Family and Consumer Sciences

Students enrolled in Child Development and Parenting learn about parenting roles and responsibilities and parenting practices that maximize human growth and development. They focus on ensuring a healthy start for parent and child, balancing work and family, and understanding support systems that provide services for families. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course is included in the following career pathways:
Education & Training
Human Services

Culinary Arts 1 provides students with a foundational understanding of the food service industry and opportunities to build technical skills in food preparation and service. Students examine basic rules of kitchen safety and sanitation, purchasing and receiving, nutrition, and menu development. The curriculum incorporates culinary applications of math, science, and technology. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This is a double-blocked course. This is a transport specialty program located at select schools.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Hospitality & Tourism - Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts 2 students progress to hands-on mastery of advanced culinary skills. They build on skills acquired in Culinary Arts 1 to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the food service industry, including kitchen safety and sanitation, nutritional principles, and advanced food-preparation techniques. Students may earn a food service certification as part of this course. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This is a double-blocked course. This is a transport specialty program located at select schools.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Hospitality & Tourism - Culinary Arts

Early Childhood, Education, and Services 1 students prepare to be primary providers of child care services. Students plan, organize, and conduct learning experiences that provide safe and healthy learning environments; promote physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development; utilize curricula responsive to children’s needs; and promote family engagement. Students examine local, state, and federal regulations for early childhood education and services environments and professional expectations for early childhood education and services professionals. Coursework prepares students for balancing work and family, identifying education and training requirements, and entering careers in the education and training and human services career clusters. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This is a double-blocked course.

** Check with your counselor to see if this course is offered as dual enrollment at your school.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Education & Training

Students are introduced to early childhood education through hands-on experiences in programs for young children, including pre-kindergarten and primary grades. The course explores child development, classroom organization, and professional practices, while emphasizing strategies that support creativity through art, music, and movement. Students learn approaches for fostering exploration and play, and gain techniques for supporting exceptional learners and English Language Learners. This course provides a foundation for careers in early childhood education and related fields.

This is a double-blocked course.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Education & Training

Early Childhood, Education, and Services 2, a specialized course for students with career interests in early childhood education and services, builds upon concepts introduced in Early Childhood, Education, and Services 1. Students plan, organize, and conduct learning experiences that provide safe and healthy learning environments; promote physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development; utilize curricula responsive to children’s needs; and promote family engagement. Students expand their knowledge of legal, ethical, and education and training requirements for early childhood professionals. Reviewing knowledge, skills, and aptitudes required for careers in early childhood careers and creating a professional portfolio assist students with demonstrating college and career readiness. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This is a double-blocked course.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Education & Training

Students learn to observe and document children’s development in early learning settings using a variety of techniques. Emphasis is placed on gathering and analyzing data related to physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. The course includes a minimum of 30 hours of field experience and prepares students to apply observation skills in supporting effective early childhood education practices.

This is a double-blocked course.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Education & Training

The Family Relations course empowers students to navigate life decisions in family, romantic, and peer relationships. Students gain a broad understanding of the structures, functions, and responsibilities of families. They explore strategies and skills to build a strong sense of self and foster healthy relationships. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Human Services

Independent Living students become prepared to meet the challenges of living on their own. Students build life skills focusing on creating and maintaining healthy relationships and making responsible financial, consumer, nutrition, and housing decisions. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Human Services

Individual Development students focus on cultivating positive future orientation; developing skills to build healthy relationships with family, peers, and community members; managing stress and conflict; and preparing to become college- and career-ready. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Human Services

In Introduction to Culinary Arts, students investigate food safety and sanitation, culinary preparation foundations, basic culinary skills, diverse cuisines, service styles, basic nutrition, and the economics of food. Students also explore postsecondary education options and career opportunities within the food service industry. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Hospitality & Tourism

Introduction to Early Childhood Education students explore different types of early childhood education programs and delivery models, develop safe and healthy learning environments for children, and identify the ages and stages of child development and developmentally appropriate practices that support child development from birth through age 12. Students explore balancing work and family, professionalism, and education and training requirements for multiple early childhood education career pathways during the course. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):
Education & Training

Introduction to Fashion Careers students learn what it takes to be successful in fashion by exploring careers within the industry. Instruction focuses on applied experiences, with students exploring the design process and demonstrating basic fashion design techniques. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

Life Planning equips students with life skills. Creating and maintaining healthy work and family relationships, planning for a meaningful career, practicing responsible citizenship, exploring personal health and wellness, and developing a life-management plan are emphasized through relevant life applications. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):

• Human Services

Students investigate the principles of nutrition and wellness, use science and technology in food management, ensure food safety, plan menus, prepare food, and explore careers. Students prepare for careers by using critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills as well as other workplace readiness skills. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):
Human Services
Hospitality & Tourism

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) 1 fosters student interest, understanding, and appreciation of the teaching profession and allows secondary students to explore careers in the education and training career cluster and related pathways. Students build a foundation for teaching; learn the history, structure, and governance of teaching; apply professional teaching techniques in classroom and field experiences; and reflect on their teaching experiences. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course connects to the following career pathways:
Education & Training

This course introduces students to the teaching profession and the foundations of education, including historical, philosophical, social, legal, and ethical aspects. Students explore child and adolescent development, learning how physical, cognitive, and social stages influence classroom environments. Students will participate in classroom observations in K–12 settings. The course also supports college and career readiness through activities focused on study skills, academic planning, and resources for success in post-secondary education. Students gain insight into teaching as a career while building skills for future education and professional growth. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills.

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):
Education & Training

Students continue to explore careers in the education and training career cluster and related pathways. This course provides hands-on opportunities for students to examine careers in education, observe professional practice, and apply professional standards and educational theory. In an authentic practicum experience, students will be able to teach lessons, manage classrooms, create learning opportunities, and build their professional portfolio in the process. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality, work-based learning will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations. 

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):
Education & Training

This course continues to prepare future educators to teach in diverse classrooms and manage positive learning environments. Students explore culturally responsive teaching, equity, and inclusion while learning strategies for classroom and behavioral management. Students participate in internship opportunities that provide hands-on experience as teacher assistants and tutors in K–12 settings. The course emphasizes professional communication, lesson planning, and advocacy, helping students develop the skills and confidence needed for success in education careers. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.

This course is included in the following career pathway(s):
Education & Training