Career & Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Evanston Township High School provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for both college and careers. CTE brings together classroom learning, technical training, and real-world experience, allowing students to make connections and discover a path forward that feels right for them.

CTE at ETHS offers a wide range of pathways, including fields such as health sciences, engineering, business, information technology, culinary arts, and more. Through CTE courses, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that employers value.

What CTE Offers

Exploration	CTE helps students discover their passions, identify their talents, and find potential careers that align with their interests and strengths.
Practical Hands-on Experience	Students develop technical skills that are valued by employers—from culinary arts and health care to auto maintenance, engineering, welding, and more.
Pathways to Success	CTE prepares students for employment, advanced training, or continued education at a college or technical school.
Certifications and Credentials	Some CTE programs enable you to earn industry certifications alongside your high school diploma, opening the doors to higher education and employment.

CTE Program Highlights 

ETHS is proud to offer a range of CTE programs designed to prepare students for their future. These courses enable students to connect their passions and talents with real-world skills.

You can view the ETHS Course Catalog for the full list of CTE programs and more information about each course.

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Project Lead the Way Distinguished School

ETHS is proud to be recognized as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School, offering a nationally recognized curriculum in Engineering. ETHS offers eight (8) PLTW-recognized engineering courses that give students a chance to explore the field of engineering, solve real-world problems, and collaborate with their peers.

PLTW courses blend national academic and technical standards with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) principles to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need for future study and employment in high-demand fields.

Students may be eligible to earn college credit through PLTW’s affiliated colleges and universities based on their course grade and performance on the PLTW End of Course Exam. PLTW classes also carry additional grade weight, similar to Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Look for the PLTW Ⓟ symbol in ETHS’s Course Selection Guide for more details.

PLTW courses are more challenging than regular classes. Accordingly, PLTW courses have weighted grades, adding 1.0 to the grade value. In addition, students may be eligible to earn college credit at PLTW affiliated colleges and universities based on their course grade and performance on the PLTW End of Course Assessment.

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Certifications

ETHS offers several industry-recognized certifications that students can earn while they’re still in high school—helping them get a head start on employment or further training after graduation. These certifications demonstrate competency and readiness for high-demand career fields and can be a powerful addition to a student’s resume.

Certification opportunities vary by program and may include:

• Automotive Service Excellence Student Cerrtification (Brakes)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Gateways to Opportunity Level 1 Early Care and Eduation (ECE)
• OSHA 10-hour Safety
• Pharmacy Technician
• ServSafe Food Handler
• ServSafe Food Manager