CTE Case Study- Carteret Public Schools
District Vitals
District: Carteret Public Schools is a K-12 school district that inspires and empowers students to be innovative, respectful, and confident leaders who will rise to shape the world.
Students: The district has more than 4,000 students with 80 high school students taking Woodworking 1 this school year. Additionally, 15 students at the junior high school are enrolled in the woodworking elective course.
Location: Carteret, New Jersey (about 15 miles south of Newark)
Grades using the Maplewoodshop program: 7-12
Teachers trained: One teacher trained for the high school course and two teachers trained for the junior high elective course.
Use: Carteret initially partnered with Maplewoodshop for its afterschool program at their middle school. It then expanded its woodworking offerings by adding
an elective course to its junior high school and courses at the high school.
Why Maplewoodshop?
Carteret Public Schools initially partnered with Maplewoodshop to offer woodworking at its afterschool program at the middle school. It then expanded its woodworking offering by having a woodworking elective course at its junior high school. With the positive impact the district was seeing at the middle and junior high school levels, and the district’s interest in providing different types of learning at the high school level, it expanded its partnership with Maplewoodshop and the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Funds to introduce carpentry to students at Carteret High School.
“We were looking to add a more hands-on class for students who are more tactile learners and woodworking fit perfectly. It was important for us to listen to students about what they wanted to learn and also provide more opportunities for career-based learning,” said Melissa Jones, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent at Carteret Public Schools. “Maplewoodshop has been a great partner in supporting our needs at the middle school level and we are thrilled with the number of students who have signed up to take the classes at the high school level.”
Educating with Maplewoodshop
Projects created: Multi-compartment tool tote, birdhouse, and bookcase
Concepts reinforced: Reading, math, critical thinking, safe and proper use of tools
Life Skills Learned/Reinforced: Teamwork, creativity, and ownership
High school students started with Woodworking 1 and follow the Carpenters International Training Funds (CITF) Career Connections curriculum provided by the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Funds. During Woodworking 1, students complete five projects, including making a multi-compartment tool tote, a birdhouse, and a bookcase.
“Students really enjoy woodworking and we have had a lot of success with it in the past few school years,” said Jones. “It made sense to expand the program to the high school level and give students more opportunities to learn about different career paths.”
What’s Next
The district plans to add Woodworking 2 and 3 courses, along with apprenticeship opportunities through its partnership with Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Funds.
“Students are excited for us to add these courses in the upcoming years and it’ll be a great program for them to receive certifications and identify career opportunities after graduation,” said Jones. “Our partnership with Maplewoodshop has really helped us provide more opportunities for all students.”
