Since 2014, Denver Public Schools (DPS) has expanded their Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework providing STEM education in elementary and middle schools and career-focused courses in high schools across Denver.

Simultaneously, DPS invested in industry-aligned Work-based Learning (WBL) experiences to provide opportunities for students to learn ABOUT, THROUGH, and AT WORK. Over the years, DPS has expanded their offerings and can boast that they have the largest known K-12 WBL program in the country.

The DPS Career and College Success Career Development Team partners with industry professionals and higher education institutions to help students explore their career identity, visualize what’s possible, chart a plan for their futures, provide hands-on experience and expand their professional networks through a full-suite of WBL experiences.

This culture of learning gives students an idea of what employers will expect of them, and what it takes to be successful in the post-secondary world. Students not only expand their professional networks, but can even earn money while learning through paid Launch Internships and Apprenticeships.

The CTE Department offers hundreds of career-related courses at many levels – from introductory to college level classes. With a particular focus on Colorado’s most in demand industries, students gain a head start on their personalized career paths in Colorado’s ten career clusters and twenty-three distinct pathways.

The Career Development Team compliments CTE coursework to offer aligned WBL experiences that “make learning real” for students and create greater relevance for what it is they’re learning in the classroom. In some cases, students might start by exploring their interests through WBL and eventually enroll in a CTE course to deepen their understanding.

If you are interested in learning more, students/family members should work with their school navigator or contact careerandcollegesuccess@dpsk12.org and turn these early sparks of interest into exciting opportunities.

Work-based learning is your chance to discover things you can’t learn in a classroom. Get inside information about the career you’re interested in, or simply get a taste of what it’s really like on the job.

Work Based Learning Model

Interested in learning more about what’s available in the school(s) where your child(ren) attends?  Please email our Career Development Team. Click the icons for more details

It is critical that students develop the following Traits of a Young Professional as these are the essential skills for any high performing, contributing member of the workforce. Through their participation in Career Development programs, students will have opportunities to hone these skills in real and relevant ways.

Click on the traits to learn more!

Interested in learning more about what’s available in the school(s) where your child(ren) attends? Please email our Career Development Team.