ASCEND

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

High school should do more than help students earn a diploma. It should help them to discover what they are good at, explore careers that interest them, and build the skills they need for what comes next. ASCEND is Oregon Charter Academy’s Career and Technical Education program. Through focused career pathways, hands-on projects, industry-connected learning, and personalized support, ASCEND helps students turn their interests into meaningful plans for college, career, and life. Whether students already know where they are headed or are still exploring their options, ASCEND gives them opportunities to learn by doing and graduate with confidence, experience, and purpose.

Why do students choose ASCEND?

ASCEND helps students:

Explore careers before making major college or employment decisions
Connect academic learning to meaningful, real-world applications
Develop a personalized plan for life after graduation
Build relationships with teachers, professionals, and students who share their interests
Complete hands-on projects and career-connected experiences
Strengthen their résumés, portfolios, and professional skills
Pursue certifications and college credit where available
Graduate prepared to enroll in college, enlist in service, enter the workforce, or pursue additional training

Learn from Experienced Educators

ASCEND students receive guidance from teachers who bring professional knowledge and industry experience into the classroom. Students learn not only what professionals know, but also how they communicate, solve problems, collaborate, and succeed in the workplace.

Earn Valuable Credentials

Selected pathways may provide opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications that demonstrate career-related knowledge/skills. Available

credentials vary by pathway, course sequence, student eligibility, and school year.

Access College-Level Opportunities

Students may have opportunities to earn college credit or complete college-aligned coursework while still in high school. These experiences can help students understand postsecondary expectations and begin working toward future certificates or degrees.

Your Future Starts Here

A student’s interests today can become the foundation for tomorrow’s opportunities. Through ASCEND, Oregon Charter Academy students do more than learn about careers. They begin developing the knowledge, experience, confidence, and connections needed to pursue them.

Questions about pathways, course requirements, certifications, or work-based learning opportunities? Contact the ASCEND Career Advisory Team to learn more.

ASCEND offers career pathways across business, technology, healthcare, public service, education, agriculture, the arts, engineering, and natural resources.

More Than Course Sequences

ASCEND is a connected high school experience designed to help students develop academic knowledge, technical abilities, and professional skills.

Business + Management - Develop the skills needed to lead, innovate, and succeed in today’s business world. Students explore entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, accounting, management, leadership, and business operations while learning how successful organizations turn ideas into results. Students interested in this pathway may consider careers in business ownership, marketing, management, finance, sales, human resources, or organizational leadership.
Computer Science - Move from technology user to technology creator. Students explore coding, cybersecurity, web development, game design, computer systems, and other rapidly evolving areas of technology. This pathway prepares students to continue their education or pursue careers in programming, software development, cybersecurity, information technology, digital design, and other technology-related fields.
Hospitality & Tourism Management - Learn what it takes to create outstanding guest experiences and manage successful hospitality and tourism organizations. Students explore lodging, travel, tourism, event planning, customer service, marketing, food service, and business operations. Students may prepare for careers in hotel management, tourism, event coordination, travel services, recreation, restaurant operations, and destination marketing.
Medical Science - Build a foundation for one of the nation’s most important and fast-changing career fields. Students explore medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient care, electronic health records, clinical procedures, and the many professions that make healthcare possible. Depending on their course sequence and eligibility, students may have opportunities to prepare for healthcare-related industry certifications and college-level study.
Ag/Veterinary Science - Explore careers involving animal health, veterinary care, agriculture, wildlife, and natural systems. Students learn about animal anatomy, diseases, clinical procedures, livestock, veterinary assisting, workplace safety, and the many ways professionals care for animals. Students may prepare for careers in veterinary medicine, animal care, agriculture, ranching, wildlife management, zoology, and related sciences.
Criminal Justice - Examine the systems, careers, and responsibilities involved in public safety and the administration of justice. Students explore law enforcement, corrections, criminology, forensic science, courts, ethics, and constitutional principles. This pathway can help students
prepare for further education and careers in law enforcement, emergency services, corrections, forensic science, law, security, and public administration.
Digital Arts & Media - Combine creativity and technology to communicate ideas, tell stories, and create engaging digital experiences. Students may explore graphic design, video, animation, photography, audio production, digital storytelling, and media creation. This pathway can support future study and careers in graphic design, filmmaking, animation, advertising, digital marketing, content creation, photography, and media production.
Education - Discover the impact educators can have on students, families, and communities. Students explore teaching, child and adolescent development, instructional practices, learning environments, communication, educational careers, and the role schools play in society. Students may prepare for further study and careers in teaching, counseling, educational support, school leadership, early childhood education, training, and youth development.
Engineering - Turn curiosity into solutions through design, analysis, and problem-solving. Students explore the engineering process, applied mathematics, technology, design principles, systems, and the development of solutions to real-world challenges. Students interested in this pathway may consider careers in mechanical, civil, electrical, environmental, manufacturing, aerospace, or computer engineering.
Environmental & Natural Resources - Explore the connections among people, land, water, wildlife, and healthy ecosystems. Students investigate
environmental science, conservation, natural-resource management, sustainability, forestry, agriculture, and outdoor careers. This pathway can prepare students for further study or careers in conservation, environmental science, forestry, fisheries, wildlife management, agriculture, parks, recreation, and natural-resource management.

ASCEND Pathways