Dr. Michael Luseni, principal of the CTE program for Minneapolis Public Schools. (Al Zdon)
Kids in Northeast Minneapolis and across the city now have a new way to go to school — one that will help them learn hands-on about a career path that interests them.
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) center at Edison High School officially opened its doors in December, but it has been offering programs for a couple of years. It joins CTEs at North High School, which has been up and running for about two years, and Roosevelt High School, which will be completed in 2028.
Students at any of the district’s seven high schools can take CTE courses, either online or in-person, just by signing up. Classes include fields like automotive work, computer science, construction, health care, engineering, media arts and welding.
The two official course offerings at Edison are business, one of the most popular programs in the city, and urban agriculture. For the time being, a small-engine repair course is also located at the school.
The CTE center occupies the space that used to house a car repair facility at the back of the high school on the south end of the building. It has a separate entrance and security system from the rest of the school.
Career education is nothing new for Minneapolis Schools. In years past, students could opt for the Miller Vocational High School to learn trades and careers such as nursing and woodworking. “Voc” High School closed in 1976.
Since then, each of the seven high schools has offered career-path courses. Edison, for example, offered business, cosmetology and media arts. Washburn offered aviation and tourism.
The trouble was that you had to attend that school to take those courses.
The CTE program began in 2023 and removed those zip code barriers. Any student at any school can sign up for the career path where they find their passion at any of the three CTE centers.
They can then take courses in person by traveling on a shuttle that will take them from their school to a CTE and then drive them back. Alternatively, they can take a course online. Courses like automotive work tend to require hands-on training, while courses like business can be taken using a computer.
The commons of the CTE center at Edison High School with movable furniture to accommodate various uses. (Al Zdon)
A school within the schools
Dr. Michael Luseni is the principal for the CTE program. The district looks at CTE like a separate school with its own leadership and staff. 31 teachers serve the program.
“One of the biggest differences with the CTE centers is that the student is not changing schools,” Luseni said. “The students can remain part of their local school, take all their other courses there, do sports, whatever.”
For those who travel during the day to a CTE center, though, it’s an additional chance to make new friends from all over the city and to meet people who have a similar interest in a career field.
Luseni stressed that the program is just getting started. “I have to caution people that with a project this big, it takes time to get people on board. But we’re gaining traction. We just have to get the word out. We need to build on awareness and marketing.”
Luseni said that CTE programs in other states, which were started some years ago, now have a problem of waiting lists — not enough space to handle all the students who want to participate.
The CTE program in Minneapolis will undergo a schedule change next year to encourage more in-person attendance for its courses.
At the Edison CTE, there are 44 students enrolled in the urban agriculture program and about 200 in the business program.
Exploring careers
The CTE program is primarily supported by a Congressional bill called the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The Perkins funding has not been the subject of government downsizing.
“Students can follow their passion by getting into a career path more intensely. They can decide then that, ‘It’s not for me,’ or continue on with credits already earned.”
Luseni said the classes offer real-world information on a career path. “Before it might have been theoretical, but now it’s practical. They’re learning from teachers who are in the field, using equipment that is used in the industry.”
The CTE has strong ties to area technical colleges, community colleges, or universities where learners can transfer their CTE credits and continue on their chosen career path. Or they can enroll in these post-secondary institutions and attend while still in high school.
The beginning CTE courses often give a student real-time knowledge about a career, earnings expectancy, skills involved and where the jobs are. “It allows kids to see the big picture.”
While the program is slowly building, it does have one very bright spot: graduation rates. Students in the program are graduating at a much higher level than their peers, and at about the state and national rates for all high schools.
“A student can follow their passion, or they may decide on a different passion,” Luseni said. “They can learn from mistakes in real time. They can get a head start on their lives.”