Through AP’s college-level courses and exams, students can often earn college credit and advanced placement and stand out in the admission process. These courses are typically offered in 10th, 11th and 12th grade, however some are open to earlier grades.

In AP’s immersive courses, students don’t just read about things, they get to learn how things really work. Students tackle concepts and learn a hands-on approach that takes students beyond the typical classroom and into an experience that prepares them for college and beyond. Students dialogue, debate and contribute to shared knowledge alongside classmates and AP teachers.

AP courses help students experience college-level course work in a supportive environment. By doing college-level work in high school, students gain confidence and can earn college credit.

AP courses are listed in high school course catalogs. You can learn more about AP at www.collegeboard.org.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is hands-on, career-connected learning that prepares students to be college, career and future ready! CTE courses integrate 21st century skills, professional and technical skills, and core academic knowledge. Some CTE courses provide the opportunity to earn college credit or industry certification.  

CTE courses are organized by six different state-approved program areas:

1. Agriculture Education and Science
2. Business and Marketing
3. Family and Consumer Science
4. Health Science
5. Skilled and Technical Science
6. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

CTE courses within each program area align to 16 nationally recognized career clusters:

These classes integrate academics with technical skill development to help prepare students for higher-level courses in college and for high demand, high skill, high wage jobs. Middle schools and high schools offer a wide range of CTE classes. Check school course catalogs to find each school's CTE course offerings.

CTE Programs

Through a partnership with community and technical colleges in the state, certain CTE courses provide students with the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit for the course, if they complete the course with a grade of “B” or better. If a course qualifies for CTE Dual Credit, it will be noted in the course description, and teachers will provide students with information about how to register for CTE Dual Credit. Note: Students must register and pay a $50 fee (fee covers all CTE Dual Credit Courses) through the Pacific Northwest College Credit Consortium to be awarded college credit.

WANIC Skill Center offers high school programs that serve multiple school districts and delivers industry-defined Career and Technical Education programs in fields ranging from firefighting to computer game design and healthcare. Courses are available to prepare for careers in Automotive Technology; Art, Media, Communication & Design; Culinary Arts; Engineering, Science & Technology; Health & Human Services, and Information Technology. Some courses may also be available in the summer.

Skills Center classes are offered at many local high schools in our area, at DigiPen Institute of Technology, and at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Many skills center programs are offered both during and after the regular school day. Students may attend their home high school for part or all of their day and also attend skills center programs to earn additional high school credits at no cost to the student.

Post-secondary education and career exploration is part of every Career and Technical Education program. In addition, the College and Career Center at every comprehensive high school is there to provide information and guidance to students.  College and Career Specialists operate the Career Centers and assist students with post-secondary education and college exploration, college applications, and access to career-focused learning opportunities.

College & Career Specialists: