Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares high school students for a wide range of careers. These careers require varying levels of education from high school and postsecondary certificates to college degrees. The primary areas of focus for Career and Technical Education are the attainment of academic and occupational skills.
At Helena High School, CTE includes Automotive, Business, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Drafting, Health Careers, Marketing, Welding and Woods.
Mrs. Roni Robertson
Montana Career Pathway: Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Auto I Semester Grades 10-12
Students will learn shop safety procedures, vehicle lifting, basic tool usage, engine, cooling, lubrication, fuel and ignition system operation and diagnosis, as well as basic vehicle maintenance. This is a good class for EVERY student to take!
Auto II Full Year Grades 11-12 (2 period class)
The students will learn the skills necessary to diagnose and repair small engines, electrical systems, brakes, steering and suspension systems. Throughout this course students have the opportunity to become student ASE certified in each section content.
Auto III Full Year Grade 12 (2 period class)
The students will learn the skills necessary to diagnose and repair automotive drive trains, advanced electrical, engine performance, engines, and HVAC. This is a capstone course in which students will be allotted a large amount of shop time for live vehicle repairs. ASE certification opportunities continue with the section content.
Mr. Kacey Askin
Mrs. Alane Dinsdale
Mrs. Samantha Humphrey
Montana Career Pathways: Business Management & Finance
The ability to use computers is one of the most important skills for the 21st Century. Business-related skills permeate every aspect of our lives, regardless of our chosen career field and give the extra edge when competing for jobs. These skills will also carry over into all other high school curriculum and are critical for Career and College Readiness.
Bengal Business-Computer Applications | Elective: 10 – 12 (9 with 7304) | Semester – .5 Credit |
Students work independently learning computer application skills that include Basic Elements of Design and Graphic Design II using Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator. Intermediate Microsoft Word and Excel.
Dual Credit through UM Helena: 3 Credits CAPP154 and CAPP156 and opportunity to receive 6 credits in all
Business Cooperative | Elective: 11 – 12 | Semester/Year .5 – 1 Credit |
Employed students can earn vocational credit for holding a job outside of school by working, completing work skills units, submitting worked hours and employer evaluations.
Career Planning | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester .5 Credit |
Basic Computers | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester .5 Credit |
Lays foundation for students to successfully use computers and the Internet throughout their high school and college careers. Highlights include improved keyboarding skills and knowledge of Office 365 Microsoft Word and processing business documents.
Tech Skills | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester .5 Credit |
Overview class covering beginning Microsoft Excel and Access plus Beginning Programming.
Consumer Math | Elective: 10 – 12 | Year 1 Credit |
Basic Math Skills proficiency and application of skills for understanding of earning and managing money, income taxes, independent living, and more.
Personal Finance | Elective: 10 – 12 | Year 1 Credit |
Personal Finance Skills for life that includes spending plans, saving, investing, credit, college funding, renting and home ownership; automobile financing; and more.
Law and Justice | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester .5 Credit |
Business & Personal Law with a focus on Criminal and Civil law and courtroom procedures through Mock Trial competition.
Accounting 1 | Elective: 10 – 12 | Year 1 Credit |
Introduction to Accounting Dual Credit — Accounting 101
3 Dual Credits—Helena College
JMG – Jobs for Montana’s Graduates | Elective: 11 – 12 | Year 1 Credit |
Career & College planning; Workplace Skills & Competencies; Leadership and learning through community service based projects.
Mr. Jonathan Driggers
Montana Career Pathway: Information Technology
The Computer Science program at Helena High helps to prepare students for postsecondary education, either 2 or 4 year, by helping to develop students’ programming, networking, and database skills.
Computer Science (Python & Java Programming) | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester – .5 Credit |
Computer Science is for students with a desire to develop programming fundamentals. Java and Python will be used to create console and window applications, and a student can take up to eight semesters of computer science. Python will be taught the first semester. The next five will use Java and build upon the previous semester(s). The final two semesters are used for advance study through independent programming projects.
Helena College Dual Credit: 3 Semester Credits after 1st Semester, 3 Semester Credits after 2nd Semester & 4 Semester Credits after 3rd Semester (10 Total)
Oracle Database Design and Programming | Elective: 9 – 12 | Full Year – 1 Credit |
Oracle Database Design and Programming is a yearlong course, which provides secondary students with the knowledge and skills to design and develop relational databases. Students will learn data modeling and will use Structured Query Language (SQL) to retrieve and manipulate data in an Oracle database. Students will also refine their professional skills by learning about project management, visual presentations, and job interviewing. At the end of the course the students may take the Introduction to Oracle 10g – SQL Certification exam. (Prerequisites: none)
Cisco CCNAv7 Program
Cisco 1 – Introduction to Networks | Elective: 9 – 12 | Full Year – 1 Credit |
Introduction to Networks (ITN) covers the architecture, structure, functions and components of the Internet and other computer networks. Students achieve a basic understanding of how networks operate and how to build simple local area networks (LAN), perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement Internet Protocol (IP).
Cisco 2 – Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials | Elective: 10 – 12 | Full Year – 1 Credit |
Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials (SRWE) covers the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small networks and introduces wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches for advanced functionality using security best practices and resolve common issues with protocols in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Networks)
Cisco 3 – Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation | Elective: 10 – 12 | Full Year – 1 Credit |
Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation (ENSA) describes the architecture, components, operations, and security to scale for large, complex networks, including wide area network (WAN) technologies. The course emphasizes network security concepts and introduces network virtualization and automation. Students learn how to configure, troubleshoot, and secure enterprise network devices and understand how application programming interfaces (API) and configuration management tools enable network automation.
(Prerequisite: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials)
Mr. Jake Spearson
Montana Career Pathway: Design and Construction
Fundamental Drafting | Year 1 | Grade 9-12 |
This course studies basic drafting skills. Students will complete drafting projects developing skills in Geometric Construction, Lettering, Three-View Projection and Dimensioning. Those desiring to develop basic drafting skills and who have any interest in engineering or architecture are encouraged to participate. (Dual Enrollment 3 credits)
Computer Aided Drafting (Autocad) | Year 2 | Grade 9-12 |
This course teaches students the basic Computer Aid CAD (AutoCAD) skills. Throughout this curriculum students will learn advanced drafting skills including Sections, Auxiliary View, and Working Drawings. This course is a prerequisite to 3D Printing & Mechanical Design and Architectural House Design. (Dual Enrollment 3 credits)
3D Printing & Mechanical Design | Year 3/4 | Grade 9-12 |
This course teaches students basic and advanced 3D rendering/modeling within a Autodesk Inventor software. Students will learn the five stages of the design process. Reverse engineering varies projects and 3D print throughout the curriculum. Students will publish varies online models they have designed and learn to work collaboratively with other students from around the State of Montana, on collaborative projects. (Dual Enrollment 3 credits)
Architectural Home Design | Year 3/4 | Grade 9-12 |
This course studies design techniques used in residential construction, while learning BIM (Building Information Modeling) Autodesk Revit Software. Students will develop a complete set of house plans using standards of planning and construction. Consideration will be given to floor plans, elevation, plot plans, wall sections, and cost of construction. (Dual Enrollment 3 credits)
Ms. Cassie Koch
Montana Career Pathway: Hospitality & Tourism
The Culinary Pathway includes a sequence of four courses leading to a career in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Intro to Culinary Arts is open to 9-12 as a semester class for developing personal cooking and nutrition skills. Students in Culinary I, II and III utilize the National Restaurant Association curriculum ProStart. Culinary I and II develop the student’s skills in culinary arts and expose the students to the world of professional cooking. Students have opportunities to work with industry partners in outside caterings and events. Culinary III is the capstone experience for the culinary student, offering the opportunity for dual credit from Missoula College in Safety and Sanitation, externships with local chefs and state and national competitions.
Culinary I, II and III are 2-hour block classes for Juniors and Seniors who have successfully passed Intro to Culinary or can pass the class final exam with work experience knowledge. Application details available from the counseling center.
Intro to Culinary Arts and Nutrition | Elective: 9 – 12 | Semester .5 Credit |
The first course of the series is Intro to Culinary Arts is open to all students, one semester. The course is designed to introduce basic nutrition and cooking skills for individual and family cooking. The course is based on a whole foods approach with an emphasis on sustainability, local, and fresh foods, safety and sanitation, nutrition basics, the relationship between disease and diet and food culture in American life.
Culinary I | Elective: 11-12 | Semester (2-hour block) 1 Credit |
Culinary I is an exciting and innovative hospitality/culinary arts education designed specifically for students interested in a career in the food and hospitality industry. The course is based on the National Restaurant Association program, ProStart, which provides classroom training in all aspects of culinary careers including job seeking skills, management, nutrition and food preparation skills. Two-hour block class, signature of instructor required with application. Application available in Rm 50 or Counseling Office.
(Prerequisite: Intro to Culinary Arts or signature of instructor with passing semester exam at 75% without class prerequisite.)
Culinary II | Elective: 11–12 | Semester (2-hour block) 1 Credit |
Culinary II continues the study of a professional career in hospitality /culinary arts. Catering for the school events will be part of the culinary arts curriculum. Two-hour block class, signature of instructor required with application. Application available in Rm 50 or Counseling Office. (Prerequisite: Culinary I)
Culinary III | Elective: 12 | Semester (2-hour block) 1 Credit |
Culinary III is the capstone experience for students who have successfully completed Intro, Culinary I and II. Safety and Sanitation 105 – is integrated into the class for those who would like dual credit / manager certificate from ServSafe. Students may be involved in a competition team, training with a chef mentor and work independently in externships/internships in the community. Application available in Rm 50 or Counseling Office. (Prerequisite: Culinary II)
Mr. Manny Garza
Mr. Tyler Hollow
Ms. Claire Pichette
Ms. Christine Thennis
Montana Career Pathway: Health Professions
The Health Professions Pathway consists of the 4-year Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program as well as Health Careers Exploration and Athletic Training.
Project Lead The Way® Biomedical Sciences program is a high school program designed for students interested in Health Science careers. The program is divided into four sections, each section building upon the previous. This dynamic program uses hands-on, real-world problems to engage and challenge students.
Principles of Biomedical Science (Biomed 1) Elective 9 – 10 Full Year – 1 Credit
In this course, students explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real-world problems. Over the course of the year, students are challenged in various scenarios including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing, and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems.
Human Body Systems (Biomed 2) Elective 10 – 11 Full Year – 1 Credit
Students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal manikin, work through interesting real-world cases and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries. (Suggested prerequisite: 7610 Biomed 1 or Biomed teacher approval)
Medical Interventions (Biomed 3) Elective 11 – 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Students investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictitious family. The course is a “How-To” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body as students explore: how to prevent and fight infection; how to screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; how to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and how to prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through these scenarios, students are exposed to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course as well as the important roles scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future. (Suggested prerequisite: 7620 Biomed 2 or Biomed teacher approval)
Biomedical Innovations (BioMed 4) Elective 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Students in Biomedical Innovations (Biomed 4) will be challenged with project-based learning by conducting independent research, designing an innovation, exploring environmental health, applying real-world experience for improving emergency medicine and completing an independent project in an area of interest. This course is designed to provide students time to immerse themselves in solving real-world problems. Students will present their work to the community at the end of the year. This course is designed for 12th grade students that want to further their knowledge in biomedicine and improve their research skills. (Suggested prerequisites: Either 7630-Medical Interventions or three science classes (or concurrently enrolled in the 3rd science class))
Health Careers Exploration Elective 11-12 Full Year—2 Credits
The Health Career Exploration Class is a two-hour class (1 credit per semester) designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge for health occupations. The class is two semesters and is offered as an elective class or for vocational credit to juniors and seniors. The class emphasizes training in medical terminology, basic health care skills, basic human anatomy, safety practices and ethics. Instruction is delivered through the classroom, laboratory, practicum, and job shadowing settings. After successful completion of this class the students will be eligible to obtain a Certified Nursing Assistant certification, and students will find options for employment or further education in health care professions.
(Prerequisites: Passing grades in two (2) years of math and (2) years of science as well as successfully completing the application process available from the counseling department)
Athletic Training/First Aid Elective: 10 – 12 Semester – .5 Credit
Students will learn the basic principles of athletic training. These experiences will include anatomy, the basics of injury assessment and taping for injury prevention, as well as exploration of professional careers related to physical education
and athletic training. The class will also teach the basic procedures for First Aid and offer an opportunity for certification in First Aid. Fee required. (Prerequisite: Students successfully passing Freshman H.P. and instructor signature)
Mr. Kacey Askin
Montana Career Pathway: Marketing
Marketing Education prepares students in the area of marketing, business and communications. Strategies of these classes will strengthen students’ knowledge in entrepreneurship, management, product planning and development, advertising, and promotion. The program primarily uses the “hands-on” approach to learning including actual product development and operation of the Helena High School store, the Catty Shack. Job Co-Op is another actual work experience option available to students enrolled in Marketing 1 or Small Business Management. In addition, students are eligible to take advantage of DECA membership allowing for participation in community service projects, event planning, competition, and travel!
Marketing 1 Elective: 9 – 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Marketing 1 is intended for those who want to learn business operations and develop basic employment skills. If you want to continue your education in business administration, management, marketing, advertising, public relations or simply choose to enter the business world, give this course serious thought. You will receive experience in business communications, sports and entertainment marketing, product development, business planning, advertising-including social and digital media marketing, sales, and customer service. This class also allows for opportunities in DECA which plans and implements Night to Shine and options to compete at state and national levels in marketing and business entrepreneurship.
Marketing 2 – Sports & Entertainment Management Elective: 10 – 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Marketing 2 – Sports & Entertainment Marketing is a course designed to assist students to expand their understanding of marketing concepts and theories and apply to sports and entertainment marketing and management of events. The areas this course will include are basic marketing, target marketing and segmentation, sponsorship, event marketing, promotions, sponsorship proposals, and implementation of sports and entertainment marketing plans. This course will also delve into developing and implementing promotion plans and event evaluation and management techniques of scheduled athletic, theatre and music events held at Helena High School. This class allows for opportunities in DECA which plans and implements Night to Shine and options to compete at state and national levels in marketing and business entrepreneurship. (Prerequisite: Marketing 1)
Small Business Management Year 1/Catty Shack Elective: 10 – 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Small Business Management Year 2/Catty Shack Elective: 10 – 12 Full Year – 1 Credit
Small Business Management 1 & 2 (SBM) is an advanced course in business ownership, management and marketing. You will study entrepreneurship topics covering merchandising and display, financing, advertising layout and design, and additional aspects of creating a business plan. This class primarily revolves around operating the Helena High School store, the Catty Shack. The Catty Shack is a retail-training laboratory which provides opportunity for development of skills and knowledge through “hands-on” experience in purchasing, selling, pricing, promotion, product and service planning, customer service, individual and group critical thinking and decision-making skills. (Prerequisite: Small Business Management 1 for Small Business Management 2)
Dual Credit (3 Credits) – University of Iowa
Mrs. Cindy Galbavy
Montana Career Pathway: Welding and Fabrication
Welding I Full Year Grades 9-12
Introduction to SMAW (Arc), OFW (Gas) and GMAW (MIG) Welding.
Welding II Full Year Grades 10-12 (2 Period Class)
Introduces advanced welding techniques. Students are expected to design and fabricate projects.
Dual Credit Option: Helena College Industrial Safety for Welding 107-1, Missoula College Welding 180
Welding III Full Year Grades 11-12 (2 Period Class)
This is an advanced course that will further your welding knowledge. The focus of this course will be to strengthen and advance student welding and engineering skills as they apply to personal metal manufacturing projects, careers, and related industrial certifications.
Dual Credit Option: Helena College Industrial Safety for Welding 107-1, Missoula College Welding 180
Welding IV Full Year Grades 11-12 (2 Period Class)
This is a lab based, project-oriented class that is designed for employment readiness. The class is designed to prepare the student for post-secondary education or employment. Students will focus on writing skills and building a portfolio for employment or post-secondary education. Students will train for AWS and NCCER welding certifications in conjunction with Helena College.
Dual Credit Option: Helena College Industrial Safety for Welding 107-1, Missoula College Welding 180
Welding/Manufacturing Co-op Full Year Grade 11-12 Student must be 18 years old Cooperative welding/manufacturing education is a program in which welding students who, through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employers.
Helena High students create art by welding KTVH Class Act – May 4, 2016
Mr. Jason Hartwick
Montana Career Pathway: Design and Construction
Fundamental Woodworking and Design Full Year Grade 9—12 (1 Period Class)
Introductory drafting and basic woodworking.
Intermediate Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Full Year Grades 10—12 (2 Period Class)
Introduces students to basics of construction, design, housebuilding, and finish cabinetry.
Advanced Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Full Year Grades 11—12 (2 Period Class)
Students will refine finish carpentry skills learned in Intermediate level. Strong emphasis on Finish work and personal projects.
(Prerequisite Intermediate Carpentry)