The Columbus City School District does not discriminate based upon sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ancestry, familial status or military status with regard to admission, access, treatment or employment. This policy is applicable in all district programs and activities.

School Information

Columbus Downtown High School prepares eleventh and twelfth grade students for careers in Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Personal Ser-vices and Public Safety. CDHS is located in Down-town Columbus near partnering corporations who provide students with mentors, internships, and job placement to give them real life experiences.

The classrooms and laboratories at CDHS feature state-of–the-art technical equipment. Students who attend CDHS gain the skills necessary for entry level employment and the knowledge to pursue a post-secondary degree.

Career Clusters

Students at Columbus Downtown High School select an Area of Specialization within a Career Cluster. During their first year, students take foun-dation courses in that cluster area followed by spe-cialized courses their second year. Students also take their academic courses at CDHS which feature an unique educational approach tailored to each
Area of Specialization.

ALUMNI STUDENT QUOTES:

Per Kindell Tyson, “If it wasn’t for this school, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Kindell is em-ployed at the Ohio Department of Development and is a former student of the Entrepreneurship Program.

Per Dan Varga, chef and co-owner of Explorer Club restaurant, asserts, “CDHS was a good launching point for my career.” Dan is a former student in the Culinary Program.

Per Jeffrey Alles , a former student in the Infor-mation Technology program, acknowledges that [the program] “Both technically and practically, CDHS prepared me to work in my dream field.” Jeffrey is employed at Spacevidcast as a con-tractor.

Per Waymon Harrell, a former student in the JROTC Program, states, “CDHS put me a step ahead of others in my field.” Waymon enlisted in the Navy and is a Navy parachute rigger.

Business

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The program is project-based and utilizes real world scenarios.

Students use hands-on strategies to solve complex problems of operating a business.

Students learn about leadership, economics, market-ing, business strategies, and wealth management.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

LOGISTICS

Students studying this field will learn to manage the effective and efficient delivery of goods and services.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester Hours

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 9 Semester Hours

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Introduces students to personal and commercial finance, investments, economics, and accounting.

Prepares students for employment in the accounting, economics, finance, and banking career fields.

Uses technology to solve real world financial problems.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 9 Semester Hours

Possible Occupations: Management Consultants, Sales Director, Sales Executive, Research and Development Manager, Product Manager, Risk Management Manager.

Information INTERACTIVE MULTI-MEDIA

Students master skills to become proficient in creat-ing, designing and producing interactive multimedia products and services.

Students focus on the development of digitally-generated or computer-enhanced media.

Students develop products and programs for busi-ness, training, entertainment (including animation), communications and marketing.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) in Photoshop

Dreamweaver & Flash

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

Technology NETWORKING SYSTEMS
This program prepares students for a promising career in analysis, planning, and implementation of computer network systems.

Students learn the necessary skills to analyze net-work systems needs for the design, installation, main-tenance and management of network systems.

Students develop the skills which will enable them to earn industry network certifications.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) Network+

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Comp TIA A+

1 technology credit	2 elective credits	HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR): COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:	1 technology credit	2 elective credits
Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester

Hours

IT SUPPORT AND SERVICES

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 6 Semester Hours

This program prepares students for careers in the exciting field of Information Technology. Students focus in the areas of operations, support, and de-ployment/integration.

Students gain skills to implement computers sys-tems including selection, assembly, upgrading, and troubleshooting.

Students provide technical assistance for computer hardware, operating systems, and other related soft-ware.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Comp TIA A+

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester Hours

Information Technology

PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Students learn computer programming and the tools of the profession.

Students learn the basic skills and behaviors of the business world.

Students use project management techniques and create professional grade software products.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Sun Certified Java Association

Public Safety

Law Enforcement

Students learn the skills required to enter careers in law enforcement including criminal law, arrest, search and seizure, unarmed self-defense, traffic control, report writing and radio communication.

Students must complete the Law and Public Safety Core year-one.

Students must be 18 years of age during year-two training.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits	COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 16 Semester COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:	Hours

Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester Hours

Possible Occupations: Police Officer, Corrections Officer

Possible Occupations: Software Architects, Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, IT Analysts

Personal Services COSMETOLOGY

This two-year program prepares students to become licensed stylists in the state of Ohio.

Students study infection control, anatomy, and theory of cosmetology.

Students develop technical skills in hair cutting, color, permanent waves, relaxers, and hair designing.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Ohio State Board of Cosmetology

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Akron University : Up to 30 Semester Hours

CULINARY ARTS

Students develop skills and knowledge pertaining to the food service industry.

Students learn and demonstrate sanitation and safety skills, operation of industry equipment, and food preparation techniques.

Students plan, prepare and serve meals for staff, the community, and catered events.

CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

ProStart Certificate of Achievement

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 6 Semester Hours

Possible Careers: Chef, Caterer, Cosmetologist

Education

COLUMBUS TEACHING ACADEMY

Columbus Teaching Academy is a one-year program for high school seniors considering a career in educa-tion.

Classes are held on the main campus of The Ohio State University. Students will be given an OSU e-mail account, Buck ID, and access to the OSU library.

Students participate in three internships (Elementary, Middle and High School Special Needs)

POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS:

This program prepares students for a future career as an educator.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Ohio State University: Up to 2 Semester Hours

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

This two-year program is designed to train students who have a desire to work with young children.

Students learn to manage, guide and direct develop-mentally appropriate learning activities.

Through role playing, making observations and intern-ship participation, students learn about principles of child development and effective classroom manage-ment.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester Hours

Possible Careers: College Professors, Elementary School Teachers, High School Teachers

Engineering

ENGINEERING

Students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Students create solutions to various residential archi-tecture and commercial (civil) issues.

Students use powerful parametric design software to create 3-D models for manufacturing, civil and architec-tural engineering projects.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Students design and fabricate projects utilizing a state-of-the-art manufacturing lab.

Students gain working knowledge of CNC (Computer Numeric Control) programming, manual machining and welding.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT (PER YEAR):

1 technology credit	2 elective credits	1 technology credit	2 elective credits

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 4 Semester Hours

COLLEGE PARTNERS/CREDITS EARNED:

Columbus State Community College: Up to 3 Semester Hours

Possible Occupations: Project Engineer, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Environmental Engineer

Student

FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America)

Organizations

Business Professionals of America (BPA)

A co-curricular career-technical student organization which serves as an integral component of agricul-tural education programs. This program helps stu-dents sharpen their leadership, citizenship, and co-operation skills through participation in various local, state, and national activities.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

A co-curricular career-technical student organization which serves as an integral component of family and consumer science education, hospitality, tourism, and early childhood education programs. The organi-zation helps youth assume active roles in society through personal growth, family life, career prepara-tion and community involvement through participa-tion in various local, state, and national activities.

Toastmasters

A non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.

Exploring Program of Central Ohio

Exploring is Learning for Life’s career education pro-gram for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 to 21 years old. Exploring’s purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities.

Adults are selected by the participating organization for involvement in the program. Color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, eco-nomic status, and citizenship are not criteria for par-ticipation.

A co-curricular career-technical student organiza-tion which serves as an integral part of the busi-ness education program and is designed to de-velop and enhance leadership, citizenship, aca-demic, and technological skills and competency in business and office occupations.

SKILLS USA-VICA

A co-curricular career-technical student organiza-tion which serves as an integral component of in-dustrial and engineering systems and health sci-ences career programs. Emphasis on leadership, dignity of work, good workmanship, citizenship, teamwork, and respect and concern for others is integrated into the classroom activities.

Future Educators of America (FEA)

FEA is an organization for middle and high school students that provides opportunities to explore teaching as a career option. FEA helps students gain a realistic understanding of the nature of edu-cation and the role of the teacher and offers schools and communities a chance to shape their own future by shaping the future of the education profession. FEA provides the following for stu-dents:

Helps develop leadership qualities

Offers service learning opportunities

Sponsors competitive events and state and national conventions

Can be a catalyst for financial aid

Lab fees are associated with all career center programs and cover associated costs for specific tools unique to the area of specialization, uniforms , student organization membership etc. Please contact the program instructor for details.

Business Partners

American Red Cross

Battelle

Central Ohio Public Safety Support

Central Ohio Technical College

Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC)

Chase Bank

Children First

City of Columbus

Columbus City Firefighter’s Association

Columbus Division of Police

Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus Parks and Recreation

Columbus State Community College

Donato’s

Due Amici Restaurant

Education First Credit Union

Explorer Program

Explorer’s Club Restaurant

Fifth Third Bank

Franklin County Auditor’s Office

Franklin County Courts

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Franklin County Treasurer’s Office

Franklin University

Grange Insurance

Grant Hospital

HAWA Consulting Engineers

Heavenly Kids Center for Learning

Henkels & McCoy Training

Huntington National Bank

Moody & Nolan Architects

National Restaurant Association

Nationwide Insurance

Ohio Clerk of Courts

Ohio Department of Development

Ohio Restaurant Association

Ohio State University

Online Computer Library Center (OCLA)

Ronald McDonald House

S & K Children’s Academy

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP

St. John’s Community Kitchen

Stantec Consulting Service

State Auto

Student to Officer Program (S.T.O.P.)

Synergy

Toastmasters

United Way

White Castle

	
Visit: http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us

Click on the “Parents and Students” box Scroll down under “Announcements” Click on “Career Center Application”

*If you applied for a career center last year, you must see your CCRC to complete a new application.

		
	
Your User Name is: ccsstudent

Your Password is: ccs101

On the next screen, click on “STUDENT ACCESS”

			
	
Enter your Pupil Number and your Birthdate
(mm-dd-yyyy)

*If you can’t log-in, please see your CCRC.

CLICK “SUBMIT” On the next screen, CLICK “CREATE”

			

You may apply for up to 3 career center programs.

Choose your desired Program Choice(s) and your Spe-cialization Area(s).

After making your choices, click “Submit” (Do not worry if it seems as if your choices have “disappeared”. You will get a message if you submitted your application correctly!)

After you click “Submit”, click the Print Icon

You must take your printed application home to be signed by your parents/guardians. Return your signed application to your CCRC. Your application will NOT be accepted until your signed application is returned.