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Career and Technical Education (CTE)

CTE Courses Offered at Gaston Virtual Academy

Gaston County Schools offers a wide range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses to help students explore future careers and gain real-world skills. At Ashbrook High School, students can choose from several hands-on CTE classes, including:

  • Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Sales 
  • Sport and Event Marketing

These courses give students a chance to learn valuable job skills, explore career paths, and prepare for life after graduation.

Proof of Learning (POL)
All students enrolled in a CTE course must complete a Proof of Learning (POL) assessment. This project or exam counts as 20% of the student’s final grade and helps show what they’ve learned in the course.

WorkKeys Assessment
Seniors who complete a full four-course CTE career cluster, including at least one advanced-level course, will take the WorkKeys assessment. Developed by ACT, WorkKeys measures essential job skills. Eligible students can earn a National Career Readiness Certificate—a valuable credential recognized by employers across the country.

CTE Courses Offered at the Middle School Level

Students can explore careers in technology, trades, health, and human services through programs such as:

  • Keyboarding and Basic Word Processing: Get better at typing using the touch method. Practice creating simple documents with correct formatting. Build strong typing skills to use technology well.
  • Introduction to Office Productivity: Learn about word processing features and how to use them. Find out how to plan and give a good multimedia presentation. Explore how spreadsheets work and what they do.
  • Introduction to Computer Science: This course teaches students the basic ideas of computing and how they apply in real life. Students will learn about cybersecurity, programming, data protection, artificial intelligence, using technology safely, and how technology has changed over time. By the end, students will understand these important ideas and how they affect the digital world today.

Our career exploration opportunities give students a strong foundation for the future in a fun and engaging way.