Farmington highlights career and technical education program

FARMINGTON — Farmington High School staff, teachers and students highlighted the school’s career and technical education programs and courses Feb. 14 during a showcase held for the public.

The school’s first showcase opened in the Performing Arts Center with Superintendent Jon Laffoon and principal Jon Purifoy addressing people in the auditorium. Those attending were mainly Farmington school administrators; School Board members; some members of the public, including Mayor Ernie Penn; and others representing career and technical education on the regional and state level.

Starlinda Sanders, career and technical coordinator for Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative in Farmington, noted that Farmington offers 11 career pathways on site, including business management, television production, computer science, cybersecurity, child care and nutrition, agriculture and marketing.

The high school partners with the community college to offer seven additional career programs, including certification as a nursing assistant. Students also can participate in classes at Northwest Technical Institute that include certifications in HVAC and welding.

Laffoon said Farmington’s career and technical education classes provide transformative learning experiences for students in grades 7-12.

Farmington’s current career and technical education programs are computer science, engineering, biomedical science, agriculture, business, AV technology and communication, and family consumer science.

Farmington High School also has career pathways through Project Lead the Way: preengineering, biomedical and computer science.

Purifoy said he started what he calls the “7 secrets of our successful school” when he came to Farmington nine years ago.

These secrets include building strong relationships; high expectations for continuous growth; a guaranteed, viable written curriculum; goal-setting action plans with coaching; collaborative planning in teams; monitoring; and data-driven decisions and common assessments.

“That’s what we strive for,” Purifoy said. “Our teachers know this.”