Middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs expose students to a variety of careers and industries, helping them explore and connect their interests and passions to their future education and career goals. These programs help students develop foundational skills that can be transferred to a wide range of programs in high school. Understanding their own interests and the opportunities offered locally gives students confidence when making course and pathway selections as they enter high school, which has been proven to lower dropout rates of at-risk students.
Why Start in Middle School?
Make the Connection
Want to explore how your interests connect to careers?
Share your results with your school counselor to learn more about your career and course options.
Find a Middle School Program
DC CTE is proud to work with public and charter schools across the District to offer CTE programming and career exploration starting in middle school. While programs are not offered at every middle school yet, we are working with school leaders to offer at least one CTE course in every middle school starting in the 2024–2025 school year.
Active Middle School Programs
DC Public Schools
Campus |
Grant Year |
CTE Programs and Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Hart | 2021–2023 | Learn more about the courses and programs offered at this DCPS middle school here. |
| Eliot-Hine | 2021–2023 | Learn more about the courses and programs offered at this DCPS middle school here |
| Kelly Miller | 2021–2023 | Learn more about the courses and programs offered at this DCPS middle school here |
| Stephen Kramer | 2021–2023 | Learn more about the courses and programs offered at this DCPS middle school here |
| Hardy | 2022–2024 |
|
| John Hayden Johnson | 2022–2024 |
|
| Wheatley Education Campus | 2022–2024 |
|
District Charter Schools
School |
Grant Year |
CTE Programs and Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship Public Charter Schools: Armstrong, Blow Pierce, Chamberlain, Ideal, Southeast, Woodbridge | 2022–2024 |
|
| Sojourner Truth Public Charter School | 2022–2024 |
|
| Monument Academy | 2022–2024 |
|
| Howard University Middle School | 2022–2024 |
|
| DC International School | 2022–2024 |
|
Bring Programs to Your Middle School
Middle School Expansion Grant
Applications for the 2022 Middle School Expansion Grant closed on October 3, 2022. This school year, 12 schools will be awarded funding to begin their first year of building out middle school CTE programs and four schools will be continuing their 2nd year of grant funding. Another eight middle schools will be awarded grant funds in the 2023–2024 school year. Check back for more information and the application opening in June 2023.
Expand Your Middle School Offerings
Does your business or organization want to support CTE learning for middle school students?
DC CTE connects organizations who can offer industry-related events, workplace tours, mentorship, internships, and more with local middle school students. Contact Francesca Glover with information about how your business or organization would like to get involved at Francesca.Glover@dc.gov, or fill out our contact form.
