Castle High School Academies Structure
| School Year 2024 - 2025 |
| Adopted SY 23-24 |
| SCHOOL ACADEMY CERTIFICATIONS |
|
National Career Academies Coalition (NCAC) Model Academies
|
|
In 2009 the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) introduced a career academy review process based on the National Standards of Practice (NSOP). The review process identifies career academies around the country, in urban, suburban and rural settings that exemplify the career academy research-based best practices with evidence of fidelity to the NSOP. Academies earn NCAC accreditation through the review process which requires providing evidence of fidelity to the NSOP, and an on-site visit or virtual review with two certified NSOP reviewers. The score earned determines a rating of the academy: “Model with Distinction”, “Model,” “Certified,” or “In-progress.” Certification status is maintained for four years.
*Academies that attained Model with Distinction status. |
| SCHOOL ACADEMY CONFIGURATIONS |
| ACADEMY STRUCTURE: The Academy school design enables students to make academic choices best suited to their individual career interests. Each of the upper Academies house specific pathways, where the curriculum is tailored to career and technical education skills and content. To ensure that students are making connections to real world industry positions and career opportunities, all Academies have advisory boards with industry partners. At Board meetings, industry professionals provide guidance and opportunities to help support the college and career readiness initiative. Through leveraging the Academy design, Castle High School graduates are able to demonstrate employability skills needed to be successful in any environment. Students are responsible for their own development from the onset of their time at Castle High School, equipping them with college and career readiness skills. |
|
FRESHMAN ACADEMY
Students start out in the Freshman Academy where they learn necessary academic and social-emotional skills to ensure success for the high school years that follow. The Academy offers a freshman seminar/health course that promotes good decision making skills, effective conflict resolution strategies, and students’ physical and emotional wellbeing. The Academy has many community partnerships, most notably with TRiO at Windward Community College and Junior Achievement (JA). JA’s umbrella organizations, which include First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawaii, provide opportunities for students to attend guest speaker seminars to learn more about possible career options. Along with guest speaker seminars, the Freshman Academy visits the University of Hawaii and Windward Community College when possible to do so. With much to be proud of, the Freshman Academy was the first Academy at Castle to obtain National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) certification, a huge accomplishment in establishing academic rigor at our school.
|
|
.ARTS & BUSINESS ACADEMY
There are three pathways within the Arts & Business Academy: business, theater arts, and digital design. (The visual arts pathway closed this year.) The Castle Performing Arts Center, or CPAC, hosts all genres of performances and supports the Theatre Arts Pathway. The Theater Pathway contains a sequence of Theater Craft classes that focus on set construction, lighting, sound and other technical skills. The theater curriculum is designed to develop students' artistic skills, creativity, and an understanding of visual language.
Business classes cover a broad range of topics aimed at providing students with a foundational understanding of various aspects of business. Students start with a business basics course before they move on to entrepreneurship courses, and during their senior year, they have an opportunity to take a work-based learning course geared towards helping students develop on-the-job skills in their desired career fields. Finally, in the digital design pathway, students learn what it takes to work professionally with clients, and how to take a project from concept through production. Students learn to use Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator. These are the same programs professional graphic designers use, so students will leave this program with real-world skills that will help them get a meaningful career in a variety of media and design fields. |
| BUSINESS |
In business classes, students learn skills to become a future business owner, or have a career in either marketing, finance, hospitality, management or human resources. It is taught by Ms. Lubi Johns. Students learn basic and advanced communication skills, for example practice role play, presentations and “Shark Tank Pitch” in front of an audience. All the students earn Interview and Communication Skills Certification and participate in a Mock Interview. Students learn by completing projects either with a partner or in a small team and write a “Mini Business Plan” as a final project. Entrepreneurship classes focus on leadership, time management, and critical thinking skills. During senior year, students have an opportunity to take a work-based learning course and complete an internship or job shadow to practice on-the-job skills. Past placements have included King Windward Nissan, wedding planners, and local small business owners.
|
| DIGITAL DESIGN |
The Digital Design Pathway prepares students for a career in digital art and graphic design. It is taught by Mr. Jason Ventura. Students will learn what it takes to work professionally with clients, and how to take a project from concept through production. Students learn to use industry-leading graphic design software and printing equipment and will design and create professional-looking products such as websites, t-shirts, stickers, flyers, posters and much, much more. Opportunities in the Digital Design pathway include dual-credit early-college design classes with Windward Community College professors, work-based learning opportunities with local industry professionals, and certifications in key software and skill sets.
|
| THEATER ARTS |
|
|
MEDICAL SERVICES/CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY
The Academy of Medical Services & Culinary Arts tagline is Empathy-Service-Skill. The Medical pathway is supported by a grant program called E Ola Pono. This program prepares Native Hawaiian students for entry-level jobs, post-secondary education, or training in the healthcare industry. Students in the Medical pathway complete a college/career portfolio, community service project, career shadowing, internship, and become first aid/CPR and HIPAA certified. The Medical pathway partners with community businesses and non-profit organizations such as Pohai Nani retirement home, Alu Like Inc, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, US Army, Windward Community College, and Kapiolani Community. In the Culinary pathway, students are immersed in the art and science of cooking and food preparation. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics to provide a comprehensive understanding of culinary techniques, kitchen management, and culinary creativity. In the past, students have participated in culinary opportunities, like assisting local chef Sam Choy on his cooking show and obtaining SERVSafe Food Handler Certifications to be employable in any food establishment.
|
| CULINARY |
In culinary classes, students are immersed in the art and science of cooking and food preparation. The curriculum covers various topics to provide a comprehensive understanding of culinary techniques, kitchen management, and culinary creativity. In the past, students have participated in a wide variety of culinary opportunities, like assisting local chef Sam Choy on his cooking show and also obtaining SERVSafe and State of Hawai’i Food Handler Certifications to be employable in any food establishment. The course is taught by Mrs. Jacynthia Mitchell.
|
| MEDICAL |
The overall objective is for students to learn the foundational skills and content needed to be successful in the medical field. More importantly, students will learn how the body functions, the diseases and disorders that affect it, and how to treat and heal the body. This will help them improve their overall health as well as help their friends and family. Students will learn how to take basic vitals such as temperature, pulse, and blood pressure as well as what the normal and abnormal ranges are. Students will also learn the structure and function of each of the body systems and the diseases and disorders that affect them. Along with learning about the body, students will be learning about different career paths in the medical field. Students are encouraged to explore and find a career that best fits their strengths and abilities. The medical pathway is partially funded by the E Ola Pono grant from Alu Like which is meant to promote Native Hawaiians to enter the medical workforce in Hawaii. This grant allows for extra learning opportunities such as field trips and guest speakers. It also provides extra funding to buy supplies and equipment for the medical pathway. In the junior year, the Advanced Health Services course is taken concurrently with Human Physiology. This allows the teachers to cover the same body systems at the same time. In the senior year, students become mentors and teach the vitals to the new 10th-grade students. This builds a sense of community within the pathway classes. The beginning course is taught by Mr. Brian Citro and the advanced courses are taught by Mr. Aaron Tsuha.
Incorporates a wide range of medical careers, foundational healthcare and safety skills, function and structure of body systems, traditional Hawaiian healthcare philosophies, and ethics
|
|
INNOVATION
The Innovation Academy is heavily STEM based, housing the engineering, natural resources, and automotive pathways. All of these pathways are connected to secondary partners within the University of Hawaii system. The natural resources pathway is home to 7 acres of on-campus farmland and prepares students for careers in agriculture and land management. On the farm, students learn indigenous and Western approaches to agriculture and farming while also gaining entrepreneurial and managerial skills along the way. The program places emphasis on Native Hawaiian cultural foundations, nurturing a sense of belonging to and a responsibility for the land. Through a grant from the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation, students have the opportunity to get paid for their time on the farm after school hours. Community partners that support the natural resources program include the Kualoa Ranch, Suma Farms, He‘eia NERR, and the University of Hawaiʻi’s sustainability programs.
|
| AUTO |
In auto shop class, students learn the practical skills and knowledge necessary for working with automobiles, including maintenance, repair, and overall automotive systems. This class combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience to prepare students for careers in automotive repair and maintenance. The curriculum often emphasizes problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of automotive systems. The course is taught by Mr. Noel Alarcon.
|
| ENGINEERING |
In engineering, students are exposed to a wide range of theoretical concepts and practical skills related to the field of engineering. The curriculum is designed to provide a foundation in the engineering design process and applies math and science to solve design challenges. Students will be investigating concepts in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Some of the design projects include bridges, electric bug, human wheelbarrow, and catapults. This course aims to equip students with a strong foundation in the engineering design process, collaboration, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. It is taught by Ms. Malia Vaughn.
|
| NATURAL RESOURCES |
In a natural resources class, students typically explore the sustainable management, conservation, and utilization of Earth's natural resources. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics related to the environment, ecology, and the responsible use of natural assets. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and the importance of responsible stewardship to ensure the long-term health and viability of Earth's natural resources. The course is taught by Mr. Carlos Severson.
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
|
|
NAVIGATORS
The Academy of Navigators is reserved for the school’s high needs population, supporting students in life skills at home and in the community. Students are given the same project-based learning opportunities that drive Castle High School’s vision of developing global citizens who positively contribute to society. Navigator students participate in sheltered work programs on and off campus. On campus, students learn professional interpersonal skills by way of selling coffee, working on the school’s farm, working in parking lots as attendants, and offering services in the Media center such as laminating and preparing materials for teachers. Off campus, there is currently a cohort of students working on the Kaneohe Marine Base. And, before COVID, students had their own delegation with Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. These opportunities ensure that, no matter what the students’ backgrounds
|