Seattle Skills Center is still accepting a limited number of students into several classes. Please contact our office at skillscenterinfo@seattleschools.org to find out which classes are still accepting students before submitting your application.
Classes below are not accepting additional applications for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Maritime Vessel Operations (Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle Maritime Academy)
AM & PM Automotive Technology (Washington MS – Skills Center Building and West Seattle HS)
AM & PM Nursing Assisting (Franklin HS)
AM & PM Medical Assisting (Lincoln HS)
AM & PM Construction (may be available during second semester)
The Seattle Skills Center is committed to delivering advanced career and technical education for high school students.
The Seattle Skills Center is a free program in Seattle Public Schools that prepares students for college, careers, and life. We provide advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that give students options to continue career-focused learning in college, earn post-secondary certification, or join the work force after high school.
Seattle Skills Center programs are located within Seattle Public Schools’ high schools and community-based sites throughout the city.
How are Skills Center courses unique?
Most CTE courses in middle and high school are one hour per day, one or two semester offerings, and a majority are exploratory courses. Skills Center Courses provide much more in-depth, preparatory learning experiences. In addition to high school credit, many of our courses offer industry recognized certifications and college credit.
Pathways to college, career, and life!
School Year Skills Center courses are a half day long- three periods out of a six period school day, or around 2.5 hours.
Courses are a full year long Students that complete a year of Skills Center courses earn 3 CTE credits. Many of our courses offer credit equivalency in fields other than CTE including Math, Science, English, and Physical Education. See our course list below for details.
Daily Course Schedule
Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full School Year
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (2.5 hours per day)
Morning: 8:50-11:20 a.m.
Afternoon: 12:45-3:15 p.m.
Wednesdays (1.5 hours per day)
Morning: 8:50-10:05 a.m.
Afternoon 12:45-2 p.m.
High School Credit: Classes work best in 11th and 12th grader’s schedules. The Seattle Skills Center programs are 1.5 credits per semester, full year programs (3.0 credits). Many classes offer the opportunity to earn dual credit for college.
Enrollment Requirements:
Only students in Seattle Public Schools District can enroll in Seattle Skills Center courses.
For school year courses, students must be high school students.
Students should apply only for one course, unless school counselors indicate otherwise
Registration Priority: To help ensure that 12th grade students have access to a Skills Center program before they leave high school, the Seattle Skills Center gives 11th grade students applying for Skills Center classes priority placement until March 1, at which point we will begin placing all other applicants into classes on a first come, first served basis.
Transportation:
Skills Center classes are open to all students, regardless of home high school. Students whose home high school is more than 2 miles away from their Skills Center high school may request transportation while submitting their application.
Last school year 2022-23: Wood Technology Center, SCC
Current school year 2023-24: Wood Technology Center, SCC
Aerospace Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Maritime
Credit Equivalencies with Math or Science available
CTE Dual Credit available and Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Science, Engineering, and Industry – Seattle is home to two of the world’s biggest and most dynamic industries: Aerospace and Maritime manufacturing! Students learn key manufacturing skills used in shipyards and aerospace employers in the Pacific Northwest. Our students learn safety, tool identification and proper use, fastener installation, machining, welding, fabrication, and much more! We help students gain industry experience with the chance to earn college credit and prepare them for an upcoming and fulfilling career in industry.
Last school year 2022-23: Washington Middle School or West Seattle High School
Current school year 2023-24: Washington Middle School or West Seattle High School
Automotive Technology
Credit Equivalency with Science available
Dual Credit and Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Science, Engineering, and Industry – Are you interested in a hands-on class that requires critical thinking and passion for the auto industry? Gain a solid foundation and employable skills in automotive technology through our automotive classes! Students learn about brake systems, maintenance, and other systems that function within a vehicle.
Last school year 2022-23: Ingraham High School or Wood Technology Center, SCC
Current school year 2023-24: Ingraham High School or Wood Technology Center, SCC
Construction Trades
Credit Equivalency in Math or Science available
Industry Certification available
Career Pathway: Science, Engineering, and Industry – This hands-on course covers both residential and commercial construction with an emphasis on job site safety. We focus on employability skills, problem-solving, trainability, team building, while working together to build tiny homes for unhoused people. Students gain experience with the tools and exposure to specialties including: Cement and Masonry, Wood Frame Carpentry, Roofing, Siding, Drywall and Painting, Finish Carpentry, Cabinet Installation, Flooring and Countertops.
Last school year 2022-23: Washington Middle School
Current school year 2023-24: Washington Middle School
Firefighting and Emergency Medical Services
Credit Equivalency with Lab Science and PE (not Personal Fitness)
Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Science, Engineering, and Industry – This course prepares students for careers as fire fighters and other emergency services careers. Student cadets leave class able to manage themselves and others during high-stakes emergency events, taking on a sense of responsibility and ownership for positive outcomes. Learn more about our curriculum.
Cross Credits in Science and Applied Math available
CTE Dual Credit and Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Health & Human Services – Enter Medical Assisting, a fast-growing medical profession that combines people skills, organization, and compassion in a medical setting! Students practice the language and skills of doctors and other health professionals, using core knowledge that leads to healthcare, medical assisting, and medical office assisting occupations. The program uses National HOSA student leadership projects, modules, computer programs, industry standards, college curriculum, and problem-based activities in school and industry settings.
Last school year 2022-23: Seattle Maritime Academy and Center for Wooden Boats
This school year 2023-24: Seattle Maritime Academy and Center for Wooden Boats
Maritime Vessel Operations
Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Science, Engineering, and Industry – Learn how to work on ships in Puget Sound! This course blends modern and traditional seamanship and deckhand skills with training in engine maintenance and repair. Students learn what it takes to work on fishing vessels, ferryboats, cargo ships and more. They develop fundamental skills in navigation, tides, currents, boat handling, knots, safety, communications, radar, meteorology, tool use, and marine engine maintenance and repair. Course work is taught on the water and in the classroom. Students prepare for summer jobs and further training after high school that could result in Coast Guard certification.
In this course, students will gain a wide variety of digital media production skills and begin developing their own Media Arts portfolio. Students will learn the principles of graphic design, website design, animation, audio production, and video production with an emphasis on real-world projects.
CTE Dual Credit and Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Health & Human Services – Nursing Assistant training is a fast track to post-secondary Health Sciences, and related Nursing Careers! Nursing is considered one of the entry points into the medical profession. In our Skills Center course, Students complete the 11 national health foundation standards, test basic knowledge and skills in their classroom and clinical site, then test for state licensure.
*To prepare for the Nursing Assistant Certification test and complete the coursework for this program, hands-on learning (“clinicals”) at an assisted living care will take place in second semester. Students are required to provide proof of several common vaccinations before entry into assisted living facilities, and these vaccinations will likely continue to include COVID vaccine and boosters.
CTE Dual Credit and Industry Certification available
Career Pathway:Health & Human Services – This comprehensive course allows students to explore the world and work of teaching and the field of education. Through hands-on learning, students gain experience working in various educational settings and prepare for success in post-secondary teaching programs. Following successful completion of this course students may take the instructional assistant test which can lead to career opportunities in Seattle Public Schools including childcare, instructional assistant, teacher, principal, and school counselor.
Career Pathway:Technology – Create animation and games! Students learn sketching and story-boarding in 2D animation and concepts of 3D. They learn skills necessary for a career in the animation and gaming industry. This course is a great preparation for college and career and provides a fantastic opportunity for students to express themselves creatively while learning industry standard technical skills.
Application 2023-24 School Year
2023-2024 School Year Applications are now open! Apply by clicking the button below. Have any questions? Contact us at skillscenterinfo@seattleschools.org.
