Career Technical Education (CTE)

The growth of the Culinary Arts & Hospitality industry in Mendocino and surrounding counties has created a demand for employees with culinary training, restaurant management, and event promotion & supervision skills. Students in the Culinary Arts pathway get hands-on experience emphasizing industry awareness; sanitation and safe food handling; food and beverage production; nutrition; food service management and customer service. Students can earn Food Service Manager ServSafe certification, which is recognized nationally throughout the restaurant industry. Additionally, through the context of the culinary arts, students learn organizational skills (e.g. event planning) applicable to any and all chosen career or college endeavors. 

The Agricultural Mechanics pathway prepares students for careers related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of equipment used by the agriculture industry. Basic agricultural mechanics skills and safety, cover woodworking, electrical systems, plumbing, cold metal work, concrete, and welding technology. Advanced topics deal with metal fabrication, small engines, agriculture power and technology, and agriculture construction.

The Sustainable Agriculture pathway teaches Agriscience through the lens of sustainability.  Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and the biotic world can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.  Students learn about the many career opportunities in agriculture, participate in occupationally relevant experiences, and work cooperatively with a group to develop and expand leadership abilities. 

The Business Marketing & Technology pathway offers students a dynamic, hands-on educational experience. Through this program, students gain practical knowledge in business, marketing strategies, branding, social media marketing, and the use of innovative technologies. This pathway prepares students for careers in business, marketing, entrepreneurship, or further studies in business and technology-related fields. This pathway also includes the production of the student generated entertainment show called Howlin’ Hi-Lites.  Howlin’ Hi-Lites showcases students and school generated projects.