Eighth-graders spend day experiencing CTE, elective options

March 6, 2025 / Henley Middle School eighth-graders spent a day at Henley High School March 5, exploring Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and other electives available to them when they enter high school in the fall.

The 225 students rotated through hands-on, interactive stations representing the nine CTE pathways offered at Henley – ag mechanics, ag science, business, construction, digital media design, education, engineering, medical science, Air Force Junior ROTC government and public administration. Many of these career-oriented pathways offer opportunities for college course alignment and college dual credit.  For more photos: CTE Day 2025

Students also explored world languages and music program and learned about Henley’s FFA program, which manages a greenhouse and raises steers, lambs, and chickens.

“The purpose is to have eighth-graders engage in activities designed to introduce them to various career fields and the skills they can develop at Henley High School,” said Gretchen Iverson, Henley’s CTE coordinator.

In January, eighth-graders took an aptitude test called YouScience, which offers brain challenges that measure individual strengths, pointing students to career cluster options. The results are meant to provide insight to strengths students may not realize they have.

The goal of CTE Day and YouScience testing is for incoming ninth-graders to be able to make more informed choices on classes or education pathways they can pursue in high school. This is the fourth year incoming eighth-graders have participated in Henley’s CTE Day.

As part of the event, a tour of Henley’s CTE facilities was offered to community members as well.