Access to the education, training, and experiences that prepare students for the workforce is typically associated with college classrooms rather than high school campuses. However, in Henry County Schools, students develop these competencies long before they receive a diploma.

HCS’ mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society, and its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program does just that through rigorous programming rooted in real-world applications.

As early as sixth grade, students explore careers, including automotive technology, cybersecurity, engineering, entrepreneurship, information technology, and robotics.

An innovative curriculum, 50 diverse pathways, high-quality instruction, and proven student outcomes have elevated the district’s CTAE program to the fifth-largest in Georgia, earning recognition as a Program of Excellence from State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

The program’s scale is notable, but its impact lies in intentional connections between coursework and professional settings. Students gain advantages, not from theory or simulation, but from impactful, hands-on experience.

The connections are most visible through Work-Based Learning. Industry partners, including Henry County Police Department, Piedmont Henry Hospital, and Southern Crescent Technical College, offer internships, apprenticeships, clinical experiences, and opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials.

Students benefit from an unparalleled educational experience, and in any classroom, on any given day, they have a clear vision of where their skills can take them.

Stephen Sanders’ welding students are self-assured and communicate a sense of certainty about what lies ahead. Down the hall, students in Angela Forrest’s phlebotomy class are attentive, driven, and already see themselves succeeding as health care professionals.

“I love health care, and I’ll be using this pathway as a stepping stone,” said McDonough High School senior phlebotomy student Darius Scott. “Having this opportunity as a high schooler is a blessing, and to be an 18-year-old with this qualification is pretty amazing.”

In an ever-changing global economy, the district’s focus on relevance ensures responsive instruction that motivates and awakens purpose. As classrooms transform into labs, workshops, and studios, HCS is redefining how it prepares students for college, career, and life.

Students aren’t merely training for jobs; they are learning to think critically, solve problems, and develop a strong work ethic, reflected in employment and contract opportunities before graduation. As a junior, recent Luella High School graduate Lailah Metallo redesigned the Henry County Police Department’s official seal, which now appears on all HCPD assets. Metallo also designed the challenge coin for the City of New York’s Transportation Bureau and contributed to the design of other city branding.

Jessica Gay, a senior automotive technology student, received a job offer from United States Cold Storage in McDonough after participating in an industry tour. Dutchtown High School senior Taryn Williamson designed a 3D-printed thermostat cover, now installed in more than 150 HCS buildings. 

Impactful CTAE instruction supports the promise that “bright futures begin in HCS.” Career readiness isn’t abstract; it is learned, practiced, and applied, so that future is undoubtedly taking shape in middle and high school classrooms across the district.

By Nicola Kelly