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Buena Park middle schools highlight career pathways in district presentation
Summary
District staff and teachers detailed expanded college- and career-readiness programs at Beatty and Buena Park Middle Schools, including a nationally recognized FFA chapter, new robotics and dual-enrollment courses, STEM sailing and a districtwide college-and-career night planned for March.
Board members heard a presentation Tuesday on college- and career-readiness programs at Buena Park Middle School and Beatty Middle School.
Sandra Song, director of educational programs for Buena Park School District, said the two middle schools were recently recognized for their programs: both were named "Schools to Watch" by the California League of Middle Schools, and Buena Park Middle School’s FFA agricultural science chapter won a 2024 Golden Bell Award. "This national recognition is a testament to their exceptional educational programs, challenging curriculum, and supportive environment for students," Song said.
The presentation described a wide set of career-technology education (CTE) offerings that begin in elementary grades and expand in middle school. Song said district elementary programs such as International Baccalaureate, STEAM, AVID and visual and performing arts feed into middle-school pathways. By middle school, the district offers dual-enrollment courses with Fullerton College and expanded options that Song said now include crime scene investigation and genetic fingerprinting, in addition to computer programming.
Shelly Andros, a dual CTE teacher and FFA advisor at Buena Park Middle School, described the school’s agricultural program and facilities, including a 24-by-48-foot greenhouse and an ag center that supports hands-on supervised agricultural experiences. "Students gain hands on experience through SAE projects such as plant propagation, soil testing, irrigation design and plant production," Andros said. She noted partnerships with culinary arts and community distribution projects that supply produce to campus programs and families.
Andros and other presenters highlighted four class tracks in the FFA pathway: horticulture, ag science, agricultural robotics and automation, and related entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities. The district emphasized partnerships with local high schools to continue student pathways into high-school CTE and FFA chapters.
Beatty staff and students described robotics and RIASEC career-education work. Counselor Jody Rydinkius outlined RIASEC-based career exploration and the district’s debate team achievements. Two Beatty eighth-grade students, Doner and Niklesh, described building a VEX competition robot and said the team is preparing for an upcoming VEX tournament. "We also made a lot of progress on this year's robot," Doner said during the presentation.
Christina Walsh, community schools program specialist, outlined applied-arts and STEM-sailing programs. She said the STEM-sailing partnership with the Long Beach Yacht Club and the U.S. Sailing Foundation serves 36 students and includes classroom STEM inquiry, underwater ROV activities and on-the-water sailing lessons culminating in trips on 37-foot sailboats.
Presenters invited the community to a districtwide college-and-career night scheduled for March 12 at Brenner Park Middle School, to bring elementary, middle and district partners together for college and industry panels and family-facing activities.
Board members praised the programs and partnerships. Board member Jensen said the district’s CTE work positions Buena Park as a regional leader, and other trustees commended the hands-on opportunities and community connections.
The presentation closed with trustees and staff thanking students, teachers and community partners for program support and invited continued participation in pathway events.
