Preparing students for their future careers is an increasing focus at Pilot Point ISD.
While Pilot Point High School has long-standing success in preparing students for their future in programs such as FFA, it is working to increase the number of career and technology education courses it can provide.
'Our district's career and technical education programs are really making sure that the students are leaving with real-world skills [and] certifications that can get them directly into these industries right after graduation or ultimately through college,' said Jaren Mercer, Coordinator of Federal Programs and Instructional Support. '… By building strong partnerships with our community and local businesses, we prepare students for life beyond graduation and then also ensure their success in our community as a whole.'
Certain programs have certification opportunities available, some of which require an industry specialist to work with the students to fulfill those requirements.
Of the 14 CTE programs in Texas, Pilot Point offers agriculture, food and natural resources; business, marketing and finance; education and training; and hospitality and tourism, and it plans to expand by offering information technology as well as law and public service next school year.
'We're excited to be able to be adding those two programs of study,' Mercer said.
Pilot Point High School Principal Marzia Infante finished out the presentation at the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Lone Star Lodge and Marina on April 17.
'Just like my own children, I want them to have opportunities,' she said. 'I want them to have successes. … So one of those big successes this year was partnering with Pilot Point Works and having a Career— this is a very long name, y'all, so bear with me—a Career, College and Military Fair for our students.'
Infante spoke of how some of her students made life-changing connections through the event.
'Over 90% of our students are college, career and military ready,' she said. 'So that is a huge testament to our students, to our staff, to our community, that gets our students ready for that next chapter of their life. But we need your help.'
She told the crowd that she wants to offer mentorship opportunities for her students to connect with local businesses, guest speakers for the various CTE classes and internship or apprenticeship programs.
'Mr. Mercer talked about the veterinary assistant program,' Infante said. 'We were unable to offer that particular certification because that certification requires a partnership with a vet. … I would love to offer that type of certification to them. I mean, we have vets. We can definitely get them involved.'
She also mentioned the LaGrone Academy in Denton ISD, which PPISD may work with to increase the opportunities for its students.
Infante fielded questions, including from City Manager Britt Lusk and Public Works Director Nestor Ramirez about ways the city can connect with the school to grow up employees for different city departments through the CTE opportunities.
'Getting involved in this is not only helpful to the students to learn what the city offers, but to give a peek behind the curtain … to understand as a whole what cities do and how they operate,' Lusk said.
Brian Murrell asked about whether the district would consider adding the manufacturing focus, citing the number of cabinet shops throughout the area.
'We want to increase that year by year,' Infante said of the different pathways available to the students.
