Adams Middle School showcases hands-on College & Career course for seventh and eighth graders

Adams Middle School staff and students presented the district's new College & Career exploration elective to the school board, showing how Paxton Patterson modular labs and a 10-day module structure expose seventh- and eighth-graders to career pathways.

Principal Andrew Estrada said the program was developed to align with district strategic goals, funded through grants written by district staff, and piloted after visiting a district that runs the same Paxton Patterson curriculum. Instructor Christy Bahna described 16 hands-on modules and said the classroom functions as a facilitator-led lab rather than a traditional lecture class: "there are 16 modules with different activities ... it is Hands-On ... they feel like the things that they are doing are real world applicable." Students demonstrated early modules: a nursing module with simulated blood draws, an EMT module with CPR and AED training, drone flight and payload tasks, welding practice and a child-care module that includes baby care and infant CPR.

Estrada and staff said the course will enroll roughly 70 students this school year (two sections of 35 students each, one per semester) and the teacher noted she sometimes extends the 10-day modules by two "flex" days when necessary to ensure comprehension. Board members and community leaders praised the student demos; PTA and union representatives said the CTE pathways are valuable for students who will pursue apprenticeships and trades or college programs.

District staff said they hope to expand the elective if demand and funding allow; no formal board action was required for the presentation.