Lafayette Career and Technical Center at LHS
The Lafayette Career and Technical Center serves students in grades 10-12 in the Lafayette Country School District. The mission of the Lafayette Career and Technical Center is to equip students with the academic, technical, occupational, and social skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce or pursue success in post-secondary education. The school offers courses of study in a variety of fields to prepare students for the ever-changing needs of today’s workforce. Students get the benefit of gaining practical, dynamic, and hands-on experiences, while taking core classes daily at Lafayette High School, and traveling to the LCTC for technology classes.
Automotive Service Technology
Students gain hands-on training in vehicle repair and maintenance through this two-year program. Year one covers safety, tools, basic service, brakes, and electrical systems. Year two advances into engine performance, drive trains, steering and suspension, and climate control. Graduates are prepared for entry-level jobs in the automotive industry or further study.
Construction/Carpentry
This program introduces students to the building trades with training in carpentry, electrical work, masonry, and plumbing. Coursework begins with safety, tools, and blueprints before progressing into advanced carpentry and specialized skills. Students leave prepared for skilled trade employment or continued technical education.
Health Science
Designed for students exploring healthcare careers, this two-year program blends classroom learning with lab and clinical experience. Year one introduces health careers, sciences, and core skills. Year two provides advanced training and clinical rotations in healthcare facilities. Students earn high school credit and gain over 100 hours of real-world experience.
Welding
The Welding program equips students with the skills needed for careers in the metal trades. Welding I introduces essential processes, while Welding II allows students to specialize in advanced welding or machine shop techniques. Students graduate ready for entry-level jobs or post-secondary training.
Firefighter
Open to juniors and seniors, this program trains students in firefighting basics, safety, and rescue procedures. At age 19, students may test through the Mississippi State Fire Academy to earn firefighter certification and begin their careers.
HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration)
This two-year program teaches the fundamentals of heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Students learn safety, electrical basics, piping, soldering, system installation, and repair. Advanced training includes air distribution, diagnostics, and electronics — preparing graduates for in-demand technical careers.
Utility Lineman
Seniors can take part in this one-year program that introduces the skills needed in the power industry. Students learn tool handling, ground preparation, and the basics of line construction, creating a foundation for future lineman careers.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning gives students real-world experience by applying classroom knowledge in professional workplaces. This program strengthens academic and technical skills, develops leadership and communication, and helps students explore career options while contributing to the local economy.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) at OHS
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Oxford High School give students hands-on, practical experience in courses tied to specific career fields. Pathway courses are offered as two-year programs focusing on a chosen career cluster and provide in-depth training. Students gain real-world experience through work-based learning and, in some cases, earn industry-recognized certifications. Completing all four semesters prepares students for future careers or continued education. Enhancement courses are one-year programs that introduce students to career pathways and help them build a foundation before entering a two-year program. They’re offered at both Oxford High School and Oxford Middle School. Work-Based Learning can also be taken alongside any pathway program for added experience.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Courses: Horticulture Year 1 (1 and 2), Horticulture Year 2 (3 and 4)
Horticulture introduces students to basic plant and soil science (plant structure and growth. This course focuses on horticulture structures, plant propagation, principles of pest management, and greenhouse crops. Year Two focuses on leadership, careers, and safety in the horticulture field, and plant identification. Special emphasis includes horticulture marketing and business procedures.
Architecture and Construction
Courses: Construction Core Year 1 (1 and 2), Electrical Wiring Year 2 (3 and 4)
Carpentry courses emphasize residential construction skills. Students initially learn basic safety, construction math, hand and power tools, blueprint reading, carpentry, electricity, masonry, and plumbing. Electrical courses consist of an in-depth study of electrical theory, wiring, devices, and boxes, hand bending, conductors and cables, and electrical drawings.
Courses: HVAC Year 1 (1 and 2), HVAC Year 2 (3 and 4)
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) topics include: employability skills, safety, construction math, construction drawings, material handling, copper and piping, soldering and brazing, and basic electricity. Year two topics include carbon steel popping, cooling, heating, air distribution, leak detection, and basic electronics.
Arts, Audio-Video Technology, and Communications
Courses: Digital Media Year 1 (1 and 2), Digital Media Year 2 (3 and 4)
Digital Media Technology encompassesthe foundational skills necessary in the digital media industry. Content such as safety, ethical issues, and production, photography, graphic design, and print production will be offered to students. Special emphasis includes Audio Production and Media Rich Content. Students receive hands-on production practice through filming and broadcasting Oxford High School athletics.
Business, Marketing, and Finance (BMF)
Courses: BMF Year 1 (1 and 2), BMF Year 2 (3 and 4)
Students study necessary aspects of effective business models, including customer service, communication, and business finance. Business law and economics are also a part of the course.
C SPIRE Software Development (Dual Credit Course)
The C Spire Software Development Pathway prepares students for an exciting career as a junior software developer with starting salaries in Mississippi upwards of $50,000! This pathway consists of two years of high school courses followed by 1 year at a local community college, culminating in multiple industry certifications and an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science. With the appropriate guidance, students could graduate from high school with up to 27 credit hours at their local community college. This would put them on track to graduate after only 1 year of community college and ready to enter the workforce as a junior software developer.
Web and Programming Concepts:
This course is an introduction to website development and programming logic. Students will gain hands-on experience in the development of computer programs. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to create a website from the ground up.
Client-Side Programming:
This course offers a comprehensive understanding of programming using JavaScript.
SQL Programming:
This course offers students an extensive introduction to data server technology covering concepts of relational databases and the structured query language (SQL). Students are taught to retrieve data and produce readable output.
Programming in Python:
This course is designed to provide an introduction to programming concepts and data informatics using Python through lectures and a series of practice hands-on exercises.
Education and Training
Courses: Educator Preparation Year 1 (1 and 2)
Entry-level course building the foundation for a career in education. Students gain foundation competencies related to students as learners, planning and assessing teaching, teaching strategies, and communication skills.
Health Science
Courses: Health Science Core Year 1 (1 and 2), Sports Medicine Year 2 (3 and 4)
Health Science Core provides the students with a solid foundation to move ahead in any health care field of his or her choice. The topics covered include safety, infection control, legal and ethical practices, career exploration, communication and teamwork, medical terminology, body organization, and basic anatomy and physiology of each major body system, along with various common diseases and disorders associated with each system.
The Sports Medicine course establishes insight into careers in sports medicine, including healthcare administration and the athletic/sports medicine team. Students will gain useful information about injuries that may occur from different types of sports, including injuries to the head, spine, chest, abdomen, as well as upper and lower extremities. It will also examine the skills necessary for emergency medical response.
Hospitality and Tourism
Courses: Culinary Arts Year 1 (1 and 2), Culinary Arts Year 2 (3 and 4)
Culinary Arts is a pathway for students that includes classroom and hands-on experience that will prepare students for employment or continuing education in the food service industry. The initial course focuses on foundational skills necessary in the foodservice industry, including food safety, food sanitation, and food preparation.
Second-year students focus on advanced food preparation and internship opportunities where students learn skills related to management and business concepts, customer communication, and customer service. Any student who successfully completes this program and the mentoring requirements of the National Restaurant Association can take the ServSafe Food Safety exam. This is a national certification program recognized throughout the foodservice industry.
Information Technology
Courses: Information Technology Year 1 (1 and 2), Information Technology Year 2 (3 and 4)
The introductory course covers the explanation of technology and computer hardware basics, compatibility issues, common errors associated with computer hardware, software installation and functions, security risks and prevention, Green IT, and preventative maintenance of computers.
Second-year students learn the basic concepts of networking, network operating systems, networking types, standards, and how data is encoded and transmitted. Year one students should be prepared to take the CompTIA IT Fundamentals Certification. Year two students will prepare for Networking Fundamentals Certification Exam.
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Courses: Law and Public Safety Year 1 (1 and 2), Law and Public Safety Year 2 (3 and 4)
The introductory course focuses on the history of law and legal systems in the United States as well as local emergency services and personal health and safety in the law and public safety work environment.
Second-year students focus on specialized areas and topics within the law, examine all areas of the military and the professions associated with each, participate in relevant job-shadowing opportunities, and learn about emergency management operations.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Courses: Engineering Year 1 (1 and 2), Engineering Year 2 (3 and 4)
The engineering pathway starts out with an introduction to engineering-based careers and the engineering design process. The class is a problem-based design where students progress from completing structured activities to solving open- ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.
Second-year students in the principles of engineering class continue to focus on engineering careers and explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics. The engineering pathway courses apply and develop secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Courses: Software Development Year 1 (JavaScript), Software Development Year 2 (Python Programming)
The software development pathway is a dual-credit program done in partnership with CSpire and Northwest Community College. Skills gained in this pathway will enhance students’ programming skills and knowledge of software development including websites, databases, and programming.
Work-Based Learning
(Junior- and Senior-Level Students Only)
Work-based learning (WBL) gives students opportunities to connect what they learn in the classroom with authentic work experiences. Furthermore, WBL experiences provide training grounds for students to practice and improve nontechnical skills, including dependability and working with others. The WBL program supports students in developing the soft skills needed for future success in any career.
