This program offers a science-based foundation with practical hands-on application to acquire basic skills associated with agriculture, covering everything from landscape and plant identification to animal care and breeding. Student leadership is developed through teamwork and FFA club activities. First-year students will learn about animals, natural resources, plant identification, soils, and other sciences. Second-year students enjoy the benefit of enhancing the skills learned and furthering their education in a more specific interest in either plant or animal science. Each year, plant science students raise production greenhouse plants for the spring plant sale and create dynamic floral pieces for district events. They also can compete at the Michigan Floral Conference and receive a student certification. Those studying Animal Science will learn to raise market-ready livestock, and all students have the opportunity to raise and compete with livestock at MSU and Jackson County Fair competitions.

Army JROTC is a character development program with emphasis on team building, decision making, and other skills necessary to become a motivated citizen. Cadets who join the Golden Knights Battalion will have the opportunity to explore exciting military careers—with no military obligation—while developing valuable leadership skills. Army JROTC leadership and education curriculum was developed nationally, and covers character development, leadership, physical fitness, American history, citizenship, government, English, geography, math, and military skills. There are many opportunities in this program for team building, advancement, self-discipline, and achievement all while giving back to the community.

Students with a love of cars will enjoy this program, in which they will learn to develop fundamental skills in shop safety, proper tool use, principles of damage diagnosis, and critical thinking. The experiential learning brings the earned right to identify one's self as a skilled mechanic. Jobs in the automotive collision repair industry can bring high wages, and positive reward. Once a student is proficient in the basic skills, more challenging tasks are taught, such as sectioning, welding fenders, dent repair, and paint refinishing. In this course, safety always comes first. Students will learn from demonstrations, and will develop safe and proper lab skills while working on individual and team projects. This program has received ASE Training Program accreditation by the ASE Education Foundation.

New industry technologies and automotive designs require highly-trained technicians more than ever. Students who complete this two-year program will have a basic understanding of today's automobile and be prepared for an entry-level transportation technician position. The Automotive Technology Program is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation (NATEF) and is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) student training site. Students learn the basics of vehicle service and shop/lab safety. They will learn repair techniques and proper usage of automotive tools to repair both gas and diesel vehicles, while also completing assigned projects in the lab. This program has received ASE Training Program accreditation by the ASE Education Foundation.

The Careers in Education program prepares students for college in the field of education as well as other careers working with children. The program explores many aspects of education, ranging from a historical perspective to modern-day practices. In this class, students explore various careers in the field of education, including counseling, social work, special education, teaching, and teaching assistants. Effective teaching techniques are taught while studying child growth and development, health and nutrition, positive guidance, curriculum planning, technology, and assessments. While working in the on-site preschool lab, students assist and plan age-appropriate lessons, observe professional educators, and develop classroom management and diverse learning skills. First-year students begin in a classroom environment, and demonstrate learning through presentations, research papers, and group activities before moving on to work in an early childhood setting. Second-year students return to work on their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Cybersecurity is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand across a number of different industries. These individuals have the option of specializing in certain areas including information technology or IT, ethical hacking, information defense, information assurance, risk manager, network protection, and more. Students in Cybersecurity will set up computer networks and prepare for various computer technician certifications. Special emphasis is also placed on the latest cybersecurity protocols and the prevention of computer hacking. Second-year students will be encouraged to find an internship for the second half of the school year. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in multiple cybersecurity competitions and take industry-related field trips.

In the Programming class, students will work both cooperatively and individually to create software, games, mobile apps, websites and smart gadgets (with Arduino). Students will use industry-standard languages (C#, SQL, Python, JavaScript, Java or C++) as they learn programming logic. First year students begin the year with guided instruction focusing on industry standard languages to create a solid programming foundation. Then students move into personal interest areas that are self-guided, project-based learning that focuses on exploring programming related topics. Second year students concentrate on taking their skills to the next level by working on special projects and developing leadership skills. They also have the opportunity to master two leading industry programming languages.

Houses, schools, factories, malls, roads, bridges – each needs to be built and maintained. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of occupation areas related to new house construction and remodeling as they rotate through two areas of focus. Students will also be exposed to residential occupations such as carpenters, roofers, siding installers, masons, and electricians. Second-year students proceed to the On Site classroom where they will work on building a large residential home (from the ground up!) in a nearby subdivision. These students experience all aspects of building a house, including carpentry framing, finish work, running wires and pipes, and the installation of interior doors, trim, and cabinets. In this class, safety comes first. All lessons are designed to reinforce the transferable core skills of working safely.

The two-year Cosmetology program provides students with theoretical education and hands-on experience to prepare for the State Board Exam. With hard work and dedication, students can become a licensed cosmetologist by the time they finish high school. The two-year program at the Career Center includes training and opportunities to work on clients in the Career Center's salon, The Studio. In addition to hair, nail and skin services, students will learn business skills along with applicable industry laws that they will need to ensure future success in the field. Each year, students compete in an annual hair and fashion event designed to promote creativity, talent, and leadership. Juniors participate in a fantasy mannequin competition, while seniors create a complete a head-to-toe look on a live model.

The restaurant industry is booming. Food preparation skills are in high demand. The Career Center's Culinary Arts program prepares students for success in a number of different food service settings. Students will learn the skills and action steps needed to manage real kitchen challenges. With the use of institutional kitchen equipment in the Changing Scenes Restaurant, students will prepare food from scratch and serve it in a casual dining setting. The restaurant often serves lunch throughout the school year, and caters for various JCISD events. Students learn about safety, recipe costing, food processing, purchasing, and the science behind food preparation. This class will also prepare students for several certifications, including Foundations of Restaurant Management, National ProStart, and ServSafe.

Students in this class will explore the dental field, and will focus on specialized training to aid the dentist during examinations and dental procedures. In addition to the core curriculum, students learn to perform medical or dental office procedures, along with laboratory duties and selected chair-side patient care procedures. The course offers a combination of health science academic topics and hands-on dental laboratory skills. Cooperative learning and teamwork activities are frequent, as students train in a modern dental laboratory complete with professional-level equipment. Students will learn health industry foundational skills including medical terminology, CPR, first aid, anatomy, vital signs, patient care skills, ethics, and OSHA health care standards.

Students with critical thinking, creative skills, and a problem solving mentality are in high demand by manufacturing, architecture, and other industries. The Engineering / Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum is designed to work in partnership with two pre-requisite programs taught in local schools: Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) and Principles of Engineering (POE). For students who complete these prerequisite courses or have instructor approval, the Career Center offers Digital Electronics (DE) and Engineering Design and Development (EDD). First semester students in the DE course will use computer simulations to learn about the logic of electronics while designing, testing, and constructing circuits and devices – including micro-controllers and programmable robots. In the second semester, students can complete the EDD course, where they will work in teams to develop engineering solutions through research, design, and construction.