ELECTIVES
Career & Technical Education
The Career & Technical Education department is a consortium of Business & Finance, Family & Consumer Sciences and Technology & Engineering Departments. As comprehensive, standards-based instructional programs the focus of CTE is to enable students to demonstrate individual creativity and achievement through the use of advanced technologies and 21st century skills. Through the use of Mac and PC computer labs, authentic pre-schools, culinary labs, 3D printers and manufacturing labs CTE students cultivate skills that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. CTE students routinely participate in problem-solving activities that reflect current workplace practices and develop career awareness, time management and communication skills. In collaboration with School Counseling and Advisory, students will work to establish a four-year Student Success Plan (SSP) based on their career aspirations and interests. The SSP guides students toward skill development that aligns with college and career preparation. Specific career clusters and their associated pathways are highlighted below.
Business & Finance Department
Business and Financial Literacy Pathway Courses
Communication Technology Pathway Courses
Family & Consumer Sciences Department
Health and Human Services Pathway Courses
Technology & Engineering Department
Communication Technology Pathway Courses
Manufacturing Logistics Pathway Courses
Performing Arts
The West Hartford Public Schools' Performing Arts Department is comprised of the Music Department and the Theatre Department. Throughout the Performing Arts classes, students are brought together to work in ensembles where they hone their individual and collaborative skills. Students deepen their artistic development and expressive sensitivity through the carefully guided study of core repertoire and performance preparation.
Visual Arts
The visual arts curriculum encompasses the four components of Comprehensive Art Education (Discipline Based Art Education), art production, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism which encourage students to see and think about the world from different perspectives. Every student is entitled to a quality education in the visual arts. Such an education will provide students with the means to:
- Value art as an important realm of human activity, and a lifelong source of insight and understanding
- Offer self-reflective opportunities focusing on expression and development of personal style
- Provide opportunities to develop interpersonal skills through collaborative work
- Improve perceptual skills and strengthen their knowledge base
- Enhance their critical and creative thinking abilities as well as problem solving skills
- Develop visual literacy skills
- Broaden their career opportunities and possible application
- Foster development of 21st century skills
Course offerings provide guided learning experiences with two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms and concepts. A variety of subject matter, materials, tools and production techniques are explored. The courses encourage students to make connections with other disciplines through class discussions, assignments, research, readings, lectures, guest speakers and field trips.