Duval spotlights CTE programs: Twin Lakes robotics, Englewood culinary, Frank H. Peterson agriculture

Duval County School Board members on Feb. 4 heard multiple presentations highlighting Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across the district, with principals and instructors describing hands‑on learning, industry partnerships and student success at Twin Lakes Academy Middle School, Inglewood High School and Frank H. Peterson Academies.

Twin Lakes principal Ariguire Williams and two CTE instructors outlined a program that begins career exploration in sixth grade and advances to marketing, entrepreneurship and robotics in seventh and eighth grades. Ms. Brown described student work producing customized tumblers and apparel and teaching financial literacy; technology design teacher Avis Collier brought student leaders who described a robot and a prototype named “Spiky” that uses biomimicry to address microplastic filtration.

Chef Devon Norris described Inglewood High School’s Culinary Arts Academy, which received a full industrial kitchen upgrade in 2023; he said the course teaches food science, discipline, and career pathways in culinary fields and related internships. Frank H. Peterson instructor Mister Jones recounted rapid program growth — from three industry certifications in the first year to 52 last year — and said student competition success has helped raise program pride and enrollment.

Superintendent Bernier and board members praised CTE as a workforce pipeline and flagged CTE Month programming, a district CTE promotional video, and an enrollment guide. Board members said CTE helps students develop soft skills and career readiness and encouraged families to use school choice options to enroll in academies.

Ending: District officials said CTE programs will continue to expand and partner with local employers and that upcoming events will showcase student work and career pathways.