Southwest Metro Intermediate District
Chaska and Chanhassen High Schools, through the SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288, will offer courses in downtown Chaska. Courses at SW Metro give 11th and 12th grade students immediate employment skills and solid career training. Furthermore, SW Metro courses allow students to apply skills learned in other high school courses. Students must register for classes at SW Metro during the spring registration and cannot add these classes during the school year.
Schedule: Classes at SW Metro are one period long. Students earn 1.0 credits per semester for CSEC classes.
Transportation: Eastern Carver County Schools provides transportation for students attending classes at SW Metro. Students are expected to take school provided transportation. Under special circumstances students may request a Parent/Guardian Waiver of School-Provided Transportation. Waiver applications, driving regulations and procedures may be obtained in the House Offices. A waiver will be granted only to the driver. Under no circumstances may students transport other students between Chaska and Chanhassen High Schools and SW Metro.
Post-Secondary Accreditation: Students may be eligible to receive post-secondary credits for Career and Technical coursework they complete at SW Metro. The following criteria apply:
Students must have enrolled in one of the SW Metro Career and Technical courses: Computer Repair and Computer Networking, Auto Mechanics, Construction Trades, and Cosmetology. Students may receive post-secondary credit at some Community and Technical Colleges as well as some private institutions.
Course Offerings
- Animal & Agricultural Science
- Automotive Technology
- Computer Technology
- Construction
- Health
- Education
- Photography
Animal & Agricultural Science
agribusiness
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 Semester (offered both semesters)
This course introduces basic farm business management concepts. Students will study the farm management planning cycle and develop an understanding of its relationship to: family and farm business goal setting, cash and enterprise accounting principles, and tax planning. Completion of course at 85% or better may earn students post-secondary credits. Assessments may be in the form of projects, case studies, and testing.
PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 Semester (Spring semester only)
This course is intended to teach you how to increase plant numbers, through asexual and sexual propagation (asexual propagation results in lots of plants which all look the same) and the basic biology behind why this is possible. Throughout the term, we will concentrate on biological concepts and apply these concepts to propagating plants. By the end of the course, you should be able to answer the question "How do I propagate and what effects do soil and nutrients have on propagation?”
The objectives of this course are to provide experience in application of techniques used to propagate horticultural plants and understand the conceptual basis for these practices. This is a hands-on laboratory course.
Automotive Technology
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY 1-2
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1-2 Semesters
The automotive technology program teaches students the necessary skills and knowledge to work on today's vehicles. This course is designed to prepare students for an automotive future either as an automotive technician or as an automotive consumer. Students will spend up to 60 percent of their time working with industry standard equipment in the lab. Our curriculum meets NATEF standards and also helps reinforce core subjects through hands-on projects. This two-year program is divided into four independent semesters to allow students to take individual semesters if they are unable to attend the entire program. A driver’s license is not required. Students can enroll any semester.
Computer Technology
COMPUTER REPAIR 1, 2
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1-2 Semesters
Computer Repair and Certification gives you the knowledge and ability to work with computers and operating systems in order to…
- Go to college (2 or 4 year) in some aspect of computers (hardware, networking or programming)
- Not have to ask for help while using a computer, ever.
- Build or upgrade your own computer and software (for example, a gaming system).
- Get jobs working on computers while in college.
- Become an industry recognized and “certified” computer technician.
The content of this course is industry recognized and tracks towards learning the material required to pass either the TestOut PC Pro or the CompTIA A+ exam. This course is the same first course of many colleges in the study of computer systems and networking.
Students are encouraged to start in fall semester, however they can also start spring semester and complete the course the following fall. Taking or passing either exam is not a course requirement and does not count negatively toward your grade. You will be offered a chance to take the PC Pro exam during class.
This class is a prerequisite for the computer networking class. This course requires a desire to understand computers, to work inside computers and to repair them. This is not a computer gaming class.
COMPUTER NETWORKING 1, 2
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Computer Repair
Length: 1-2 Semesters
Computer Networking gives you a very detailed understanding of how the internet and computer networks work. It covers computer to computer communication and the various communication pathways and techniques in detail and how to control them. For example, computers communicate mostly using a “contention” method of signaling. This is similar to the classroom where students “contend” to speak in the class by raising their hand.
Students who take this class generally want to…
- Go to college (2 or 4 year) in some aspect of computers and computer networks – hardware, networking or programming.
- Understand more about computer technology than was taught in the Computer Repair course.
- Understand a “language” of inter (personal, computer) communication and are interested in how communication takes place in general.
- Apply themselves to an interesting, technical subject that is in use all over the world
- Obtain a Network Pro or Network Plus certification.
A mastery level understanding of computers and an introductory understanding of computer networks is required for successful completion of this course – these can be obtained in the Computer Repair course -which is a prerequisite.
The course is self paced with help and students are encouraged to start in fall semester but can start in the spring. Taking or passing the Network Pro or Network Plus exam is not a course requirement and does not count negatively toward your grade. You will be offered a chance to take the Network Pro exam at the end of class.
Construction
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 1, 2
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1-2 Semesters
This class is designed to develop and upgrade the skills and competencies required in the construction trades. The course covers the most current tools and equipment, materials, and trade practices within the construction industry. Student will develop basic home building skills while working on a single family home throughout the two semesters, located on the SW Metro campus.
Health
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Medical training required of firefighters and law enforcement, students will learn about emergency services, advance first aid, and health care provider CPR. This course includes a focus on learning anatomy and physiology and provides many field experiences to do hands on skills.
Emergency Medical Technician
Intermediate (SW Metro Offering)
EMTs are clinicians, trained to respond quickly to emergency situations regarding medical issues, traumatic injuries and accident scenes. EMTs are often employed by ambulance services, governments, and hospitals, but are also sometimes employed by fire departments, in police departments, and there are many firefighter/EMTs and police officer/EMTs.
The criteria for earning industry certifications come from the issuing institutions and are generally higher than that of a typical high school class. In order to earn these certifications, students may need to put in time outside of class for clinicals, studying, or practicing skills as well as to taking state tests. While all students may not earn the certifications, all will leave the class with an understanding of medical careers and emergency services.
Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR)
Advanced (SW Metro offering)
Approved through the Minnesota Department of Health, Nursing Assistant will train students to work directly with residents of a long term care facility. Clinical rotations are conducted at Auburn Homes and Services in Chaska or Waconia. Students will learn the curriculum and skills required to take the state Nursing Assistant Registry Exams. Students also earn certifications in basic first aid and CPR through the American Heart Association.
Medical terminology
Introductory (SW Metro offering)
This course is designed for students to develop a basic knowledge of how complex medical terms are formed from Latin and Greek word parts utilizing root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Medical terms are presented by the body system. Emphasis is placed on spelling and pronunciation of medical terms. This course is the foundation for any medical career and is a required, intro-level class of most college medical programs.
Cosmetology 1,2
Our mission is to provide students with the opportunity to discover the Cosmetology industry through learning, leadership, marketing, and artistic skills. We offer students the opportunity to explore and practice the art and science of beauty care. The course consists of all aspects of this industry including, Minnesota State Laws and Rules, professional development, design decision in hairstyling, men's and women's haircutting, chemical texturizing, hair coloring, salon environment, nail care, skin care, waxing, retailing and salon business.
This program is offered in a licensed Cosmetology School setting, thus giving the student both the training and hands on aspects of the profession. Electing this program will allow students to explore diversified career possibilities as well as earn hours that are transferable to post-secondary Cosmetology schools.
Education
Child Development Associate (CDA)
SW Metro Offering
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential was created in response to the need for early childhood professionals to master the knowledge and skills needed to create effective learning environments for children. The CDA is an accepted credential for work as a teacher, assistant teacher or aide in child care centers and preschools. This course is designed to provide the information needed to effectively care for and educate young children. The course is appropriate for students who intend to pursue advanced study in early childhood education or a related discipline, and for those who will seek employment or career advancement upon completion of the program. The 120 hours of education moves students forward in the process of earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credential through the Council for Professional Recognition.
Curriculum covers six (6) competency standards and thirteen (13) functional areas.
MultiCultural education and human relations in schools
SW Metro Offering
Multicultural Education and Human Relations in Schools introduces pre-service teachers to core concepts and approaches to multicultural education including issues related to students, family and community diversity based on culture, language, race, class, gender, sexual identity and disability. Topics addressed include: issues about the hierarchy of education with regard to privilege, equity and access to high quality education. Students will learn culturally and linguistically responsive classroom strategies. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating the multicultural competence required of all successful teachers who work with today’s diverse youth. Class will include speakers, field trips, videos, simulations to ensure content is mastered.
Photography
photography & videography multimedia program (1-4)
SW Metro Offering
The Photography & Videography Multimedia Program at SouthWest Metro is designed for students looking to excel in creative fields surrounding still and motion imagery. Students in this program learn from practicing industry professionals, while developing their skills and creating a portfolio and resume that will include job shadows, internships and client work. Students will become proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition.
SouthWest Metro will provide every student with an Adobe Creative Cloud License and the ability to check out industry-standard photography, videography, lighting and sound equipment.
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Year 1 / Semester 1
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Year 1 / Semester 2
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Year 2 / Semester 1 Adobe After Effects proficiency
Year 2 / Semester 2
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