Program of Studies 2011-2012 - Gorham High School!

VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Gorham High School is associated with two (2) vocational centers. Westbrook is the primary vocational center.
Students may attend Portland only if the program is not offered at Westbrook. Both of these centers offer more
detailed explanations of their courses in their handbooks available in the Guidance Office. These programs are
offered to students during their junior and senior years. Transportation is provided by the Gorham School District.
Students are required to ride the bus each way, unless they have received parent and administrative approval to
use car transport.
WESTBROOK REGIONAL VOCATIONAL CENTER
Automotives
Building Trades
Business Management
Commercial Truck Driving
Computer Repair and Networking
Culinary Arts
Drafting
Early Childhood Occupations
Electricity
Heavy Equipment
Marketing Education
Medical Occupations
Public Safety
Web Page Design
Westbrook A.M. - Juniors
Westbrook P.M. - Seniors
All W.R.V.C. courses are sequential and are two years in length. A student must satisfactorily complete the first
year before continuing into the second year. Interested students should see individual description folders for
more complete information about each course and then visit W.R.V.C. for firsthand observation of course
activities.
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
Automotive Technology is a challenging and exciting program that explores the intricacies of repairing and
diagnosing complex modern automobiles. Our program is certified by the National Automotive Technical
Educational Foundation (NATEF) and Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES). In the first year, students
will spend one day on classroom theory and the next day with shop-based skills. Students will need to keep a
notebook for each quarter and write a work order for each shop day. The first quarter is focused on safety and
how to operate shop equipment. Second and third quarters cover brake systems and steering and suspension
systems. The last quarter covers engine performance, which includes ignition, fuel, and emission systems. In the
second year, students begin to do more hands-on work with includes diagnostic skills. Students will create and
present hands-on projects to classmates about how and why they fixed a particular system. Students will keep a
portfolio to document each day’s work in the shop. We encourage students to prepare for and take national and
state sponsored exam.
950 Automotives I WRVC 2 Credits
951 Automotives II WRVC 3 Credits
BUILDING TRADES:
Participation in this program provides a first-hand experience in the construction of a house. Site planning, rough
framing, roofing, exterior finish, interior finish and cabinetry, to name a few, of the topics covered. Safeties, hand
tools, proper operation of portable and stationary power tools are also addressed. Students will learn about the
latest technology in building materials and processes used in the residential construction industry.
952 Building Trades I WRVC 2 Credits
953 Building Trades II WRVC 3 Credits
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT:
The Business program includes Microsoft Office 2007, Accounting, QuickBooks, Human Resources and Business
Operations Management, and the opportunity to become Microsoft Office Certified. The program is designed to
provide students with entry-level skills in the administrative and bookkeeping area and to introduce students to
post-secondary opportunities in business, management, accounting, and the administrative support area.
Students can choose to enroll in one or two courses as electives to complement their schedule, or they can follow
the traditional Tech I schedule where they enroll in Periods 2 and 3 their first year and Periods 5 and 6 their
second year.
Program of Studies: 2011-2012 Page 25