High school Professional Career Themes and districtwide magnet schools
Courses at most JCPS high schools are organized around one of five Professional Career Themes that offer advanced college and career preparation. JCPS provides transportation for students who are accepted into one of these programs within the network that serves their attendance area.
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Creating Our Global Community
Human Services, Education, and International Studies
This theme offers courses for students who want to prepare for a legal career, learn the art of teaching, or explore the world. Watch Video
Students who take Human Services courses study the law, government, and social issues. Service-learning projects give students real-world skills and experience that make their résumés stand out.
JCPS education students learn the foundations of teaching and gain experience by working with elementary and middle school students. Education students also learn about colleges and universities where they can continue their studies and career preparation after high school.
Students who take international studies classes develop an in-depth understanding of the global community. They learn a world language, and they work with government agencies and international organizations. Through the International Baccalaureate Program, students can earn an IB Diploma that is recognized for university admission at schools around the world.
Schools: Network 1: Fairdale High, Network 2: Seneca High, Network 3: Atherton High
Designing and Building the Future
Engineering (Aerospace/Architecture/Manufacturing and Construction)
To be competitive, the United States will need to graduate nearly 100,000 new engineers a year for the next decade—about 40,000 a year more than the current number. JCPS engineering students are getting ready for these career opportunities by building problem-solving skills and mastering a range of tools and technologies (the same tools and technologies that today’s professionals use). Watch Video
The district’s engineering students receive a broad introduction to the field by exploring real-world problems. They study historical engineering achievements ranging from the Egyptian pyramids to the U.S. highway system to the Ohio River locks and dams. Courses are also available for students who want to focus on aviation, manufacturing, energy transmission, or construction.
Schools: Network 1: Iroquois High, Network 2: Jeffersontown High, Network 3: The Academy @ Shawnee
Engaging and Enlightening Our Community
Communication, Media, and the Arts
Communication skills are in demand across occupations, according to a report on the fastest-growing careers by the U.S. Department of Labor. At JCPS high schools, courses are available in public speaking, radio and television production, stage and costume design, print media, graphic arts, and performing arts. Students work in well-equipped, state-of-the-art studios. They get many chances to practice their craft and show off their skills. Whether they’re painting murals, acting on stage, creating digital art, writing a short story or novel, editing news articles, anchoring a broadcast, or directing a film, students receive both solid academic instruction and practical experience. Watch Video
Schools: Network 1: Pleasure Ridge Park High, Network 2: Fern Creek Traditional High, Network 3: Ballard High
Sustaining Ourselves and the Planet
Medicine, Health, and the Environment
Health-care careers are among the highest paying, and they’ll make up 7 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations during the next several years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Watch Video
JCPS health-care students learn about a range of possible careers and develop basic skills in each medical field. Courses provide preparation for both an entry-level job and for additional study in college. Mentoring, real-world health-care environments, job-shadowing experiences, and internships show students how the pros do it. Many students earn professional health-care certification before they graduate from high school.
Career opportunities for experts on the environment are expanding rapidly. JCPS environmental students investigate the world in the classroom, the lab, and the field. They explore current issues and study possible solutions to environmental problems.
Schools: Network 1: Valley Traditional High, Network 2: Moore Traditional School, Network 3: Waggener Traditional High
Cultivating Leadership and Innovation
Business and Information Technology
Business and information technology (IT) are the two highest areas for growth in new jobs, according to Careerbuilder.com. Watch Video
JCPS business students learn how to create and run a company. Both business and IT students learn how to use technology to manage business operations. Courses are available in banking, finance, business applications, marketing, accounting, computer repair, networking, Web design, GIS, and programming. Many of these courses offer both industry certification and college credit.
Schools: Network 1: Doss High, Network 2: Southern High, Network 3: Eastern High
Districtwide Magnet Schools
The following magnet schools and programs accept applications from students throughout the JCPS District. At most schools, transportation is provided for every Jefferson County address:
The Academy @ Shawnee offers the Aerospace--Flight School Program and the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program.
The Brown School is a self-directed learning school that serves kindergarten-through-grade-12 students. Transportation is not provided for Brown School students.
Butler Traditional High and Louisville Male High offer traditional education.
Central High School Magnet Career Academy offers business, technology, law, health care, and veterinary magnet programs.
DuPont Manual High offers communications, visual arts, college prep, and math/science/technology programs.
Western Magnet High offers the Early College Program and the Culinary Arts Program.
The Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) offers dance, theatre, musical theatre, design and production (technical theatre), vocal music, instrumental music (band and orchestra), and piano programs.
