Highland School of Technology

This pathway helps further the students' ability to operate computer skills used in today's engineering technology careers. Studies emphasize the skills needed to build, upgrade, configure and troubleshoot computers, peripherals.[2] Students will have the opportunity to gain their own Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) certification.

Equips students with the understanding of the economy in our history and in today's society. This pathway also teaches students how to make sound choices for their future. It provides students with industry-related courses of study, while enabling them to complete internships at leading financial services corporations, obtain employment after graduation, and pursue higher education.[2]

This pathway focuses on the many health care jobs that are available. Students will learn how to become sufficient and responsible health team members throughout the courses. Also, during students' senior year, they will have the opportunity to intern at local hospitals where they will actually put their skills to the test. These students will be given the opportunity to gain their Nurse Aide Level I certification at the completion of this pathway.[2]

Similar to the Allied Health Science pathway, Medical Science prepares students to become professional health care team workers. Emphasis in the classroom is placed on research, communication, computer literacy, health team relations, problem solving and decision making.[2] During students' senior year, they must complete a 40 or more hour mentorship with a local health care professional.

As the smallest pathway at Highland School of Technology, and the only high school dental program in North Carolina, Dental Sciences will prepare students for careers in the dental field. Students will perform entry-level skills in the two laboratories that are inside of the classrooms and even in local dental care offices as well.[2] They will also have the opportunity to become radiology certified by the state of North Carolina within their years of study. During their senior year, students must intern at local dental practices to experience hands-on skills.

All students in this pathway perform daily skills in a series of classes in a laboratory setting.[2] They work with others on computer programs and machines (located in the school campus' mechanic study laboratory) to complete projects and study objectives that help them understand more about the industry.

The 2011–2012 Senior Engineering class recently completed a joint venture partnership with Daimler Trucks North America, in which they were taught many different engineering processes used at the Daimler plant in Gastonia, NC. They were taught by 3 of Daimlers engineers. The students also built 3 Lego UNIMOGs, a European truck produced by Daimler. The students then modified these trucks using spare parts. They incorporated Bluetooth technology into each machine, making them controllable from and Android Smartphone. The work that the students did was recognized by the Gaston County School board. This learning venture was the first of its kind in Gaston County.

Graphic communications simply offer students an overview of graphic design.[2] Students will study the fundamentals of digital file preparation, principles of design, web graphics, web page layout, and web site design. Daily they will work with programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator in a Macintosh computer lab located on campus.[2] During the students' senior year, they will use video production equipment and software to produce and host RAM-TV, Highland School of Technology's news show.[2]