Career Technical Education (CTE)
CTE connects students to hands-on learning, real-world skills, and high-quality career pathways. Our programs prepare students for college, technical training, apprenticeships or direct entry into Idaho’s workforce.
Explore CTE Pathways
Our CTE programs align with Idaho’s in-demand careers and local industry needs. Students can take introductory courses, complete full pathways, earn industry certifications, and participate in work-based learning experiences.
Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
Classes in AFNR focus on the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing and development of agricultural commodities and natural resources, including food, fiber, wood products, horticulture and animal systems.
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​Students explore everything from agribusiness to environmental stewardship.
Programs offered at Gem High School under this program area include:
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Introductory Course
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Introduction to Agriculture Plant Industry
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A 1 semester course at Gem High School
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Taught by Jane Doe
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Intermediate Course
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Plant and Soil Science*
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A 2 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Jane Doe
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Capstone Course
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Agricultural Business and Economics*
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Jane Doe
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​Agribusiness
* Students who complete these courses may be eligible for dual credit at Sample Technical College. Students must connect with a career counselor to qualify.
Business & Marketing Education
Business classes center on planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business operations. Marketing courses introduce students to strategies for planning, managing and performing marketing activities that help organizations reach their goals.
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These programs develop strong communication, management, entrepreneurship, and financial skills.​
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Introductory Course
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Business Computer Applications I
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A 1 semester course at Crystal High School
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Taught by Maxine Cruise
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Intermediate Course
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Accounting I
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A 1 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Jordan Ramirez
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Capstone Course
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Accounting II*
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Jordan Ramirez​
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Programs offered at Crystal High School under this program area include:
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* Students who complete these courses may be eligible for dual credit at Sample Technical College. Students must connect with a career counselor to qualify. ​​​
Engineering & Technology Education
Courses include architecture, engineering, information technology and digital media. Architecture focuses on designing and planning the built environment. Engineering covers planning, managing and providing technical services, testing and research. Information technology includes the design, development, support and management of hardware, software and multimedia systems. Digital media introduces students to visual design, journalism, broadcasting, animation and other creative content fields. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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These programs teach students to solve real-world problems through design, innovation and applied technology.
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Introductory Course
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Fundamentals of Engineering Technology
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A 1 semester course at Gem High School
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Taught by Maria Cortez
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Intermediate Course
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Robotics Engineering
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A 1 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Maria Cortez
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Capstone Course
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EbD Engineering Design*
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Maria Cortez
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* Students who complete these courses may be eligible for dual credit at Sample Technical College. Students must connect with a career counselor to qualify.​
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Programs offered at Gem High School under this program area include:
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​Pre-Engineering ​​
Family & Consumer Sciences & Human Services
Courses include hospitality and tourism, culinary arts, nutrition and wellness, human development, education and early childhood, human services, apparel and textiles, fashion and interior design and consumer and family resource management. These programs also build employability skills such as communication, ethics, resiliency, and work-life balance. Pathways may include hospitality and culinary arts, education and human services, visual arts and design and cosmetology.
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These programs prepare students for careers that support families and communities.
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Introductory Course
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Foundational Foods
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A 1 semester course at Crystal High School
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Taught by Yafang Long
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Intermediate Course
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Food and Nutrition
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A 1 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Yafang Long
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Capstone Course
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Advanced Culinary Arts
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Yafang Long
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Programs offered at Crystal High School under this program area include:
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Health Professions & Public Safety
Health professions classes introduce students to therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, biotechnology and health support services. Public safety classes focus on law enforcement, emergency response, fire science, criminal justice, and homeland security.
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These programs prepare students for careers in supporting health and safety.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Introductory Course
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Fundamentals of Health Professions
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A 1 semester course at Crystal High School
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Taught by Lana Nguyen
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Intermediate Course
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Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions
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A 1 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Lana Nguyen
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Capstone Course
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Nursing Assistant
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Natalie Patel​​​​​
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Programs offered at Crystal High School under this program area include:
Trades & Industry
Manufacturing focuses on planning, managing and performing the processing of materials into products, as well as production planning and quality control. Transportation covers the movement of people and goods by road, rail, air, water and pipeline, along with logistics and equipment maintenance. Construction introduces students to designing, planning, building and maintaining residential, commercial and industrial structures.
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These programs prepare students for careers in manufacturing, transportation, and construction.
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Introductory Course
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Manufacturing Careers Exploration
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A 1 semester course at Gem High School
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Taught by Marcos Garcia
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Intermediate Course
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Welding I & II
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A 2 semester course at Idaho Technical Center
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Taught by Carmen Santos
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Capstone Course
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Welding III
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​The 1 semester capstone course at Idaho Technical Center​
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Taught by Carmen Santos​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Individualized Occupational Training
IOT provides customized work-based learning for students whose career interests fall outside the CTE pathways offered at their school or district. Students participate in workplace experiences, career exploration, and hands-on learning with local employers.
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Examples of work-based learning experiences include: <Career Area Name>
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Students interested in a work-based learning opportunity should contact the IOT Instructor to discuss further: Raven Luo, r.luo@iot.edu, 208-400-0000. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Programs offered at Gem High School under this program area include:
Career Technical Student Organizations
Career technical student organizations (CTSOs) give students leadership experience, teamwork skills, and real-world opportunities to compete at the local, state, and national levels. For more information on our CTSOs, see our CTSO page.
Workforce Readiness
& CTE Diploma
Students who complete an approved CTE pathway program may earn Idaho’s Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma. This diploma recognizes students who have demonstrated the knowledge, technical skills and professional competencies needed to transition successfully into college, apprenticeships, military service, or the workforce.
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To earn the Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma, students must:
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Complete all graduation requirements established by the Idaho State Board of Education.
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Complete a CTE pathway that culminates with a capstone course as a junior or senior.
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Pass a Technical Skills Assessment (TSA).
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Pass a Workplace Readiness Assessment (WRA).
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Demonstrate competency of CTE program standards by earning all SkillStack® microcredentials for their pathway or an approved industry certification. ​
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This diploma signals to employers, colleges, and training providers that students have the real-world skills and career readiness required for advanced opportunities and entry-level employment in Idaho’s high-demand industries. For full diploma requirements, visit the Idaho Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma page. ​
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Students who earn the CTE Diploma will receive a diploma seal and CTE graduation cords.
Work with Us: Industry Partners
Strong industry partnerships ensure our programs stay aligned with workforce needs. Local employers can serve on technical advisory committees, provide classroom presentations, host job shadows or internships, and support student projects and competitions.
To partner with us, contact: Carmen Santos at c.santos@samplesd.com. Info>