LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is expanding its career and technical education offerings to include skilled trades, data science, and student-run businesses, with several programs slated to begin in the coming years.
During a Board of Education work session on October 26, school officials outlined plans that will allow high school seniors to gain hands-on training in fields such as welding, electrical work, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). This initiative is a result of a partnership with the College of Southern Maryland and aims to help students fulfill graduation requirements while pursuing technical skills.
The program is set to accommodate 36 students from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties in its inaugural year. Interested students will apply in their 11th grade year, and training will take place during their senior year. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with other coursework completed through the Virtual Academy on Mondays and Wednesdays. Rebecca Brandt, CCPS director of career and technical education, mentioned the importance of identifying students interested in construction trades who have not already chosen other career preparation pathways.
New Pathways in Data Science and Marketing
A proposed data science pathway at St. Charles High School will integrate mathematics, statistics, and computer science, giving students an advantage as they prepare for college courses. Development of this program is planned as follows:
- 2026-27 school year: Development of content and goals.
- Spring 2027: Targeted memorandum of understanding.
- Fall 2027: Eighth graders can apply.
- Fall 2028: Accepted students begin at St. Charles.
Officials aim to attract seventh graders currently in school to be part of this inaugural group. They are also considering a model where college instructors would teach data science courses at St. Charles, similar to the STEM engineering pathway at North Point High School.
In addition, CCPS is developing a marketing pathway designed to teach students about branding, advertising, and digital content creation, with potential opportunities to earn Adobe certifications. The marketing program may include connections to school-based businesses that would provide students with practical experience. One concept discussed involves a beverage business that pairs marketing students with those studying food and beverage management.
As new programs are rolled out, the existing STEM engineering pathway at North Point High School has already begun. This program welcomed its first cohort of ninth-grade students this school year, emphasizing math, science, and engineering, with college instructors also teaching courses to ensure students have access to college-level education without leaving their high school.
The broader career and technical education framework within CCPS includes 34 pathways across 10 career clusters at various high schools, and officials continue to explore additional opportunities to enhance these offerings over the next two years. For more information on these programs, details can be found on the CCPS Career and Technical Education website.
