Career and Technical Education Program (CTE)

Chandler Park Academy’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs provide students instruction and experience in the real-world application of academic skills, industry-based skill standards, and interpersonal workplace skills and behaviors to become entry-level ready for employment and/or post-secondary education. We offer students an opportunity to acquire skills in the following high skill, high wage, and high demand, career-focused programs: Accounting, Construction Trades, Graphic Design, Marketing, Sales & Service, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, JROTC, and Web Design/Development.

All of CPA’s career and technical education programs follow the district’s policies of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, disability, height, weight or marital status in all programs, activities and employment. In addition, arrangements can be made to ensure that the lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation.

Students who complete one of CPA’s two-year Career and Technical Education programs may qualify for articulated credits through articulation agreements with the following schools: Baker College, Davenport University, Macomb Community College, or Washtenaw Community College. The number of credits earned is determined by the program completed and the post-secondary school attended. Once a student has decided to attend one of the post-secondary schools Chandler Park has an articulation agreement with they must speak with an advisor at that school to determine the number of articulated credits they may be eligible for. No tuition is charged for any credits the student will receive based on the articulation agreement.

Introduction to Web Design – This course is designed to provide students with the vocabulary and concepts required to develop a Web site. The students will use their computer skills to learn how to develop their own web page sites. Simple coding assignments using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used to teach basic Web Design including the use of images, hyperlinks, tables, forms, video, and audio. The class will focus on web page planning, basic design, layout, and construction (effective and ineffective), setup.  As an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages and websites students learn how to critically evaluate website quality, learn how to create and maintain quality web pages, learn about web design standards and why they are important, and learn to create and manipulate images. It will introduce students to the integration of various media into programming assignments. Students will also be introduced to the basic design elements used in interactive media. (Prerequisite Business Technology)

Web DesignThe class will focus not only on web page planning, basic design, layout, and construction (effective and ineffective) setup but also on the maintenance of a website as well.  Careers in Web and Digital Technology Communications involve creating, designing, and producing interactive multimedia products and services, including the development of digitally-generated or computer-enhanced media used in business, training, entertainment, communications, and marketing. Students will be provided with information regarding the use of web pages in the world of work in addition to how they can enhance the success of a business.  This course is designed to provide the necessary skills and training for an entry-level position in the field of Web Design. (Prerequisite Introduction to Web Design)

Accounting – This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of accounting procedures, including analyzing and journalizing business transactions; constructing worksheets; calculating and recording adjusting entries; preparing financial statements; principles of income measurement and asset valuation, and finalizing the accounting cycle through closing entries. Special journals, subsidiary accounts, and payroll reports, and taxes will also be introduced.  Students will be introduced to computer software applications that can be used to expedite the accounting process. All students, regardless of the career they choose, can benefit from accounting instruction in their own personal business affairs.

Marketing, Sales & Service, Marketing & Entrepreneurship – The Marketing courses provide students a foundation of the principles and concepts of marketing, as well as retail management. Students will learn about product promotion, planning, budgeting, and the nature and scope of sales. The students will focus on planning, owning and running a small business, including the legal requirements.​

During the second year, the students advance their foundational skills of the general principles and concepts of marketing and are exposed to more advanced topics including employability skills, sales, and management, inventory, marketing research, finance and ownership. Students develop the skills necessary to become upwardly mobile and explore career goals, including the legal requirements, which are required to start their own business. Students may be eligible to earn college credit.

Construction Trades – This course provides students foundational skills needed for careers in the construction and building trades industries. Students learn industry-related vocabulary, scale/blueprint reading, construction calculations, measuring, and job safety on the proper handling of a variety of tools used in construction, ranging from basic hand-tools to modern power tools/equipment. Students complete projects such as framing structures and roofs, the application of siding, installation of fixtures, tile installation, drywall, plumbing, electrical, ceramic tile and more. Basic math, as well as builder’s math, will be learned through daily instruction and homework.

Second-year students advance the skills learned in Building Trades 1 and may have the opportunity to work on a residential single-family home.

Students may be eligible to earn college credit.

Students interested in pursuing a career in the building trades – whether as a tradesman, construction manager, engineers, architects, or designers – would benefit from the completion of CPA’s two-year program in Construction Trades.

Graphic Design – Graphic Design is all around you. It truly is everywhere! Whether it is on the side of a coffee cup, on your T-shirt, or within your favorite social media apps, it is impossible to go a day without seeing some form of graphic design. This CTE course is designed for students who are interested in expressing themselves both visually and digitally.

​In this class, students learn about graphic design principles, basic photography, image manipulation, many forms of typography, and design layout through the completion of print and multimedia-based assignments. Projects include logos, posters, magazine spreads, advertising, booklets, and photo retouching. This course uses the Adobe Creative Suite including learning to use programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. While learning the print process and being able to produce finished work. 

Second-year students complete more advanced projects and work on preparing an online portfolio for college.  Any student who enters the class with a positive and creative attitude and is willing and able to perform at a level above standard will be ready for college and/or entry-level jobs in the industry.

JROTC – This course includes classroom instruction and laboratory instruction in the history, customs, traditions, and purpose of Army JROTC. It contains the development of basic leadership skills to include leadership principles, values, and attributes. Development of core skills students should master an appreciation for diversity and active learning strategies are integrated throughout the course. It prepares students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as Americans. The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens. The program promotes graduation from high school and provides instructional opportunities, which benefit the student, community, and nation.

Download the Career and Technical Education Manual