Career Technical Education (CTE) is a program of study involving a multiyear sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge, providing students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. Simply put, it’s like majoring in college, but in high school!

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), CTE improves student college and career readiness. Studies have shown that 80% of students in college prep and rigorous CTE met college and career readiness goals versus only 63% of students taking only college prep. Additionally, attendance in a CTE program more than doubles the rate of college entrance for minority students.

CTE has also shown to help increase graduation rates and keep at-risk students in school. The CDE states that the CTE student graduation rate in high school is 90% versus only 75% average nationwide. (Graduation rates at Samohi and Malibu High are 95% and 99% respectively.) While high–risk students enrolled in CTE are eight to 10 times less likely to drop out in the 11th and 12th grades. CTE has shown to increase school connectedness, reduce behavioral problems related to suspensions and expulsions and reduce dropouts in all student groups.

CTE is for all students! It covers 15 industry sectors that incorporate 58 career pathways. View the industry sectors and their pathways here.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is proud to offer CTE pathways at both Santa Monica and Malibu High.

Check out the available CTE pathways:

CTE Contact

SMMUSD CTE:  Dr. Devon Smith - devonsmith@smmusd.org