Santee School District has secured a $215,000 grant through California's Strong Workforce Program to launch a new Career Technical Education (CTE) initiative that will give 7th and 8th grade students hands-on exposure to high-demand career fields.

The program is designed to blend academic learning with real-world skills that prepare students for both college and the workforce, including communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Students will also have access to connections with industry professionals and post-secondary education partners.

Dan Prouty, who has served in various leadership roles within the district, has been appointed as Manager of the new CTE program. "Career Technical Education opens doors for students to discover their interests and begin building real-world skills at an early age," Prouty said. "We're excited to bring these hands-on, engaging opportunities to Santee students and help connect their learning today to the careers of tomorrow."

The first 12-week elective, Digital Media, was developed in collaboration with teachers from the Grossmont Union High School District and is scheduled to launch in fall 2026. Additional electives in Health Science (Sports Medicine) and Information and Communication Technologies are planned for the 2027-28 school year, eventually creating a full-year elective offering for students across all K-8 schools in the district.

Programs were selected to align with San Diego County-identified labor shortage areas, ensuring students are introduced to fields where workforce demand is highest.