Career & Technical Education (CTE) at Penn High School
Explore 66 Career & Technical Education Programs and Pathways
Find Your Passion. Find Your People. Find Your Pathway to Success.
At Penn High School, students don’t have to wait until graduation to start exploring their future careers!
Through 66 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and pathways, Penn students have opportunities to explore career interests, gain hands-on experience, earn college credits, and pursue industry-recognized certifications while completing their high school education.
From healthcare, engineering, and technology to business, finance, education, and the arts, Penn’s CTE programs connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
These programs help students personalize their high school experience and prepare for Indiana’s new diploma requirements and graduation pathways, aligned with their post-graduation goals of Enrollment in higher education, Employment, or Enlistment.
Penn High School CTE Programs: 66 Opportunities to Explore Your Future
Penn’s extensive Career and Technical Education offerings give students access to a wide variety of academic and career-focused learning experiences.
25 CTE Offerings at Penn High School
Students can explore career interests through CTE coursework offered directly at Penn High School.
Depending on the program, courses may include hands-on projects, industry-specific technology, career exploration, and advanced capstone experiences.
Penn’s career-focused offerings include opportunities in areas such as:
- Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship: Business management, financial services, insurance, and entrepreneurship.
- Engineering, Architecture & Technology: Engineering design, robotics, computer science, and architectural design.
- Healthcare & Human Services: Health sciences, healthcare careers, and human services.
- Education & Teaching: Early childhood education and education professions.
- Information Technology: Computer networking, cybersecurity, and IT-related career preparation.
- Culinary Arts & Hospitality: Food preparation, hospitality, and culinary career exploration.
Explore Penn High School’s Program of Studies for CTE Course Descriptions
30 CTE Opportunities Through the Elkhart Area Career Center
Penn High School partners with the Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC) to expand career and technical education opportunities for students.
Through EACC, eligible Penn students can pursue specialized career training and gain practical experience in fields such as:
- Automotive and diesel technology
- Welding and advanced manufacturing
- Construction trades
- Culinary arts
- Healthcare and dental careers
- Cosmetology
- Digital design, photography, and broadcasting
- Computer technology and networking
EACC programs provide opportunities for students to develop career-specific skills and explore technical careers while working toward high school graduation.
Explore Elkhart Area Career Center Programs
11 Fine Arts Pathways
Penn’s Fine Arts pathways give students opportunities to develop creative talents while exploring career possibilities in the arts, media, design, and communications.
Through coursework and performance opportunities, students can develop skills relevant to creative industries and future educational pursuits.
Explore Penn High School’s Academies
Earn Industry-Recognized Certifications Before Graduation
15+ Industry Certifications Across 10 Career Sectors
Penn High School offers students opportunities to pursue more than 15 industry-recognized certifications across 10 career sectors, helping them develop skills and credentials that may provide an advantage after graduation.
Depending on the pathway, students may prepare for certifications in fields such as technology, healthcare, architecture, finance, and other career areas.
These credentials can help students demonstrate career readiness, pursue additional training, and prepare for employment opportunities.
Earn College Credits Through CTE and Dual Credit Courses
Penn’s Career and Technical Education programs do more than introduce students to potential careers. Some pathways also offer dual credit opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits while completing high school coursework.
Dual credit courses can help students:
- Get a head start on college or technical education.
- Potentially reduce future college tuition expenses.
- Explore advanced subjects related to career interests.
- Build a stronger foundation for postsecondary education and training.
Penn partners with institutions such as Ivy Tech Community College to provide college credit opportunities through eligible courses.
Learn More About Penn’s Early College Academy
Hands-On Learning: From the Classroom to Real-World Careers
Career Pathways, Capstone Courses & Work-Based Learning
Penn’s CTE programs are designed to connect academic instruction with practical experience.
Students may have opportunities to participate in:
- Hands-On Learning: Apply classroom concepts through projects, simulations, and career-related activities.
- Capstone Courses: Build on earlier coursework through advanced, career-focused learning experiences.
- Work-Based Learning: Gain exposure to workplace expectations, professional skills, and industry practices.
- Career Exploration: Discover interests and develop a clearer understanding of potential careers.
- Industry Certifications: Pursue recognized credentials in eligible programs.
These experiences help students build technical knowledge, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence as they prepare for life after high school.
New Career Pathway Courses at Penn
Penn continues to expand its Career and Technical Education offerings to reflect emerging career opportunities and Indiana’s graduation requirements.
For the 2026–2027 school year, Penn introduced additional career-focused coursework and capstone experiences in areas including finance, education, architecture, and entrepreneurship.
Read More: New Career Pathway Courses Offered for the 2026–2027 School Year
CTE and Indiana’s New High School Diploma Requirements
Preparing Students for Enrollment, Employment or Enlistment
Beginning with the Class of 2029, Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements provide students with opportunities to personalize their education around their post-graduation goals.
Penn’s Career and Technical Education programs can help students explore pathways aligned with:
Enrollment in Higher Education
Prepare for college, technical education, or advanced training through academic coursework, dual credit opportunities, and career exploration.
Employment
Develop career-specific skills through CTE coursework, work-based learning, industry certifications, and capstone experiences.
Enlistment
Explore courses and educational experiences that may help students prepare for military service and related public service careers.
Specific courses, credentials, and experiences may contribute toward Indiana’s diploma readiness seals when applicable requirements are met.
Learn More About Indiana’s New Diploma Requirements and Graduation Pathways
Explore CTE Opportunities Through Penn’s Eight Academies
Penn High School’s eight Academies help create smaller, personalized learning communities where students can explore interests, build relationships, and develop academic plans aligned with their future goals.
Through the Academy structure, students can connect with teachers and peers who share their interests while benefiting from Penn’s extensive academic and extracurricular opportunities.
BIG Opportunities. REAL Connections.
Whether students are interested in engineering, healthcare, business, education, the arts, or technology, Penn provides opportunities to explore their passions and plan for their futures.
Plan Your Career Pathway at Penn High School
Explore Courses, Graduation Requirements & Scheduling Resources
Choosing a Career and Technical Education pathway is an opportunity for students to connect their interests with future educational and career goals.
Penn encourages students and families to review course offerings, explore available pathways, and work with school counselors to develop an academic plan.
Helpful Resources
- Penn High School Program of Studies — Explore course descriptions, prerequisites, and career pathways.
- Penn High School’s Eight Academies — Discover academic programs and personalized learning opportunities.
- Indiana Diploma Requirements & Graduation Pathways — Learn how course selections can support graduation and postsecondary goals.
- Elkhart Area Career Center — Explore specialized career and technical education programs.
Questions About Penn High School CTE Programs?
Students and families are encouraged to contact the Penn High School Counseling Center for information about CTE courses, scheduling, prerequisites, and career pathway planning.
Penn High School Counseling Center
Phone: (574) 258-9502
Click here a contact information for Penn’s Counseling Office Staff.
Enroll in Penn High School
Whether you’re new to the district, transferring from another high school or preparing to enter 9th grade, we’re here to help you get started.
Not sure if your address is within the district? Use the P-H-M District Boundaries Map to verify your residency.
Need assistance with scheduling a registration appointment and reviewing required documents?
Main Office: (574) 258-9500
Enrollment Questions: (574) 258-9503
Registration Appointments: (574) 254-2851