The Muscogee County School System is Success Ready

The Muscogee County School System CTAE Division provides applied academic instruction so that students acquire technical skills and advanced training in preparation to enter the workforce. Students can participate in CTAE programs as early as Middle School - a unique opportunity that most school districts only offer to high school students. Each Middle and High School offers unique CTAE programs so students can pursue interests that either lead to a certificate and job, or post-secondary education.

The CTAE programs in Columbus include: agriculture, architecture, audio visual, automotive, biomedical, business, carpentry, computer science, cosmetology, culinary arts, cybersecurity, engineering, entrepreneurship, finance, firefighting, graphics, healthcare, heavy equipment operations, JROTC, law enforcement, marketing, mechatronics, nutrition, programming, sports medicine, teaching, web development, and welding.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) provide further support to students, playing a role in preparing students to become college and career ready members of society who hold productive leadership roles in their communities. Businesses support these programs as well by hosting interns, mentoring students, and offering apprenticeship opportunities. 

Founded in 1906, the Jordan Vocational High School College & Career Academy was the first school in the nation to combine vocational and academic courses in a public school system. This tradition of preparing students for careers is demonstrated in its CTAE Magnet Program training students in heavy equipment operation, mechatronics, healthcare, culinary arts, automotive, welding, electrical, drafting, teaching and JROTC. This can be paired with dual enrollment programs where students can earn college credit. 

Students can also be placed with an employer in their career pathway through a Work-Based Learning program. Students can earn high school credit and real-world experience through internships, mentoring and apprenticeship programs. 

We’re strengthening our pipeline of qualified teachers through programs like the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) - an 18 month to three-year program where future teachers are embedded in the classroom for job training (ideal for people with a degree who want to transition into teaching).

Columbus State University’s Intern to Teacher Program is meeting the need for teachers as well. They put teaching students in the classroom prior to graduation under the supervision of a Mentor Teacher.

Our partners are connecting with teachers as well. Georgia Power, for example, offers a Teacher Externship that brings together CTAE instructors, counselors, and other educators to gain first-hand experience in various roles across Georgia Power’s operations.

The Success Ready model was developed by local educators, business leaders and civic-minded stakeholders to address the needs of our region’s current and future employers. It identifies four areas of focus to ensure a pipeline of workers as part of the Columbus 2025 strategic plan. 

• School Ready focuses on birth through Pre-K to increase literacy preparedness through more childcare and Pre-K programs.
• Attainment Ready focuses on K - 7th grade to increase literacy, reading, math and science skills.
• Graduation Ready focuses on 8th grade through graduation to increase the number of certificates and degrees awarded.
• Work Ready focuses on preparing students for 21st Century jobs by creating more apprenticeship programs and business-education partnerships.