Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Valley Stream Central High School District
Welcome to CTE at Valley Stream!
The Valley Stream Central High School District is proud to offer a robust and dynamic Career & Technical Education (CTE) program designed to prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond the classroom. Our programs are rooted in real-world learning, industry connections, and hands-on experience—empowering students to gain valuable skills and certifications in high-demand fields.
Click here for the CTE Community Advisory Board Meeting Presentation
Our Career Preparation Programs
Located at Valley Stream Central High School, these five intensive programs prepare students for both industry credentials and post-secondary opportunities:
🔧 Automotive Technology
- Hands-on instruction in diagnostics, maintenance, and repair.
- Prepares students for ASE certification.
- Partnerships with local automotive businesses.
✂️ Cosmetology
- NYS-licensing preparation in hair, nails, skincare, and salon management.
- Students complete 1,000 hours of required training.
🍳 Culinary Arts
- Training in food safety, culinary techniques, and hospitality.
- Industry-recognized certifications (e.g., ServSafe).
- Real-world experience through catered events and school functions.
🏥 Medical Assisting
- Clinical and administrative training for entry-level healthcare careers.
- Hands-on labs, simulations, and field experiences.
🩺 Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Prepares students for the NYS Certified Nursing Assistant Exam.
- Includes supervised clinical experience in local healthcare facilities.
💼 Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunities
The district’s Work-Based Learning Program connects students with real-world experiences through internships, job shadowing, cooperative education, and community service.
- Opportunities available through local businesses, healthcare providers, salons, restaurants, and automotive companies.
- Students build professional skills and apply classroom knowledge in authentic workplace settings.
- WBL experiences align with NYS CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) standards and may count toward graduation credentials.
For more information on student eligibility and placement, contact the district Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Ms. Lori Rappa-Rodriguez 516-872-5646
🤝 CTE Community Advisory Board
Our CTE programs are guided and enriched by the Valley Stream CTE Community Advisory Board, a partnership of educators, industry professionals, business leaders, parents, and alumni.
The Advisory Board:
- Provides curriculum feedback based on current industry trends.
- Helps identify work-based learning and guest speaker opportunities.
- Supports program development to ensure students are career- and college-ready.
We are grateful to our community partners for their continued investment in student success. Interested in joining the advisory board? Contact us!
For more information regarding the Community Advisory Board, click here.
Department Offerings
In addition to our career preparation programs, all district students have access to specialized courses through the following departments:
💼 Business Department
- Courses in Virtual Enterprise, accounting, marketing, personal finance, and investing.
- Emphasis on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and digital tools for the modern workplace.
🏠 Family and Consumer Science (FACS)
- Courses in Child Development, Food & Nutrition, Home & Careers, and Clothing & Fashion.
- Emphasis on real-life application and career readiness.
⚙️ Technology Department
- Courses in architecture, engineering, robotics, and digital design.
- Project-based learning and participation in competitions.
🌟 Why Choose CTE?
CTE students graduate with:
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Real-world work-based learning experiences
- Strong college and career pathways
- Technical and employability skills for lifelong success
📬 Contact Us
Joseph Tagliaferro
District Chairperson, Career and Technical Education
Joseph Tagliaferro