Wayzata district details overhaul of career and technical education, cites capacity needs and credential growth

At a Feb. 23 work session, the Wayzata Public School District’s CTE team presented results of a multi-year curriculum review and described plans to expand career and technical education opportunities for middle- and high-school students.

Director Abby Brar opened the presentation and Scott Torter and Paul Kimbler described a shift from earlier “career spheres” to a pathways model. Staff said the district organized CTE into 11 pathways and expects a 12th by 2026, with over 70 courses grouped to allow students to enter at an introductory level, advance to intermediate classes and finish with capstone experiences that may include industry-recognized credentials or college credit.

Dawn Johnson, who coordinated the 6–12 curriculum review, said the team aligned course work with four frameworks recommended by the Minnesota Department of Education and intentionally involved students, teachers and industry advisors. Johnson said 10 industry professionals and 34 Wayzata High School juniors and seniors participated in review sessions, and partners from Minnesota colleges helped shape concurrent-enrollment offerings.

Students on the panel described hands-on benefits. “It seriously is life changing,” said Maya Reese, a student who credited CTE courses with confirming a career path and providing practical skills. Serena Carr, another senior, described the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course: the program moved from a community college to the high school, and staff reported 117 students in the first year, 135 this year and 197 students interested next year.

Staff also highlighted the Compass program — three cohorts that include graphic communications, business management and cybersecurity — and said students have earned more than 3,000 college credits through district-concurrent enrollment partnerships since 2016. Presenters reported 93 community mentors working with students and estimated that 78.4 percent of Wayzata High School students take at least one CTE class.

Board members asked detailed questions about course length, credit transferability and capacity. Presenters said most introductory (level 1) courses are one term or nine weeks, while intermediate and advanced courses typically run a semester. On credit transfer, staff said AP and concurrent-enrollment policies vary by receiving institutions; concurrent-enrollment credits appear on Minnesota college transcripts and are generally accepted, but transfer ultimately depends upon individual colleges’ policies.

Several CTE areas are running at capacity. Staff said the CNA lab and culinary kitchens cannot currently serve additional students. Director Dawn Johnson and others noted a planned facilities referendum that would include a high-school addition intended in part to address CTE space and scheduling constraints.

The district said continuing steps include finalizing pathway structures, ensuring each pathway offers an industry-recognized credential or college credit option, expanding access to experiential learning and wrapping up the curriculum review by next fall. The board did not take formal action at the session; presenters and trustees indicated the referendum and next-year course offerings will be part of future board consideration.