Carolina Alliance for Technology


Laurens 55 School District Laurens District High School	Laurens 56 School District Clinton High School	Richland Two School District Westwood High School Ridge View High School

Laurens 55 School District

Laurens District High School

Laurens 56 School District

Clinton High School

Richland Two School District

Westwood High School

Ridge View High School

CAT Program - Graduate from High School with a Diploma and College Credit & Career Experience!

The Carolina Alliance for Technology (CAT) program has one clear long-term outcome: to increase students’ employability in computer science and engineering high demand industries. Major program components facilitated within a smaller learning community include a redesigned high school schedule with 8.5 hours of individual learning time per week; rigorous academic personalized courses of study (including competency credit) offered using an authentic, project-based instructional approach in a high school major with college credit articulation agreements; annual community service learning projects; on-the-job experiences (including internships and Registered Apprenticeships); participation in a youth-led advisory group, heightened opportunities for career exploration, interest inventories, career skills training, mentoring, and research; engaging summer experiences; and college awareness-preparation. Students will sit for the National Career Readiness Certificate Plus and other engineering and computer science related credentials. CAT teachers will integrate academic and career-focused content through common planning time and annual Summer Institutes. Educators will also participate in industry-led professional development targeted to increase their understanding of necessary work-readiness skills. The program also includes necessary wrap-around services to ensure that all participants overcome barriers leading to success in their career pathway. Weekly counseling will ensure support and on-track monitoring.

Rising 9th grade students (school year 13-14 8th graders) are invited to enroll in CAT now! Contact your middle school guidance counselor, and be sure to ask about CAT during your Individual Graduation Plan conference.


Computer Science Program Highlights Get exposed to computing on a range of computing platforms, from mobile devices to high performance computing. Experience a virtual reality world. Learn theoretical computer science concepts while playing games. Work in teams to complete a group project. Learn about the many career opportunities in computing and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries. Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in computing.	Mechanical Applications Program Highlights Learn enhance teamwork skills by designing and building projects using real engineering applications. Explore different engineering disciplines through interactive presentations, activities, and virtual field trips. Learn about the many career opportunities in this field and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries. Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in robotics.	Mechanical Engineering Program Highlights Learn problem solving and creativity in the world of manufacturing designing real word projects. Build global teams in and out of the classrooms to produce high quality products in the shortest amount of time. Learn principals of industrial operations engineering to design the best possible process. Learn about the many career opportunities in the mechanical engineering field and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries. Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in computing.

Computer Science

Program Highlights

Get exposed to computing on a range of computing platforms, from mobile devices to high performance computing.
Experience a virtual reality world.
Learn theoretical computer science concepts while playing games.
Work in teams to complete a group project.
Learn about the many career opportunities in computing and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries.
Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in computing.

Mechanical Applications

Program Highlights

Learn enhance teamwork skills by designing and building projects using real engineering applications.
Explore different engineering disciplines through interactive presentations, activities, and virtual field trips.
Learn about the many career opportunities in this field and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries.
Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in robotics.

Mechanical Engineering

Program Highlights

Learn problem solving and creativity in the world of manufacturing designing real word projects.
Build global teams in and out of the classrooms to produce high quality products in the shortest amount of time.
Learn principals of industrial operations engineering to design the best possible process.

Learn about the many career opportunities in the mechanical engineering field and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries.
Interact with alumni and role models to get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in computing.


Engineering Simulations	Project Lead the Way	Student Competitions

Engineering Simulations

Project Lead the Way

Student Competitions

Pathway to Success - Each CAT student will:

Take at last 4 career pathway courses
Engage in work-readiness skills assessments and training
Reach at least the Silver Level on the National Career Readiness Certificate (WorkKeys) Plus
Engage in career exploration and job shadowing
Complete at least 20 hours of internship or apprentice-ship
Participate on one community service project-based learning team per year
Participate in mentoring and counseling
Attend at least one CAT field experience
After 9th grade: Clemson Computer Science Field Experience
After 10th grade: Disney Youth Education Leadership Field Experience for WorkKeys Gold Level students
After 11th grade: College-credit courses, internships, and apprenticeships
12th grade: Capstone Field Experience at Disney World on physics and technology
Sit for certification examinations for industry-recognized credentials in engineering and computer science
Take courses for college credit or articulation credit
Have a modified HS schedule with 8.5 hours of individual learning and project time per week
Have access to a CAT Collaborative Commons tutoring and teamwork space within
Participate in a small mentoring and guidance group that progresses through the 4 years of the program
Take common academic courses with other CAT students designed to integrate computer science and engineering with English, Math, Science, and Social Studies; teachers will stay with students over multiple years
Have the opportunity to serve on the Youth Leadership Council and Advisory Board
Participate in college campus visits and receive assistance with college planning and applications
Have access to online, competency-credit courses