Building Skills, Sparking Passions: Students Get a First Look at CTE Opportunities

Marana Vista Academy was buzzing with excitement as families and students gathered for the district’s High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Night. The event welcomed all 5th–8th grade students and their families for an engaging, hands-on exploration of the dynamic CTE programs offered at Marana High School, Mountain View High School, and Marana Vista Academy.

“CTE courses teach technical skills and build confidence, critical thinking, and real-world experience,” said Stephanie Lippert, Director of CTE “We are proud to offer dynamic experiences to students at Marana Schools as they begin exploring potential careers or fields they wish to pursue.”

Attendees had the chance to speak with current high school CTE students, who spoke enthusiastically about their programs of study and real-world learning experiences. Their stories provided valuable insight into how CTE helps students discover their passions, build career-ready skills, and prepare for life beyond graduation.

Throughout the night, families explored a wide range of programs, engineering, digital media, culinary arts, law and public safety, welding, automotive technology, sports medicine, photography, bio science, FFA, and more. Each station offered hands-on demonstrations, student-created displays, and interactive conversations that brought the programs to life.

We look forward to supporting our future high school students as they explore the pathways that will shape their college, career, and life success. Thank you to our CTE students, teachers, and staff who helped make this a huge success!