Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Office of Teaching and Learning will hold information nights at middle and high schools next month for parents and students interested in learning about Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Advanced Placement (AP) pathway and the dual enrollment/early college programs.

Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., is strengthening the school system’s efforts to ensure CCPS students are college and career ready (CCR) by graduation. To do so, CCPS is stressing to middle and high school students the importance of importance of enrolling in one of the three options — AP classes, a CTE program or dual enrollment/early college program.

During the information night, CCPS staff will go over the application timeline and the requirements for the different programs. The Career Exploration program — which starts in sixth grade and helps students build individual career exploration plans — will also be discussed. A meeting will be recorded and available to view at www.ccboe.com later for those who cannot attend an in-person meeting.

The information night schedule is below. Keep in mind the dates of the information nights are subject to change. Before going, check with the school or call the CTE office at 301-934-7303.

Note: Meetings are open to all CCPS middle and high school students and their families regardless of the child’s home school. Find the meeting below that fits best with your family’s schedule. Addresses for schools are available on pages 36-37 of the 2024-2025 Parent Handbook/Calendar or the school’s website at www.ccboe.com.

• Henry E. Lackey High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 3.
• Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 8.
• Westlake High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 9.
• Piccowaxen Middle School, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 10.
• John Hanson Middle School, 6 p.m., Oct. 10.
• Theodore G. Davis Middle School, 5 p.m., Oct. 10.
• St. Charles High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 14.
• General Smallwood Middle School, 6 p.m., Oct. 16.
• Mattawoman Middle School, 6 p.m., Oct. 17.
• Matthew Henson Middle School, 7 p.m., Oct. 22.
• La Plata High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 22.
• Thomas Stone High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 23.
• Milton M. Somers Middle School, 5 p.m., Oct. 24.

Spotlight on CTE nights

North Point High School will hold a Spotlight on Career and Technical Education (CTE) night 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9. Current eighth-grade students and their parents can visit to learn more about the application-based CTE programs housed at the school. Potential students will have the opportunity to visit up to three CTE classroom of their choice to talk to the instructors. During the event, attendees can learn more about the application process and explore the pathways at North Point. For more information, contact Jennifer Condo, North Point’s admission’s counselor, at jcondo@ccboe.com or 301-753-1759.

The Robert D. Stethem Educational Center will hold a CTE Spotlight for current high school sophomores from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Oct. 17. Potential students can visit the center to learn more about the programs at the center such as the Academy of Health Professions, pharmacy tech, physical rehabilitation, automotive tech, barbering, CASE: Natural Resources and HVAC. For more information, contact Darien Prince, Stethem's CTE coordinator, at dsprince@ccboe.com or 301-753-1757.

McDonough's CTE Spotlight is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 23, for current eighth-grade students. The application-based programs housed at McDonough include dance, graphic communications, interactive media and theater. For more information, contact Jana Heyl, at jheyl@ccboe.com or 301-753-1755. 

Following the information nights, eighth-grade students and sophomores will learn more about CTE in school during October. The CTE application window is open from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8. Students will be notified of CTE acceptance, denial or waitlist status in February.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).