When it comes to college readiness, Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) produces outcomes that stand with the strongest public school systems nationally. With a 99% graduation rate, an average ACT score near 29, and AP exam pass rates exceeding 90%, LBUSD students perform at a level that places them among the highest-achieving public high school graduates in California and across the United States.

While we are proud of our college-going rates, there is another dimension of student success that deserves equal attention. February is Career Technical Education Month, an opportunity to highlight learning that connects classrooms to the real world and to reflect on how schools prepare students not just for college, but for life beyond high school.

In LBUSD, Career Technical Education (CTE) is not a separate track or a fallback option. It is a central expression of what we value in education: relevance, creativity, challenging work, and purpose.

Career Technical Education empowers students with applied skills, industry knowledge, and real-world experience while they are still in high school. Just as importantly, it helps students understand why they are learning what they are learning. Whether students ultimately pursue a four-year university, community college, specialized training, or direct entry into the workforce, CTE strengthens both confidence and direction.

Participation in CTE is strong at Laguna Beach High School. More than 40 percent of LBHS students are currently enrolled in one or more CTE courses, and nearly three-quarters of the Class of 2025 participated in CTE at some point during high school. These numbers tell an important story. Students want learning that feels authentic, connected, and meaningful, and our community has built programs that respond to that need.

LBUSD currently offers nine career education pathways at the high school, spanning creative, technical, and service-oriented fields. Students can explore areas such as dance choreography, graphic design, professional theatre, engineering design, patient care, software systems and development, emergency response, and visual and media arts. New offerings, including yearbook and newspaper within visual and media arts, reflect both evolving student interests and the real-world skills today’s learners want to develop.

What makes these pathways powerful is not just the subject matter, but the way they are structured. CTE courses are intentionally sequenced to support growth from exploration to mastery. Students who complete a full pathway progress through a concentrator and a capstone course, graduating with applied skills, industry insight, and a clear sense of accomplishment. About one-quarter of LBHS graduates complete a full CTE pathway each year, and many complete more than one.

Career-connected learning also opens doors beyond high school. Many CTE courses meet UC a–g requirements, some carry honors weighting, and several offer early college credit through articulation agreements with local community colleges. In select pathways, students earn industry-recognized certifications. Others participate in internships and work-based learning experiences that bring classroom learning into authentic professional settings. These experiences matter. They help students see themselves as capable contributors, not just students preparing for some distant future.

Importantly, this work begins well before high school. At Thurston Middle School, students have opportunities to explore introductory CTE courses aligned with high school pathways, allowing them to discover interests early and build confidence over time. This intentional progression reflects a broader belief that preparation is not about rushing students, but about giving them space to explore with guidance and support.

None of this happens without strong partnerships. LBUSD’s CTE programs are supported by local and regional industry partners and community organizations that share our commitment to meaningful, real-world learning. These partnerships reflect the creative, entrepreneurial, and civic spirit of Laguna Beach itself.

As we recognize Career Technical Education Month, I want to thank the educators, counselors, support staff, and community partners who make this work possible, as well as the students who bring curiosity, creativity, and purpose into these learning experiences every day.

Preparing students for the future means connecting learning to life. Career Technical Education does exactly that, and it is a point of pride for Laguna Beach Unified School District and our community.