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​Twice a week, students in the patient care program wear their scrubs to school.

“Other students take notice and inquire, 'What class is that?'" said Vickey Martinez, who teaches medical assisting at Rubidoux High School. “The students will tell them about the injection part of the course, which makes them proud that they can do this skill confidently." 

This pride in learning typifies Career Technical Education (CTE) students at Rubidoux High. 

​“They enter our program as wide-eyed unemployed students and leave as dedicated, hard-working, responsible professionals," said Ryan Bailey, a video and television production teacher at Rubidoux. 

Program Overview 

This year, RHS offers CTE courses in agriculture, auto body, foodservice and hospitality, patient care, photography, and video production. The classes, which emphasize hands-on, real-world learning, combine academic and technical skills and align coursework with needs in the Inland job market.  They also help students learn soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Nearly 700 of Rubidoux's 1,564 students are currently enrolled in CTE courses, said RHS Principal Jose Araux.  

“CTE prepares students for college and careers and fosters creativity and innovation," Dr. Araux said.

What's New

​Learning Without Limits 

​At Rubidoux, CTE courses help students experiment, overcome obstacles, and learn without limits. CTE culinary, for example, gives students the freedom to explore and be creative, said Fernando Arjon, culinary arts teacher. 

Ms. Vanaselja said, “We have many students who have learning challenges and the 'learn by doing' structure really works well for these students. They are able to shine in our ag classes, where they may be struggling in every other class." 

Matthew George, a teacher of digital photography, recalled a student who struggled with schoolwork after enduring a loss: “In digital photography, this student was able to start expressing their loss through photography and in turn was  able to get through their loss through creative expression. It was a great moment to see others share and encourage the student with personal empathy and kindness. That class became a family in a sense." 

​What's Unique

​At Rubidoux High, many elements of CTE help the programs stand apart. For example: 

• Dr. Araux notes that the RHS medical assistant program enables students to earn state certification, signaling a readiness to join the medical workforce and increasing opportunities for employment after high school or college. 

• Agriculture teachers Kelsey Finnicum and Kayla Vanaselja emphasized that RHS is one of the only high schools in California to have horses on campus. “The students really enjoy our horsemanship classes and we are always full to capacity and have a waiting list," Ms. Vanaselja said. Ms. Finnicum added: “We are very lucky to have horses on our campus and that we have such a large agriculture lab facility (10-acre farm) for the students to use." 

• Mr. George said the RHS digital media and arts pathway is unique for its comprehensiveness. “Students go through photo and video for a more comprehensive and multifaceted approach to visual arts," he said. “With this strategy, students are more flexible, competitive, and valuable because they know much more than a student who only has one technical skill."
  

In Students' Words

Agriculture: Diana, a sophomore who wants to teach ag, enjoys the challenge of showing animals to advantage: “This class has taught me about feeder pigs, horses, sheep, and goats. It teaches students about respect and the proper way to care for animals. I love it!" 

Auto Body: Terry, a junior who plans to attend a trade school, enjoys hands-on work, including welding, dent-filling, and other auto-repair techniques: “This class challenges us to improve our skillset for the future. It is teaching me how to use tools in the right way."

Food Services and Hospitality: Emily, a senior who wants to be a dermatologist or nurse, has learned how to cook and manage a school café with smoothie makers, dishwashers, food preparers, cashiers, sales, and delivery: “The food we prepare is great and we are making a name for ourselves."

​Patient Care: Austin, a junior, plans to attend college and become a registered nurse. Initial steps toward that goal, including CPR certification, have been achieved at RHS: “It is rewarding when you learn to save another person's life. Knowing that you understand the steps to revive patients is a great feeling."

Photography: Koby, a senior who plans a career in photography, said, “My goal is to take a perfect picture. I am learning about the right settings on a camera, how to use a lightroom, and how to use lenses. The lenses we have in photography are golden."   

Video Production: Damien, a junior who plans to join the Marines and attend college, enjoyed editing a video on animal showmanship from classmates' trip to the fair. “I like in this class that we work as a team," he said. “We run a show for the entire school. We give up our time during advisory to make sure that it is a good production every day."    

Closing Thoughts 

​Barbara Fragoso, who teaches courses in patient care, said, “Every year more students are interested in these classes." 

Mr. Bailey added, “Our CTE programs are unique and highly sought after in terms of employers seeking workers. Our CTE programs have become staples on our campus. You cannot say Rubidoux without mentioning the awesome CTE classes we offer here. They represent a tradition and long history which is ingrained on our crest and embedded in our values: courage, commitment and class."