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At Montague High School, students are given a unique opportunity to pursue two distinct academic and career pathways: the Advanced Placement (AP) program and the Career Tech Center (CTC). Both programs provide rigorous and tailored experiences for students looking to either enter college or head directly into the workforce.
Career Tech Center: Hands-On Experience for Industry Readiness
The CTC offers over 17 vocational programs aimed at providing students with practical, hands-on experience across a range of industries. Each program is led by instructors with industry experience, often with professional credentials, giving students a clear insight into the realities of their chosen fields. Programs like welding, auto body, and culinary arts provide students with invaluable skills, preparing them for immediate entry into the workforce upon graduation.
Students like Alix Draves, who is enrolled in the hospitality and food management program, gain real-world experience by working in a fully equipped kitchen alongside professional chefs. This program also offers unique opportunities, such as participating in the ProStart competition, a convention where culinary students demonstrate their skills in a format similar to the popular Iron Chef competition.
One standout aspect of CTC is its close alignment with industry needs, frequently hosting job fairs and hiring events. Fields such as construction trades even offer direct hiring events with local contractors, providing a clear pathway from education to employment. Through projects like Cultivate Michigan, a partnership with Michigan State University, CTC students also contribute to initiatives that promote local produce in schools, further deepening their connection to the community.
Advanced Placement Classes: Academic Preparation for College-Bound Students
For students with an academic focus, Montague’s AP program offers classes such as AP English Language, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science. These courses provide challenging college-level material to prepare students for post-secondary education. Many AP students, like Cole Herremans, balance their AP classes with other academic commitments to build strong transcripts for college applications.
Unlike CTC students, who often split their day between Montague High and the CTC campus, AP students typically maintain a full day of traditional academic classes. While this can sometimes create a heavier workload, AP students gain a head start in college-level subjects and often receive college credits, giving them a competitive advantage in the college admissions process.
Pathways with Equal Value
The culture at Montague High School recognizes the equal importance of both pathways. For some students, CTC’s hands-on, career-focused approach aligns well with their goals, providing industry certifications and direct job experience that can lead to immediate employment. For others, AP classes serve as a foundation for their academic pursuits, giving them skills and knowledge that will ease their transition into college.
Montague’s College and Career Advisor plays a pivotal role in guiding students, whether they are preparing for college, entering the workforce, or joining the military. The support offered ensures that each student, regardless of their path, is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed.
Montague High School’s dual offering of CTC and AP programs underscores a commitment to providing students with tailored educational experiences. By allowing students to explore both vocational and academic pathways, Montague High ensures that each graduate is prepared, confident, and ready to step into their future—whether that future leads to a college campus, a career, or beyond.
