Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy

A summer enrichment and skills development program for students currently in grades 6-11.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to:

  • Dive deeper into Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas
  • Develop new or existing skills
  • Begin career exploration

Students are able to personalize their experience by choosing which CTE classes they will take!

student using a drill press during the CTE Summer Academy

CTE Summer Academy Program Information

Eligibility

Open to students in grades 6-11 during the 2023-24 school year.

Students currently in grades K-5 may participate in Tech Adventure Camp.

Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled.

All students are welcome:

  • FCPS students.
  • Students enrolled in private schools.
  • Students who are homeschooled.
  • Non-Fairfax County residents.

Fairfax County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all clubs and activities.

Program Information

Dates

  • July 8 - 12, 2024
  • July 15 - 19, 2024
  • July 22 - 26, 2024

Time

  • 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
  • Early drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m.

Location

Lake Braddock Secondary School

student working on a mannequin's hair

Tuition

  • $275 per week
    • Fairfax County Public School students eligible for free and reduced lunch: No tuition.*

*To be eligible, students must apply on Free and Reduced Meals website. You must allow your benefits to be shared or submit the Consent to Share Information Form.

Classes and Daily Schedule

Students have four classes every day. Students choose their classes during the registration process and are encouraged to try new and exciting content. Class descriptions can be found below.  Activities and projects change each year so students who participated in previous years can choose the same classes again this summer.

Classes repeat each week. Students who are participating in multiple weeks will need to choose new classes each week.

2024 Class Descriptions

Some classes require a laptop. Students who register for these classes should plan on bringing a laptop with them to camp.

Business and Information Technology

These classes require a laptop. Students who register for these classes should plan on bringing a laptop with them to camp.

Coding Adventures

Are you interested in coding and programming? Learn the basics or take your skills to the next level in this exciting class.

Students interested in coding, information technology, and computers may enjoy this class.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Can you stop hackers from getting into the network? Learn the skills of cyber security and how to protect yourself and others from online threats.

Students interested in cybersecurity, information technology, and computers may enjoy this class.

Emerging Tech (NEW CLASS)

In this class, you will learn about the basics of AI, VR, and cybersecurity, and you will have the opportunity to apply what you learn through hands-on projects and activities. You will also have the chance to learn about the computer science career pathways.

Students interested in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality may enjoy this class.

Engaging in eSports (NEW CLASS)

Learn how to be competition ready in this introduction to eSports class! We’re going explore the world of eSports and get some practice in competitive video gaming.

Students interested in video games, competitive gaming, and game design may enjoy this class.

**Students must be current 8th to 11th grade students to participate in this class.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Baking Basics

We’re mixing up some delicious treats in this class! Grab those oven mitts, it’s time to bake!

Students interested in baking, recipe creation, and restaurant management may enjoy this class.

Crafting 101

Are you creative and love making things? Learn how to make basic crafts for gifts, home decor, and more!

Students interested in crafts, DIY projects, and design may enjoy this class.

Kitchen Classics

Do you love cooking? Build basic skills or expand your knowledge in the culinary arts and food preparation in this class!

Students interested in cooking, recipe creation, and nutrition may enjoy this class.

Textile + Space Design

Learn more about the textile and interior design industries. This class will help you in both fashion and spatial design by teaching you about different types of textiles and how to organize spaces.

Students interested in interior design, fabrics or textiles, and fashion may enjoy this class.

Health and Medical Sciences

Animal Care

Become a better pet owner and learn about how to properly care for animals. You’ll be able to gain insight into the veterinary sciences programs offered at FCPS.

Students interested in veterinary science, animals, and biology may enjoy this class.

Exercise Science (NEW CLASS)

Get swole this summer in our exercise science class! Learn how muscles work and how to target those muscles with specific exercises. We’ll also learn more about physical therapy techniques.

Students interested in human anatomy, exercise, and occupational/physical therapy may enjoy this class.

Health Care Basics

Calling all those interested in health care! Learn about health care career pathways and gain hands-on experiences with tools and equipment in health fields.

Students interested in health care, medical sciences, and human anatomy may enjoy this class.

Marketing

These classes require a laptop. Students who register for these classes should plan on bringing a laptop with them to camp.

Entrepreneurship: Shark Tank

Do you have what it takes to win over the sharks? In our own version of “Shark Tank,” students will become entrepreneurs.

Students interested in marketing, entrepreneurship, and advertising may enjoy this class.

Million Dollar Marketing!

Sports, entertainment, and fashion, oh my! Learn more about marketing empires and how to take your business to the next level in this fun and interactive class.

Students interested in marketing, branding, and promotion may enjoy this class.

Technology and Engineering Education

Design Shop

Calling all design enthusiasts! Take your design skills to the next level by creating a product in this hands-on design and production class.

Students interested in graphic design, product production, and DIY projects may enjoy this class.

Flight School

It’s time to take off! Learn more about how objects fly by building your own aircraft in this fun and exciting class.

Students interested in aerospace, types of aircraft, and engineering may enjoy this class.

It’s Electric! (NEW CLASS)

Bring some voltage to your DIY projects by learning more about electricity and electronics in this class. We’re soldering components together and making buzz-worthy circuits together!

Students interested in electronics, soldering, and DIY projects may enjoy this class.

Make It Manufacturing

We’re exploring the manufacturing processes and machines that allow us to take a design from CAD and make it into a real-world product.

Students interested in engineering design, rapid prototyping, and DIY projects may enjoy this class.

Underwater Robotics

We're taking our robots underwater! Figure out what it takes to explore the ocean abyss by building an underwater robot in this class!

Students interested in robotics, engineering design, and problem-solving may enjoy this class.

World of Robots

Do you have a passion for robots? Take your skills to the next level or learn the basics of building, programming, and controlling robots.

Students interested in coding, robotics, and problem-solving may enjoy this class.

Trade and Industrial

Classes with a * require a laptop. Students who register for these classes should plan on bringing a laptop with them to camp.

Audio Engineering (NEW CLASS)*

Do you have a passion for sound creation? Learn more about the technologies behind creating sound bits and music for movie and tv productions in this class.

Students interested in media production, music technology, and audio creation may enjoy this class.

Criminology (NEW CLASS)

This class will introduce students to the criminal justice system and provide them with some hands-on activities that relate to topics within law enforcement and corrections.

Students interested in criminal justice, court systems, and police departments may enjoy this class.

Crime Scene Investigation

Can you solve this mystery? Explore how investigators in criminal justice solve crimes including the tools and materials they use.

Students interested in crime scenes, criminal justice, and solving mysteries may enjoy this class.

Home Building

How do we build homes? What skills are needed for basic home repairs? Learn it all and get hands-on experience in this class.

Students interested in residential construction, electrical wiring, and residential trades may enjoy this class.

JROTC 101

Do you have what it takes to join our JROTC programs? Learn how to walk the walk and talk the talk in this military-minded summer course.

Students interested in military sciences, becoming a cadet, and JROTC may enjoy this class.

Mechanic Mania

Interested in vehicles? Learn the basics of auto technology and car care in this interactive class.

Students interested in vehicles, auto technology, and mechanical components may enjoy this class.

Movie Production*

Lights, camera, action! What does it take to make a video? Learn all about it in this class.

Students interested in the film industry, movie creation, and video technology may enjoy this class.

Salon Basics

Take your hair, skin, and nail care skills to the next level in this class. Learn how hair care professionals help us go from drab to fab!

Students interested in cosmetology, nail technology, and hairdressing may enjoy this class.

Wood Creations

Take a tour of our woodworking shop and learn how to safely use machines and tools found in the woodshop. Gain hands-on experience in the full production process of wooden items.

Students interested in woodworking, power tools, and DIY projects may enjoy this class.

Daily Schedule

Period 1

  • Animal Care
  • Audio Engineering
  • Coding Adventures
  • Crafting 101
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • Entrepreneurship: Shark Tank
  • Flight School
  • Health Care Basics
  • It’s Electric!
  • Kitchen Classics
  • Salon Basics
  • Wood Creations
  • World of Robotics

Period 2

  • Animal Care
  • Audio Engineering
  • Coding Adventures
  • Crafting 101
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • Entrepreneurship: Shark Tank
  • Flight School
  • Health Care Basics
  • It’s Electric!
  • Kitchen Classics
  • Salon Basics
  • Wood Creations
  • World of Robotics

Period 3

  • Baking Basics
  • Criminology
  • Design Shop
  • Emerging Tech
  • Engaging in eSport
  • Exercise Science
  • Home Building
  • JROTC 101
  • Make It Manufacturing
  • Mechanic Mania
  • Million Dollar Marketing
  • Movie Production
  • Textile + Space Design
  • Underwater Robotics

Period 4

  • Baking Basics
  • Criminology
  • Design Shop
  • Emerging Tech
  • Engaging in eSport
  • Exercise Science
  • Home Building
  • JROTC 101
  • Make It Manufacturing
  • Mechanic Mania
  • Million Dollar Marketing
  • Movie Production
  • Textile + Space Design
  • Underwater Robotics

Lunch

Students will have a 30-minute lunch break every day. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Transportation

There is bus transportation from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Transportation to and from these schools is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Transportation information will be communicated to families prior to the start of the program.

Registration

Dates: February 1, 2024 to June 7, 2024

How to Register

students showing their culinary project

During the registration process, students will choose

  • One preferred class for each period. The preferred classes are the classes they will attend during the program.
  • One alternative class for each period in the event the preferred class needs to be canceled.

Students who attend for multiple weeks need to choose different preferred classes each week.

If a class is showing as unavailable, it is full for that week.

Students will also choose a mode of transportation. Students may choose either

  • Parent Pickup
  • an FCPS school location for bus pick up and drop off.

After the registration process is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with the parent account. The confirmation email will have a copy of the student schedule and the transportation choice.

Camp Agreement

As part of the registration process, parents and students must agree to the following lab safety rules, use of digital resources, and food guidelines.

Required Forms

All students must deliver the following forms(s) if they apply to your student by the first day of the camp. Forms can be printed and brought on the first day of camp.

Non-FCPS students must deliver the following forms prior to the first day of the camp. Forms can be emailed to Beth Mehr.

Non-FCPS students must also provide a copy of these documents:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Medical evidence of immunization
  • The most recent 2023-24 school report card

Documents can be

  • emailed to [email protected]
  • mailed to: 
    FCPS-ACE, Department C 
    6815 Edsall Rd. 
    Springfield, VA 22151

Students without the appropriate forms will not be able to participate until the forms are submitted.

Refund Information

Refund requests must be submitted online. Please see Full Refund Details for additional information and deadlines.

Contact

For more information about CTE Summer Academy, email Beth Mehr.

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