CTE Pathways Foundations & Leadership Expansion

Vista Heritage Global Academy and Vista Meridian Global Academy have formed the Vista Charter Public Schools Orange County Consortium to improve Career Technical Education (CTE) outcomes for underserved students—particularly English Learners, students eligible for free/reduced meals, Hispanic students, and students with disabilities—who face significant equity gaps in graduation rates and workforce readiness. The consortium addresses critical industry sectors such as Business & Entrepreneurship, Energy, Life Sciences, and ICT by implementing aligned middle and high school CTE pathways that include dual enrollment certification programs. However, challenges remain due to limited course offerings, low success rates in initial dual enrollment attempts, and lack of coordinated extended learning and student organization activities to build skills and engagement. To tackle these issues, the consortium will use K12 SWP funds to expand Project Lead The Way curricula, enhance energy and environmental pathways in partnership with UC Irvine, provide necessary technology devices to eliminate access barriers, and establish Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) to foster leadership and deepen student involvement—ultimately supporting equitable access, retention, and success in high-demand, high-wage career pathways.

The Vista Charter Public Schools Orange County Consortium (VCPSOCC) work plan focuses primarily on strengthening curriculum and instruction and college and career exploration within their K14 CTE pathways, while not addressing postsecondary transition or work-based learning directly. To address gaps in aligned, articulated middle-to-high school CTE pathways and low dual enrollment success—especially among English Learners, students eligible for free/reduced meals, Hispanic students, and students with disabilities—the consortium will expand Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses in Computer Science and Biomedical Science, collaborate with UC Irvine Science Project to develop an Environmental Resources pathway, and provide student devices and bilingual/special education instructional aides to enhance access and success. The plan also includes establishing Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as HOSA and FFA to build leadership, engagement, and extended learning activities that support pathway completion. With active partnerships with Santa Ana College and Coastline Community College, the consortium aims to serve over 500 students across targeted populations, increase teacher training, and significantly improve high school CTE completion rates and dual enrollment success, ultimately fostering equitable access to high-skill, high-wage career opportunities.