Madison Reporter

The Wall Street Journal recently featured Middleton High School's Career & Technical Education (CTE) program as part of an article on the expansion and enhancement of vocational education in schools. The piece examined how educational institutions are providing students with more opportunities to prepare for careers after high school, particularly in fields like woodworking, metals, and machinery.

Middleton High School's Engineering & Technology teachers Quincy Millerjohn and Justin Zander discussed the growth of their CTE program. Mr. Zander mentioned that wood shop classes have been added to meet the demand of "175 students who enroll each semester, up 75 from four years ago." Mr. Millerjohn emphasized the importance of these courses for college-bound students, stating: “We want kids going to college to feel these courses fit on their transcripts along with AP and honors.” He also highlighted potential earnings in trades such as ironworking, steamfitting, and boilermaking, noting they "can pay anywhere from $41 to $52 an hour."

The Wall Street Journal detailed a significant $90 million campus renovation completed by Middleton High School in 2022, which included new facilities for technical education. These improvements feature visible shop classes with fishbowl-style glass walls showcasing a modern manufacturing lab equipped with advanced tools like computer-controlled machines and robotic arms.

The District's commitment to the CTE program was underscored by its financial support. The Wall Street Journal reported that the District allocates resources for annual supplies—spending “$20,000 a year on wood, steel, aluminum and other materials”—and has invested $600,000 to upgrade equipment for various technical courses.

Andres Mendoza Alcala, a senior at Middleton High School aspiring to be a carpenter, shared his positive experience with the CTE program. He stated: “I haven’t met a single person that looks down on someone else just because they’re doing the trades instead of college. They just say it’s a good choice. These are secure jobs.”

For further details, readers can access The Wall Street Journal article (note: subscription required) or visit the Youth Apprenticeship website for more information about Middleton High School’s CTE offerings.