Phlebotomy chairs, hospital beds, medical devices, treadmills, and new Apple desktop computers now fill classrooms at Meadowdale High School-Career Technical Center.

Many once traditionally-arranged classrooms have been transformed into Career Tech labs where students will get hands-on experience in their chosen career pathways. 

The Dayton Public School District first announced that Meadowdale would become the second DPS Career Technical Center in February 2020. Since then, work has been underway to prepare the building for this transition. By early October, many students began attending in-person labs several days a week as the district began its transition to hybrid instruction. 

Meadowdale is now home to the district’s Business, Medical Office, Engineering, Biomedical Science, Teacher Academy, Design and Imaging, Exercise Science, Allied Health and Phlebotomy CTE programs.

New Meadowdale principal, Ryan Rismiller, said the students who have returned for in-person labs have been excited to be back in the building and to begin working toward their chosen career field. 

“I am looking forward to watching students get more involved in their pathways as they return for in-person instruction,” said Rismiller. “I am also excited for the new opportunities that Meadowdale students will now have through their Career Technical Student organizations. One of my goals this year is to increase student involvement.”

Many students were already involved in hands-on work in late October. Exercise Science students learned and practiced exercises demonstrated by their instructor; engineering students sketched design plans with classmates; and Allied Health students had an anatomy lesson. Although all career pathways do not have in-person labs at this time, administrators and instructors are eager for students to safely return. As required by district policy, all students and staff members must wear face masks, maintain a six-foot distance from others and abide by many other safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Students who are interested in learning more about Career Technical Education opportunities in the Dayton Public Schools and the potential for college credit and career credentialing while still in high school can visit DaytonPublic.com or email the Director of Career Technical Education, Dr. Michelle Rammel, at mdrammel@daytonpublic.com. 

Thirteen CTE programs are still offered at David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center, including Allied Health, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Biotechnology, Business, Radio/TV, Cybersecurity, Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology, Dental Tech, Graphic Art and a new Law Enforcement program. 

Belmont High School is home to the district’s Firefighting/EMT program, which began in 2019. 

Stivers School for the Arts continues to offer CTE pathways in Digital Cinema, Photography and Theatre Tech.