Career & Technical Education – Programs of Interest

Academy of Media Design

Imagine a high school program where creativity, innovation, business savvy, and real-world digital skills come together. Our four-year Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication Academy introduces students to photography, video production, graphic design, storytelling, and media strategy through an exciting rotating “wheel” of courses. Every student builds a powerful foundation in the visual and digital communication skills that drive modern industries. By senior year, students can step into leadership roles or join our Yearbook Production team—an opportunity that blends creativity with project management, branding, marketing, and real production deadlines.

This academy isn’t just for artists or content creators—it’s built for future entrepreneurs, marketers, influencers, business owners, and anyone interested in understanding how today’s digital world works. Students gain hands-on experience using the same Adobe Creative Cloud tools that creative agencies, marketing departments, and major companies use every day. Whether a student hopes to design logos, build a personal brand, launch a YouTube channel, manage social media, or promote a future business, this program teaches the skills that bring ideas to life. With opportunities to earn Adobe Certified Professional credentials, students graduate with industry-recognized certifications that boost résumés, college applications, and career prospects.

Parents will appreciate that this program blends creativity with practical business value. Students learn to communicate visually and professionally, collaborate on projects, and approach media with a strategic mindset. They develop essential transferable skills such as branding, marketing communication, project management, and problem-solving. The senior-level Yearbook Production course offers real-world experience in advertising, publication design, team leadership, and deadline-driven production—skills relevant to any career path, not just creative ones.

To elevate the experience even further, students can participate in the Florida Scholastic Press Association, where they can compete, attend workshops, and learn from industry experts across journalism, design, broadcasting, and marketing. Whether a student dreams of working in media, running a business, leading a marketing team, or simply wants to understand the digital world they already live in, this academy offers a pathway that is both exciting and meaningful. It prepares students not only to create great content, but to leverage it—an essential skill in today’s media-driven economy.



 

Academy of Finance

The Academy of Finance introduces students to the broad career opportunities in the financial services industry. This Academy provides students with a rigorous business and finance program that includes relevant concepts and skills that are transferable to post secondary education and/or the workplace. Students graduating from this academy will leave Sunlake High School with a well-rounded education in general business and finance principles, employability skills, and on-the-job training.

Academy of Robotics

[No new students as of 2023-2024 school year.  Please apply to Angeline Academy of Innovation if you are interested in pursuing robotics and not already a part of Sunlake’s program.]

The purpose of this program is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of the principles and applications of robotics engineering and its effect upon our lives and the choosing of an occupation. The content and activities will also include the study of entrepreneurship, safety, and leadership skills. This program focuses on transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the science and mathematics knowledge, technological tools, machines, instruments, materials, processes and systems related to robotics.

Academy of Medical Skills

The medical world is vast and offers many career opportunities. Students in the SLHS Academy of Medical Skills learn the foundations of working with people, the human body, and medical techniques. As they grow, the students have the opportunity to engage in hands on learning and eventually earn certification as a Clinical Nursing Assistant.

Aerospace Career Academy

The Aerospace Career Academy program provides high school students with a dual enrollment model to introduce them to careers in aviation or aerospace. Here are additional resources with more information about the program.

Industry Certifications:

  • Ensure students receive a quality education based on uniform and globally recognized industry standard
  • Enrich student preparation with transferable skills for job placement, retention, and career advancement
  • Establish and maintain programs that allow students to demonstrate high levels of performance and distinguish themselves locally, regionally, and nationally
  • Create clear and rigorous standards aligned with curricula and entrance requirements for post secondary education and careers
  • Recognize student and program achievement
  • Afford structures and support for continuous improvement
  • Career academies are a particularly well researched reform approach. A number of comparison group evaluations showed positive impacts on academic outcomes including attendance, earned credits, graduation rates, college attendance rates, and also on labor market outcomes.
Programs / Academy Application

Elective Programs

In 2007 the Florida Legislature passed the Career and Professional Education Act. The purpose of the Act was to provide a statewide planning partnership between the business and education communities in order to attract, expand, and retain targeted, high-value industry and to sustain a strong, knowledge-based economy. The objectives of the Act are as follows:

  • To improve middle and high school academic performance by providing rigorous and relevant curriculum opportunities
  • To provide rigorous and relevant career-themed courses that articulate to postsecondary-level coursework and lead to industry certification
  • To support local and regional economic development
  • To respond to Florida’s critical workforce needs
  • To provide state residents with access to high-wage and high-demand careers
  • Industry Certifications

Industry certifications provide credibility, recognition of achievement, and assurance of quality. Certification benefits students, businesses, and academic institutions by identifying predictable levels of performance and informing the community that established criteria are being met.

Incoming 9th Graders: Apply to Our Career Academies Today

Jan 7, 2026 | , , , , , , , , , ,

We are excited to announce that the application window is now open for our Accounting & Business Academy and Digital Design Academy! These specialized academies offer incoming students a unique opportunity to explore career-focused pathways while building strong...

Fall Testing Dates & Schedule

Nov 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Upcoming Testing Dates FAST ELA Retakes: December 2 at 8:00 AM – Media Center CLT: December 3 Algebra 1 Retakes & Geometry: December 4 at 8:00 AM – Media Center US History & Biology EOC: December 5 at 8:00 AM – Labs 5-105 & 5-106 Exam Bell Schedule The...

Yearbook Staff Awarded “Gallery of Excellence”

May 13, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , ,

This year’s Yearbook Staff was awarded the “Gallery of Excellence” award by Walsworth Yearbooks.  This award is a recognition of design, photography, and journalism.  It is a prestigious distinction which honors the highest caliber yearbooks printed by Walsworth. ...