Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2017 | Page 5

Continued...UCPS students get college-ready through high-level courses
For a complete list of
Applications are accepted from February until
academies at all UCPS high
May 1. They can be found on the CATA web
schools, go to the CTE
site.
webpages on the UCPS
Union County Early College is a
website.
nontraditional high school that allows
International
students to graduate in five years with not
Baccalaureate (IB)
only a high school diploma, but also an
program
associate’s degree, as well.
Marvin Ridge High
The school works in partnership with
School’s International
South Piedmont Community College.
Baccalaureate Program
Interested eighth-grade students can apply
(IB) is currently registering
from October to February each year for the
incoming juniors for the
upcoming fall entrance.
2017-18 school year. It is
Currently UCEC has 371 students from
open to all UCPS students.
grades 9 through 13. McManus said, adding
According to the school’s that UCEC will welcome between 80 to 100
website, “The aim of all
new students for the 2017-2018 school year.
IB program is to develop
“It’s a fine balance between taking high
internationally minded
school classes and college classes to get your
people who, recognizing
associate’s degree in five years,” Breedlove
their
common
humanity
explained. “It’s a great program and it’s free.
Samantha Gerulla, a student in Porter Ridge High School’s
and
shared
guardianship
of
It doesn’t cost you anything.”
Pharmacy Tech Class, measures out the proper amount of
the
planet,
help
to
create
The associate’s degree will transfer to
Betadine antiseptic solution for the Happy Hinny, a diaper
rash treatment.
a better and more peaceful
any North Carolina state college, leaving only
world.”
two years for a student to attain a bachelor’s
information, how does a parent navigate
Central Academy of Technology & Arts degree.
that? It’s overwhelming,” Breedlove said.
Central Academy of Technology & Arts
—This article was provided by the Union
“They need to be able to talk to their school
County Public Schools Communications
(CATA) is a comprehensive magnet high
personnel, individuals who can take this large
Office.
school that incorporates rigorous academic
volume and say, ‘Let’s focus here and this is
and technical
what you need to know’.”
education using an
Meet our newest Veterinarian!
The POS outlines all the options for UCPS
innovative academy
students, including Career and Technical
concept in a nurturing
Education courses and programs, the
environment
General Practice • Dentistry
International Baccalaureate (IB) program,
that emphasizes
Surgery
• Fear Free Techniques
Central Academy of Technology and Arts and
experiential learning,
Union County Early College.
relevant internships,
UCPS Academies - Career and
•More appointment availability
community
Technical Education
•Now schedule your visit online
involvement,
“Union County Public Schools Career and
technical, artistic, and
•Receive text message updates
Technical Education offers a wide variety
academic integration.
and reminders
of academies to prepare students for a
Students attending
multitude of careers, as well as, numerous
CATA complete all
programs that will help them get ready for
traditional high
the challenge of various college programs,”
school requirements
said CTE Director Robert Filter.
in addition to an
There are more than 20 academies
intensive program
within the UCPS schools, covering everything
of study within their
from Agricultural Education and Automotive
chosen academy. The
Act fast to sign up for VetCamp 2017
Repair to Technology Engineering Design
academy program
1-3 day camps available, see our website!
and Firefighting. Some other examples
of study includes an
include Business, Finance and Information
additional six to eight
Learning
Technology; Family and Consumer Science;
required courses and
Animals
Health Science Education; Marketing and
is similar to a college
Entrepreneurship Education; Clean Energy;
Life
major course of study.
Aviation; and Veterinary Assistants.
CATA accepts
160 Corporate Blvd • Indian Trail
Each year, rising ninth graders are given
students from all over
a first-hand look at the CTE academies
Union County through
and programs during the Academy Career
a lottery process
Connections.
IndianTrailAnimalHospital.com
that ends in June.
Dr. Tom Gawel
Our family is growing...
so we can better serve yours.
704•821•7040
Parent Teacher Magazine • May/June 2017 • 3