Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Students are encouraged to explore all of our CTE program of study.

Students are encouraged to explore all of our CTE program of study. If a student develops an interest in a particular program of study, we encourage them to complete the program of study by taking 3 credits in the field which can be a combination of in-person classes, courses offered by local colleges or universities, and internship/work experiences. When a student completes a program of study they have a special designation at graduation and the school receives valuable funding to support the courses offered at SHS. 

Culinary Arts

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

Intro to Culinary Arts is a hands-on course to introduce and study food and basic nutrition. Students will learn; how to prepare a variety of foods, read and understand standardized recipes, the proper use of knives and kitchen equipment, how to keep food safe by practicing sanitation and how to prevent kitchen accidents. Skills required for the class include reading and basic math. Throughout the course, students will develop skills such as working as a team, critical thinking, planning and organizing work and decision making. Students will be able to cook for themselves, make healthy choices and be able to plan and prepare meals. Lab activities will be planned as a cook and eat experience. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Deschutes County Food Handlers Card.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Culinary I

Culinary Arts 2 takes off where Intro to Culinary Arts leaves off, exploring food and cooking techniques, safety & sanitation as well as nutrition. Students explore professional cooking, practice cooking techniques, and master knife skills. College credit can be earned in these courses through articulation with COCC.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

International Foods is a hands-on course to introduce and study food and basic nutrition. Students will learn: how to prepare a variety of foods from around the world, read and understand standardized recipes, the proper use of knives and kitchen equipment, how to keep food safe by practicing sanitation and how to prevent kitchen accidents. Skills required for the class include reading and basic math. Throughout the course, students will develop skills such as working as a team, critical thinking, planning and organizing work and decision making.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 (counts toward science credits)

Food Science is what it sounds like: an exploration of the science that goes into food preparation. This includes elements that relate to chemistry and physics and biology associated with the processes that make food fit for consumption. This also includes how the consumption of different types of foods impacts the human body as well as how the composition of food impacts the senses, and, as a result, food preferences. Part of the curriculum includes experiments that demonstrate the science involved.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 11,12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Culinary I, II

Students work hands on with the Nutrition Staff in the production kitchen preparing meals, checking in supplies, and taking inventory, ordering supplies, and helping with catered events. Skills required for this course include reading and basic math, willingness to work as a team, being able to work under time restraints and demonstrate proper sanitation and kitchen safety. Students are must follow the dress code set be the Sisters School District Nutrition Services Department Students experience the actual food preparation and all aspects involved in the business of Quantity Food Services in the institutional food service world. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Deschutes County Food Handler’s Card.

Flight Science

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

In this one semester class, students will gain a foundational understanding of all aspects of flight. Students will explore career paths and opportunities in aviation, history of aviation, basic aerodynamics, meteorology, physics, airplane instruments, aviation charts, navigation, weight and balance, and the prediction of airplane performance. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in an introductory flight provided by local pilots.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 / College Credit: Yes, COCC

A survey course in atmospheric science that is offered through COCC as AV 108. This course covers weather basics and atmospheric circulations. Included is a systematic development of the following: the atmosphere,
energy and temperature, wind, atmospheric moisture, horizontal and vertical pressure patterns, clouds, atmospheric circulation, stability, air masses, fronts, fog, icing, thunderstorms, jet streams and turbulence.
Students will study surface weather observations, routine weather reports and forecasts, surface maps and constant pressure maps.

Credits:.5 / Grade:10-12 / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites / Requirements: Student must be turning 16 during course

This course is designed to help students navigate the path toward getting their private pilot license. The instructor works with individual students to determine the progress they have made in previous courses and work they have done outside of school and helps them determine next steps. Though this class does not itself lead to a private pilot license, it gives students the time and resources to make sure they are on the right track.

Students who are serious about getting a head start on their pilot career and have completed the other courses offered through Sisters High School should work with their guidance counselor to explore online options offered through COCC, such as their Aerodynamics class.

Health Science

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

Health Science Careers provides a student experience that develops career ready practices through career exploration in the context of project based learning. All knowledge and skills are career cluster and pathway standards to promote college and career readiness. This is especially important in 9th grade because without a robust experience at this level many students entering high school are unaware of what careers may be best for them. Seventeen Healthcare Areas (HCA) include Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology R&D, Clinical Lab Practices, Dentistry, Emergency Medical Technician, Environmental Health & Safety, Forensics, Health Information Management, Medical Imaging, Mental Health, Nursing, Ophthalmology, Pharmacology, Speech Therapy, Sports Medicine, Therapeutic Services, and Veterinary Medicine.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

Sports Medicine is a hands on class designed for students interested in the fields of athletic training, physical therapy, nursing, medicine, fitness training, EMT/Paramedic, exercise physiology, kinesiology, chiropractic, acupuncture, sports nutrition, x-ray/MRI, sports psychology, wilderness medicine or simply an athlete that wants the advantage of knowing how to prevent, treat and rehabilitate their own injuries. This class will involve hands-on instruction and application in taping injuries for prevention and treatment, injury assessment, splinting, bandaging, and simulations that identify different mechanisms of injury. Local medical/health professionals will provide presentations and hands-on labs to engage students in this most exciting form of medicine.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Sports Medicine

Advanced Sports Medicine is a hands on class designed for students interested in the fields of athletic training, physical therapy, nursing, medicine, fitness training, EMT/Paramedic, exercise physiology, kinesiology, chiropractic, acupuncture, sports nutrition, x-ray/MRI, sports psychology, wilderness medicine or simply an athlete that wants the advantage of knowing how to prevent, treat and rehabilitate their own injuries. This class builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Sports Medicine class, and will continue to involve hands-on instruction and application in taping injuries for prevention and treatment, injury assessment, splinting, bandaging, and simulations that identify different mechanisms of injury. Local medical/health professionals will provide presentations and hands-on labs to engage students in this most exciting form of medicine.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Biology

This course will cover topics in biology in more detail than in general biology and also some topics that were not covered. The main focus will be on the organ systems of the human body along with some review of biochemistry, cells, DNA and protein synthesis. Laboratory activities, especially dissections, will be a major component of this course.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 / College Credit: Yes, COCC
Prerequisites/Requirements: Health Science Careers

This course provides an overview of the health care professions that include employment trends, continued education requirements, ethics, current health issues, job search strategies and the opportunity to gain HIPAA certification. Students can either be a part of the St. Charles Health Occupations Rotations or create their own health/medical job shadow experience (veterinary, chiropractor, ophthalmology, physical trainer, nutritionist, etc). St. Charles Rotations is limited to 22 SHS juniors or seniors that will experience 10 different departments at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend (cancer, lifeflight, pathology, maternity, E.R., nursing, clinical lab, ICU, X-Ray, physical therapy  etc).

* College Credits: COCC – EMT 170 – 2 credits

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 / College Credit: Yes, COCC
Prerequisites/Requirements: Health Science Careers

This course provides an overview of the health care professions that include employment trends, continued education requirements, ethics, current health issues, job search strategies and the opportunity to gain HIPAA certification. Students can either be a part of the St. Charles Health Occupations Rotations or create their own health/medical job shadow experience (veterinary, chiropractor, ophthalmology, physical trainer, nutritionist, etc). St. Charles Rotations is limited to 22 SHS juniors or seniors that will experience 10 different departments at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend (cancer, lifeflight, pathology, maternity, E.R., nursing, clinical lab, ICU, X-Ray, physical therapy, etc).

* College Credits: COCC – EMT 170 – 2 credits

Students who are serious about getting a head start on their health science career and have completed the other courses offered through Sisters High School should work with their guidance counselor to explore online options offered through local community colleges and universities.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to snow. Would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable with proper preparedness. Take this exciting, hands-on class you will use for a lifetime. It is an eye opening practical class that will make you more prepared for an accident in the Sisters backcountry or wherever your adventures may lead you. You will even learn the ins and outs of snow shelter building, avalanche safety and training, how to start a fire or collect water in a survival circumstance.

Manufacturing / Design / Construction

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

This class is in an architectural format. We will gain an understanding of basic house design, and architectural concepts while exploring careers that are connected to the building industry. This activity will help the student understand the process of building a house. After this class you will be able to read and understand basic blueprints drawings, and sign up for possible COCC credits.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Teacher approval

Construction class is designed to help students understand how to build a house. Safety and the use of tools and the standards for a safe jobsite will be an important part of this course. We will concentrate mostly on the framing of a house, starting with the foundation/floor systems, continuing on with walls, and roof. We will explore the career opportunities in the building industry in Central Oregon. After this class you will be able to read and understand basic blueprints drawings, and sign up for possible COCC credits.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

This course is designed to introduce students to the popular computer aided drafting program Autocad. Work will include traditional engineering drafting assignments, as well as three-dimensional drawings. We will learn how to present problems/projects using a layout, scaling drawings, set-up or units, and limits. The class helps students understand geometry, and trigonometry using hands-on curriculum.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 11-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Woods I, Introduction to Engineering

Manufacturing Technology is integrating systems through advanced design concepts. Students will research, design, build, and test a pair of skis or a snowboard using a number of engineering and manufacturing processes. CAD design and CNC machine time will be utilized and students will leave this class with proven experiences that will lead them on to future training and careers in industries related to manufacturing and construction.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12

This is an introductory level course. The objective is to gain an understanding of basic woodworking, the use of woodworking tools and the standards for a safe woodshop. Class activities include a safety test on all tools used and the ability to complete a myriad of projects that may include boxes, cutting boards and individually designed projects.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 11-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Woods I, Introduction to Engineering; $200 Supply Fee (See counselor if the fee will be a hardship)

In this course students build upon the skills learned in Woods I by expanding their scope and creativity to build an acoustic guitar. Students design their own instrument expressing their creativity in wood selection and inlay designs. This is a long term project that requires development of time and money management. Students have the opportunity to work with some of the best luthiers in the Pacific Northwest. This class is a two term class.