The School of Technology (SOT) offers career technical training to Shelby County high school students through both 2-hour elective courses and a full-day Career Academy Program (CAPS). Students in the CAPS program can earn technical certifications in fields like automotive technology, welding, healthcare science, and more while receiving the same academic curriculum as their home high school. The SOT aims to prepare students for post-secondary education or careers through hands-on learning, competitions, potential scholarships, and developing work ethics and leadership skills.

1. School of Technology SOT TITANS

3. Basic technical skills for entry level jobs.

4. Two-year certification in field of study.

5. Technical skills transferable to secondary schools: University, Community Colleges and/or Technical Schools.

7. Competitions in regional, state and national levels.

8. Scholarships

10. Career Technical Courses CISCO Networking Collision Repair Cosmetology Culinary Arts

11. Career Technical Courses Drafting/Engineering/Architecture Electrician Healthcare Science Public Service

12. Career Technical Courses Welding

13. How Do I Get There? THERE ARE 2 WAYS: ONE WAY LEAVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AND COME TO THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY FOR 2 HOURS FOR AN ELECTIVE COURSE. OR High School YOU CAN TRAVEL BY BUS OR CAR School of Technology

14. How Do I Get There? SECOND WAY: AS AN ALL DAY STUDENT…… IN THE CAREER ACADEMY PROGRAM ! WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE!

15. TELL ME MORE The Career Academy Program is offered for all eight Shelby County high school students in the 10th, 11thand 12th grade. WHY WOULD MY CHILD WANT TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY ALL DAY? The CAPS Program provides a smaller environment, more one-on-one with teachers, career planning and better focus.

16. TELL ME MORE SOUNDS INTERESTING…BUT DIFFERENT BENEFITS Smaller classes Leave familiar place More one-on-one Distance Connected to career technical class Smaller environment Less travel Different environment Less drama!! Better grades New friends Diversity- 8 different high schools DISADVANTAGES

17. QUESTIONS??? What kind of diploma will my child receive? The same as if he/she were attending his/her high school. What types of diplomas do you offer? Advanced and regular diplomas. What curriculum do you offer? The same as your child is taking at his/her high school.

18. QUESTIONS??? What about graduation? Your child can either graduate from his/her high school or with us. What school will be on the diploma? Whatever high school your child attends. The diploma will say: Calera, Chelsea, Montevallo, Oak Mountain, Pelham, Shelby County High, Thompson or Vincent. Is the CAPS Program a high school? No, we are a program designed to assist high schools in helping students mature in academics, work ethics and future career plans.

19. QUESTIONS??? Can my child be involved in extra curricular activity? The School of Technology says yes, but it will depend on your child’s high school policy. Each high school is different. What if my child is on an advanced diploma and would like to take a foreign language? If your child is in CAPS, he/she will be enrolled in a web-based computer course, called ACCESS, which is monitored by a facilitator. There is a state certified teacher over the internet. The course is considered an on-line course.

20. QUESTIONS??? What if my student just wants to come for 2 hours and needs a foreign language? We have independent courses (history, health, BTA and fine arts) at the School of Technology, which allows your child to take a course at home. This frees your child up for a period at their high school so he/she can be scheduled for a foreign language.

21. QUESTIONS??? My child is planning on going to college. Won’t this interfere with his/her plans? No, on the contrary. The School of Technology provides all clusters of careers except for the arts. If your child takes a career technical class with us, then he/she is better prepared in work skills and college. Your child can do both: be an advanced student or regular student and attend the School of Technology then go on to college. Your child will have the basic technical skills needed for his/her career field. Why not do both?

22. QUESTIONS??? Can students transfer any courses to a community college or university? We have articulation agreements with most secondary schools in Alabama. Most of our courses will count toward a basic course or an elective in college or at a university. If not, then your child can take a test to exempt the class. This is like having a free class. Your student may not have to take the course again. It will depend on the school in which your child plans to attend. Always ask!

23. MORE QUESTIONS??? How many credits does my child receive for taking a career technical course? Your child will receive 2 credits a year. After two years of taking a career technical class, your child will receive a certificate of completion, which recognizes skills learned. What about my child’s grades? Where do they go? We send your child’s grades back to his/her high school. Can my child start as a 2 hour student and then transfer to CAPS? Yes, we can transfer academics anytime during the year. Your child must go through proper procedure for entry into CAPS.

24. MORE QUESTIONS??? Can my child come to the School of Technology, for a career technical class, in the middle of the school year? In most cases, no. It is very difficult to transfer career technical credits. Once a career technical class has begun, it is difficult to bring in a new student. There are only two exceptions: Public Service and Landscaping.

25. MORE QUESTIONS??? Okay, I’m interested in the CAPS Program. What steps do I need to take to have my child enrolled? Due to the limited number of students enrolled in the program (approximately 100 – 110), your child will be competing for a slot in the program. There are several steps to take to be accepted into the program:

26. STEPS FOR CAPS You must call Patty Fant, counselor at the School of Technology, and set up an appointment for your child and a parent or guardian. You can reach Mrs. Fant at 682-6584 or pfant@shelbyed.k12.al.us. Mrs. Fant will meet with parent and student to explain the program in more detail.

27. STEPS FOR CAPS 4. Mrs. Fant will look at grades, behavior and attendance. 5. The student must be up-to-date with credits. They can not be behind. If the student has failed a course, he/she must make it up in summer school. 6. The parent and student will take a tour of the Career Academy Program in progress to feel and see the environment.

28. STEPS FOR CAPS 7. The parent and student will receive a tour of the career technical field of interest. 8. Mrs. Fant will provide the student with an excuse to return to school. 9. The parent will receive a letter in May to inform the parent of the status of his/her child: accepted or on waiting list.

29. STEPS FOR CAPS 10. If the student is accepted, he/she must enroll in his/her high school and with the School of Technology. 11. All grades will be sent to your child’s high school. 12. All students are evaluated at the end of the semester based on grades, attendance and behavior. Failure to maintain proper grades, attendance and good behavior, can jeopardize a student to be dismissed from the program and return to his/her high school.

31. To instill good work ethics

32. To provide the best education on a personal level

33. To ensure the safety and well-being of students

35. To bring out hidden jewels within the student

36. To provide an environment which entices the student to want to come to school

37. To build lasting relationships with students