Our innovative high school Career-Based Learning program allows students to step outside the classroom and engage in hands-on learning while earning credit.
A wide range of community partners allows our students to dive into internships, experiential programs, jobs, or independent projects. Students gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to make a difference in the world around them. They can explore a diverse range of career pathways while building a high school portfolio that stands out. HTA students have made award-winning videos; been hands-on with a veterinary practice, an architecture firm, and a medical lab; they have engaged in environmental stewardship; built robots and radio telescopes; designed museum installations; and much more.
CHECK OUT OUR STUDENTS’ AMAZING WORK
GAME DEV
Waipahu’s Kingston C is deep into the worlds of coding and game development thanks to his CBL project with GameDev HQ. He started with a 2D space shooter game, called Interstellar, but is now creating movie-like 3D scenes.
You can download his Interstellar game here. It’s a single-player space shooter with different types of enemy spaceships and player power ups. Once you beat all of the main rounds, the boss battle begins. Can you beat the game?
PATHWAY: Information Technology
PARTNER: GameDev HQ
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS
Thomas O joined Waipahu’s Environmental Stewards to work with the Kupu Foundation and help take care of the ‘āina. Thomas’ work led to a spot in Kupu’s Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps summer program. With other students from around the state, he helped protect O‘ahu’s native ecosystems at places like Paepae O He‘eia and Papahana Kuaola.
PATHWAY: Natural Resources
PARTNER: Kupu Foundation
ACTION WITH HONU PRODUCTIONS
HTA’s award-winning media students are already on the job thanks to partner ‘Ōlelo Media Group. Students learn how to film, edit, and tell stories in the digital medium. Last year, they were commissioned to make a 40-minute documentary for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, which showcases what Native Hawaiian youth are doing to protect their traditions — you can watch it here.
PATHWAY: Media & Broadcasting
PARTNER: ‘Ōlelo Media Group
EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE
Maui’s Jed T has always been fascinated by space. So he jumped at the opportunity to work with JD Armstrong from the University of Hawai‘i’s Institute for Astronomy. At the institute Jed programmed telescopes to look for near-Earth objects such as asteroids and comets. And he has actually built his own radio telescope, which observes the rotation of the Milky Way. Jed’s work has done well at the state science fairs and won him a scholarship from the Emergency Amateur Radio Club.
PATHWAY: STEM
PARTNER: UH Institute for Astronomy
HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEUR
Kona’s Kayah L wanted a custom model of her horse. She couldn’t find one, so she taught herself how to paint custom models. She got so good at it that she opened her own online store and the orders started galloping in. Kayah continues to grow and refine her business as part of the Career-Based Learning program. You can visit her store here.
PATHWAY: Arts
BUSINESS: Beachside Horse
A WORLD PREMIERE
A famished chameleon is determined to find his next meal and survive another day, despite a sneaky bug. Distance Learning student Skye A’s short comedy animation, “Hunger Pains,” won a spot and its world premiere at the 42nd Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
Watch the chameleon’s tale here.
PATHWAY: Audio/Visual Technology
PARTNER: Spotlight on the Entertainment Industry, Pathway to Purpose
WORK-BASED LEARNING
CBL students pair up with an HTA COMMUNITY PARTNER or an INDEPENDENT mentor.
You complete 60 hours/semester in a work-based environment, guided by your mentor and your HTA advisor. Throughout the semester you document your progress and hours, and cap off your project with a final presentation.
At the end of the semester, students receive a pass or fail grade along with an evaluation from their mentor and advisor.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Contribute to your community through a community service project. Students volunteer with organizations or groups outside of the campus and school hours.
Complete 60 hours in a semester or school year alongside a supervisor and HTA advisor. Students document their hours and activities and wrap up with a final presentation.
CBL PATHWAYS
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (partners: Pathway to Purpose, Kupu Foundation)
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications (partner: Pathway to Purpose)
Media & Broadcasting (partner: ‘Ōlelo Media Group)
Business Management & Administration
Education & Training
Marketing
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services (partner: Ceeds of Peace)
Health Science
Architecture & Construction
Information Technology (partners: GameDevHQ, Pathway to Purpose)
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (partners: Dolphin Quest, Pathway to Purpose)
Community Service
Individual Projects
