at Sinclair Community College. All Ponitz students who meet the requirements for graduation earn a $3,000 scholarship to Sinclair.
At Ponitz, students begin thinking about and planning for their future careers as freshmen. But it is not just Ponitz — all six Dayton Public high schools offer CTE programs.
With more than 20 programs designed to create success, students are prepared to continue their education in college or to start a career immediately. Students also have the opportunity to earn college credit and an associate degree while still in high school through the College Credit Plus program.
This fall, a new fire/EMR CTE program will be added.
CTE programs at Dayton Public Schools include:
■ Allied health/nursing
■ Biomedical science
■ Biotechnology
■ Cosmetology
■ Culinary/food service operations
■ Dental technology
■ Exercise science/sports medicine
■ Urban teacher academy
■ Business administrative services
■ Business logistics
■ Business management
■ Information technology
■ Automotive technology
■ Construction technology
■ Engineering design and robotics
■ Engineering technology
■ Engineering science
■ Media arts — film production, photography, radio/tv