The Career and Technology Center is leading the way in success and innovation by letting students watch over any of their 24 classes for those interested. This is known as “shadowing”.

The CTC offers kids around the county to take part in a 2-year program. Students spend half their day at CTC either before or after lunch. Their classes are very different from a standard high school class. Students have to apply and be accepted to CTC. Grades, behavior, and shadowing experience all play a role in who gets accepted.

“The program isn’t a job,” said Brad George, Middletown High School counselor. “It’s more like training for a job.”

MHS sophomore and CTC student Tim Karth said, “Honestly, you could leave CTC with a certificate and immediately get a job.”

At the end of a shadowing experience, the center will consider a student for their next year. To shadow, students go to the attendance office and sign up to see one or two classes. After a couple of days, they get a notice saying what day they’re shadowing.

Once at the center, students shadowing take a survey asking how they ended up here. Then after some instructions, they’re on their way to observe the class. Every room shows the shadowers the ropes in different ways. They could have stations that you switch through, or have them come together for one project.
George said, “Kids should know that CTC is time intensive but there is flexibility, just like online classes. A lot of CTC students do two academic classes a semester and their CTC. Those who are willing to put in more time have more options available to them.”

You can get an order form at http://education.fcps.org/ctc/ to sign up for shadowing a program.