Career-Technical Education (CTE)

The numbers are clear. In Ohio, students engaged with CTE experiences graduate at a rate of 95.8%, compared to 88% for students overall. But CTE is about more than graduation rates. It's about students leaving school with something real in hand: skills, credentials, work experience, and a plan.

CTE at Winton Woods helps students:

• Explore careers and develop transferable skills that employers are looking for
• Earn college credit while still in high school
• Earn industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) and certifications
• Participate in internships, pre-apprenticeships, and other work-based learning experiences that can lead directly to employment
• Access high-wage, high-skill, in-demand career fields
• Meet graduation requirements along the way

CTE at Winton Woods isn't just what happens in a classroom. It's an ecosystem of experiences in school, in the community, and in the workplace. That gives our students exposure, confidence, and connections they can't get anywhere else.

At School

Students on the North Campus benefit from College and Career Wednesdays, dedicated time built into the week for career exploration, planning, and development. Career speakers visit regularly, and students use SchooLinks, a career advising platform, to explore interests, map out pathways, and develop their Graduation and Success Plans.

In the Community and the Workplace

Warriors are out in the world gaining hands-on experience through initiatives like:

• Forest Park Cadets — a work-based learning program rooted in service and civic engagement
• Medical Explorers — students exploring careers in healthcare alongside professionals
• Student Athletic Trainer Assistants (in partnership with Mercy Health) — real clinical experience for students interested in sports medicine and allied health
• GE Engineering Discovery and GE Engineering Academy — connecting students to one of Greater Cincinnati's anchor employers and exposing them to engineering and advanced manufacturing careers
• Cincinnati Works Next Gen Program — workforce readiness and career development for young adults
• AI Promptathon (through the Academy of Global Studies) — preparing students to work with emerging artificial intelligence tools in professional settings
• Industry Tours — site visits to local employers across career fields (second semester)

Career awareness doesn't begin in 9th grade. Winton Woods is actively expanding career exploration and exposure throughout grades K–8, so that by the time students reach high school, they're not starting from scratch. They're building on a foundation of curiosity, exploration, and self-knowledge.

Middle school students have already benefited from experiences like the GE Next Engineers program, where they explored structural and civil engineering by designing and testing real structures. This kind of early exposure is exactly what CTE is built on.

Ohio's CTE framework is organized around 16 career fields that reflect real workforce demand. Winton Woods students have access to opportunities across these areas:

Our work at Winton Woods is focused on expanding the number of formal career pathways available to students. We connect coursework, credentials, and real experiences into a clear sequence from high school to career or college.

Winton Woods is an active participant in the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council (BAC), a regional partnership that brings together school districts and local employers to shape education around what our economy actually needs. This means our CTE programs aren't built in isolation. They're informed by the industries that are hiring, the employers investing in our region, and the community leaders who want to see Winton Woods Warriors succeed. For more information, visit the BAC section of our website.

Ohio law (ORC 3313.89) requires all public high schools to provide students and families with direct access to the state’s online education and career planning tools. These resources are designed to help students explore careers, plan coursework and prepare for life after graduation.

Access the State’s Career Planning Tools

Students and parents can explore Ohio’s official education and career planning system using the links below:

• Ohio Education & Career Planning Tool

• OhioMeansJobs – Student Portal

These tools are provided through the Ohio Department of Workforce Development. They offer interest surveys, career information, training pathways, job‑search resources, and planning features to support students as they prepare for their futures.

How Our School Uses These Tools

School counselors and administrators integrate the state’s planning system into academic advising, graduation planning, and career‑readiness activities. The Ohio Department of Workforce Development periodically surveys schools regarding their use of these tools.

If you have questions or would like assistance using the planning system, please contact your school counselor.

At Winton Woods City School District, we believe every student deserves a clear path toward a bright future. In accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3313.6020, we are proud to share our Career Advising Plan and Career-Technical Education Policy, which reflect our commitment to equipping Warriors with the skills and direction they need to thrive in their chosen careers.