Students can earn college credit while taking high school classes at the Career Center. Learn More.

The Career Center serves Ashland, Christian Fellowship, Columbia Independent, Douglass, Family Worship Center, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Hickman, and Rock Bridge.

Normally students enroll through their sending school. If you have questions, contact our guidance career counselors.

Classes housed at Career Center AND Rock Bridge HS - Bell Schedule (A / B Days)

HOUR	Time Slot
First Block (1-2CC) (RB)	7:50 - 9:20 a.m.
Second Block (3-4CC) (RB)	9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Third Block (5-6CC) (RB)	11:50 - 1:20 a.m.
Fourth Block (7-8CC) (RB)	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
50 minute class (7CC only)	1:30 - 2:20 p.m.
3 credit block class - AM (1-3CC) (RB)	7:50 - 10:20 a.m.
3 credit block class - PM (5-7CC) (RB)	11:50 - 2:20 p.m.

Be sure to check out the Career Center 2007-08 calendar for A / B day schedule. (08-09 Calendar)

Check the student's schedule to be positive where it is located. If you see:
CC means located at Career Center (hour will be indicated followed by CC)
Example 1CC-2CC means 1st block held at CC from 7:50 - 9:20 a.m.

HH means located at Hickman High School (hour will be indicated followed by HH)
Example: 6HH means 6th hour held at HHS every day from 1:00 - 1:50 p.m.

RB means located at Rock Bridge High School (hour will be indicated followed by RB)
Example: 5-6 RB means during 3rd block held at RB from 11:50 - 1:20 pm.

If the class is held at HHS then it will be on the traditional 50-minute schedule, which meets daily. If it is offered at RBHS or at the Career Center, depending on the number of credits for the course, it could meet on the alternating day class (indicated with an A or B day - 1 credit course) or every day (indicated with AB - 2 credit course).

3 credit class - meets every day from either 7:50 - 10:20 am OR 11:50 - 2:20 pm
2 credit class - meets every day for one full block
1 credit class - meets every other day for one block
1/2 credit class - (if held at Career Center or RBHS) meets every other day for a semester;
(if held at HHS) meets every day for 50 minutes for a full semester.

Career Center classes housed at Hickman HS

HOUR	Time Slot
Zero Hour	6:55 - 7:45 a.m.
First Hour	7:45 - 8:35 a.m.
Second Hour	8:45 - 9:35 a.m.
Third Hour	9.40 - 10:30 a.m.
Fourth Hour	10:35 - 11:25 a.m.
Fifth Hour	11:30 - 12:55 a.m.
A Lunch	11:25 - 12:05 p.m.
B Lunch	12:20 - 1:00 p.m.
Sixth Hour	1:00 - 1:50 p.m.
Seventh Hour	1:55 - 2:45 pm

No in most cases. Some programs offer adult enrollment as well as student. Contact our Professional and Community Education programs if you have questions.

A student with a disability needs to tell his/her career/technical instructor that they have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. The instructor will notify the VRE, or the student may ask to speak with the VRE directly. Accommodations may include: reading tests, providing a person to script oral responses, or editing written work. The VRE may also assist students in studying for tests, or assisting with projects/research, etc. VREs provide an alternative learning environment, such as a quiet place to study or take tests. Learn more.

Parents, career/technical teachers, and counselors can refer high school students enrolled in career/technical classes to receive assistance with reading, writing, and mathematics. Students can receive help in the Learning Center at the Career Center and in Room 51A at Hickman High School. Students can receive help during the school day, before, and after school by appointment. Students are encouraged to meet with the Academic Support Instructors during the students' study halls or unassigned periods. Learn more

This is a program designed for students in the Columbia Public School District who are under the age of 21 and unsuccessful in the traditional high school setting. This is an opportunity for students to attend a full-time day education program (2 or 3 credit classes only) where half of the day is spent in career and technical education training and half of the day is spent preparing for the high school equivalency exam. Learn more.

Absolutely. Most students who plan from 9th grade on can take courses they need for academic preparation as well as career/technical education.

Free summer school is an opportunity for students to get core classes necessary for graduation and free up time during their yearly schedule for Career center courses. Graduated students have been quoted saying their Career Center courses allowed them the opportunity to put theoretical knowledge to experience. This experience has set students apart while applying for scholarships, internships and college applications. Our courses sequence students toward their goal.

Research shows that students who have taken career/technical education courses often do as well or better in college than their counterparts because they have a specific career goal.

THEN: Vocational Education	NOW: Career Education
For Some Students	For All Students
For a Few Jobs	For 21st Century Workforce
Limited to traditional trades	Emerging High Skills, High Demand, High Tech Careers
In place of Academics	Strengthens Academics through Relevant Applications
High School Credit	College and High School Credit
High School Diploma	Lifetime Opportunities

Career Center students can develop leadership and compete in a variety of academic contests by joining organizations like FFA (Agriculture), DECA (Marketing), FBLA (Business), FCCLA (family and community), and SkillsUSA (Technical). Ask you instructor about joining a club!

The Career Center recognizes students based on workplace expectations at I-Can breakfasts and classroom achievement at the yearly awards ceremony.

We have local business Partners in Education like MU-Administrative services, MFA, the Columbia Mall, J.C. Penney Company, River Region Credit Union, and the City of Columbia.

Are there student handbooks or course syllabi available?
Course syallabi can be accessed in the high school course pages. Here are the CPS handbook and the Career Center handbook insert.

Yes. View this video on how to use web access. If you don't have a user name yet, you'll need to fill out this form and return it to the Career Center.