Case Study: Advancing CTE in Poway Unified with PilotCity

Background

In 2023, Poway Unified School District partnered with PilotCity to integrate innovative work-based learning (WBL) experiences into its Career Technical Education (CTE) classrooms. The initiative aimed to address a growing demand for meaningful WBL opportunities that go beyond traditional guest speakers and tours, aligning closely with California’s CTE standards and College and Career Indicator (CCI) metrics.

The partnership focused on providing students with hands-on, real-world experiences designed to bridge classroom learning with industry application. Building on the success of similar models in Fremont Unified and Elk Grove Unified, Poway Unified’s Year 1 implementation laid the foundation for a sustainable, scalable approach to WBL.

Year 1 Implementation: Building the Foundation

Engagement Overview

• Teacher Participation: 11 committed CTE educators across middle and high schools implemented PilotCity programs, representing a diverse range of pathways.
• Student Participation: Over 445 unique students participated in projects that fostered creativity, problem-solving, and career readiness skills.
• Grade Levels Served:
  • Middle School (7th and 8th grades): 22% of participants
  • High School (9th to 12th grades): 78% of participants
• Schools Represented:
  • Del Norte High School
  • Mt. Carmel High School
  • Rancho Bernardo High School
  • Poway High School
  • Westview High School
  • Twin Peaks Middle School
  • Oak Valley Middle School
  • Poway to Palomar Middle College

Program Highlights

Students engaged in diverse PilotCity programs aligned with CTE standards and career exploration goals:

• Brainstorm Project Ideas (1+ hours): 62% used this as an entry point to spark creativity.
• Build Projects for Your Portfolio (6+ hours): 19% created tangible artifacts showcasing their skills and knowledge.
• Build Projects to Win Internships (17+ hours): 21% participated in extended, outcome-driven programs simulating real industry challenges.
• Other Programs (e.g., Social Impact Project): Smaller groups tackled specialized projects, applying their learning to community-focused initiatives.

Student Innovation in Action

Poway Unified students demonstrated their creativity and technical acumen through projects addressing real-world challenges:

• 1-Word Summary: Creativity.
• 1-Sentence Summary: Students tackled projects like VR aquariums, eco-friendly designs, sensory-friendly theme park rides, and anti-bullying campaigns to solve industry and community problems.
• 1-Paragraph Summary:
  Students across Poway Unified engaged in hands-on projects that combined innovation with industry relevance. For example, some designed VR aquariums to enhance marine biology education, while others conceptualized sensory-friendly rides to promote inclusivity in theme parks. Projects like eco-friendly product prototypes, gamified health quizzes, and anti-bullying initiatives showcased the students’ ability to align creativity with practical problem-solving. These experiences underscored the importance of user-centered design and workforce readiness—key pillars of California’s CTE mission.

Why Poway Unified Stands Out

Poway Unified’s commitment to delivering meaningful WBL experiences makes it a standout district in California’s CTE landscape. Similar to successful implementations in Fremont Unified and Elk Grove Unified, Poway Unified demonstrated a scalable model for bridging education and industry.

• Student Engagement: The enthusiasm of Poway Unified students highlights their readiness for career-connected learning opportunities.
• Teacher Dedication: CTE educators played a critical role in aligning these programs with curriculum goals while supporting student innovation.
• Scalable Model: Year 1’s success provides a strong foundation for deeper employer engagement and expanded teacher participation in Year 2.

Goals for Year 2

As PilotCity and Poway Unified move forward, the focus will shift toward strengthening teacher participation, deepening employer partnerships, and refining program delivery.

Key Objectives for Year 2:

• Increase Teacher Participation: Expand from 11 to 20 CTE educators actively implementing programs.
• Enhance Employer Engagement: Use the Traction-Driven Employer Recruitment (TDER) strategy to connect classrooms with local employers, enabling students to create value-driven projects that attract industry participation.
• Streamline Implementation: Introduce tools such as personalized sponsor links, enhanced teacher onboarding resources, and pre-scoped projects aligned with local and regional industry needs.

By building on Year 1’s momentum, Poway Unified is poised to further its alignment with California’s CTE mission, preparing students for meaningful careers in high-demand industries.

Acknowledgment of Educators

The success of Year 1 would not have been possible without the dedication of Poway Unified’s CTE educators. Their efforts to integrate innovative WBL programs into their classrooms have set a strong example for districts statewide. Special thanks to Sarina Ko, Paul O’Beirne, Courtney Craig, Patrick Fawcett, Amy Hillebrecht, Shannon O’Kane, Carrie McCluskey, Robert Casas, Samantha Parrish, Michael Buxton, and Jamal Felton for their exceptional leadership and collaboration.

Conclusion: A Case Study for CTE Success

Poway Unified’s partnership with PilotCity demonstrates how intentional, well-aligned work-based learning can transform student experiences in CTE. Year 1 laid a strong foundation, proving that students, teachers, and employers can work together to create innovative, career-focused learning opportunities.

By continuing to refine and expand its approach, Poway Unified serves as a model for other districts looking to bridge the gap between education and industry. Together, we’re creating the future of career-connected learning—one classroom at a time.

For more information on how PilotCity can support your district’s CTE goals, contact us at success@pilotcity.com