CareerLink Academies & Pathways
Students in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District gain an advantage in unique, future-ready career technical education academies and pathways at our high schools – El Dorado, Esperanza, Valencia, Yorba Linda, and El Camino Real. Below is a list of what each school offers.
El Dorado High School
Digital Media Arts Academy - El Dorado High School’s Digital Media Arts Academy (DMAA) is a specialized program offering four comprehensive pathways—Video Production, Photography, Graphic Design, and Game Art Design—each providing multi-year, college and career-ready coursework that fosters creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
Digital Media Arts Academy - El Dorado High School’s Digital Media Arts Academy (DMAA) is a specialized program offering four comprehensive pathways—Video Production, Photography, Graphic Design, and Game Art Design—each providing multi-year, college and career-ready coursework that fosters creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
ED LAW Academy - ED LAW encourages and supports students in developing and enhancing skills prized as core competencies in the legal profession while simultaneously enriching their legal knowledge and understanding and their exposure to a wide array of legal career fields and mentors therein, all within a community of caring, committed, and collaborative high achievers.
Esperanza High School
Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps - The JROTC program at Esperanza High School focuses on leadership development, citizenship, and teamwork. Through classroom instruction, physical training, and service activities, students build confidence, discipline, and responsibility while developing skills that support success in school and beyond.
AP Capstone - AP Capstone is a prestigious College Board program that develops college-level research, critical thinking, and presentation skills through two year-long courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, preparing students for success in higher education by focusing on transferable skills rather than specific subject content. Students earn an AP Capstone Diploma by successfully completing these two courses and passing four additional AP exams, setting them apart in college applications.
Aztec Engineering & Manufacturing Academy - Prepares students for college, career, and life through hands-on design, technology, and manufacturing experience with opportunities for industry certifications.
Computer Science Pathway - The Computer Science Pathway introduces students to the foundations of programming, computational thinking, and cybersecurity while preparing them for careers in the rapidly growing technology field. Students can begin with AP Computer Science Principles, where they explore the basics of coding, digital systems, the internet, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data science. In AP Computer Science A, students develop advanced programming skills using Java while strengthening their problem-solving and logical thinking abilities through real-world coding challenges. Students may also explore Cybersecurity, where they learn how to protect digital systems, analyze cyber threats, and understand the importance of privacy and security in today’s connected world. This pathway helps students build valuable technical skills while preparing them for college-level coursework and future careers in computer science and technology.
Culinary Arts Pathway - Esperanza's two-year Culinary Arts work-based learning pathway gives students hands-on experience in cooking, baking, and professional kitchen practices.
Students begin with Culinary Arts I, the first-year concentrator course, where they learn essential cooking and baking techniques, nutrition, and food safety. They also have the opportunity to earn their California Food Handler’s Certification. In Culinary Arts II or Culinary Arts II Honors, the second-year capstone courses, students develop advanced culinary skills and explore menu planning, food-service operations, management, and entrepreneurship.
Aligned with California’s CTE Model Curriculum Standards for Food Service and Hospitality, the pathway integrates Career Ready Practices (CRPs) and helps students strengthen their teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and professionalism through experiences that reflect industry expectations. Students build a foundation for further education and careers in the culinary and hospitality industries.
Digital, Visual & Media Arts Pathway - The Design, Visual and Media Arts Career Pathway consists of beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses that provide students with project-based learning experiences and prepare them to become graphic designers. Students receive training in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Collaborations with other departments, classes, clubs, schools, and outside organizations provide unique opportunities for students to advertise and promote events. Throughout the pathway, Digital Design students create professional portfolios and develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. Upon successfully completing the pathway, students are also eligible to take the Adobe Certified Professional Exam.
- Patient Care Pathway - The Medical Sciences (Patient Care) Pathway prepares students for careers in the healthcare field by developing foundational medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional practices. Students begin with Medical Careers, where they explore healthcare professions while learning medical terminology, legal and ethical responsibilities, and essential skills such as vital signs, first aid, and infection control. In Body Systems, Diseases, and Disorders, students study how major body systems function and learn to recognize the signs, symptoms, and progression of common diseases while participating in hands-on laboratory experiences. The pathway culminates with Medical Assisting, where students strengthen clinical and decision-making skills through case studies, simulations, and real-world applications, including a work-based externship experience. Students also prepare for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification exam, providing valuable preparation for future healthcare careers.
- Sports Medicine Pathway - The Sports Medicine Pathway prepares students for careers in sports medicine, athletic training, and related health science fields by combining a strong foundation in science with hands-on clinical and sports medicine experiences. Students begin with Health & Medical Terminology while building a foundation in Living Earth, developing an understanding of human health, medical terminology, and healthcare careers. In Medical Careers, students expand their knowledge of healthcare professions and develop foundational skills related to patient care and safety while studying Chemistry. Students then apply their science knowledge in Sports Medicine 1 alongside Anatomy, exploring human anatomy and physiology, injury prevention, evaluation, and management of common athletic injuries. The pathway culminates with Sports Medicine 2 and a work-based Internship, where students strengthen their practical skills through real-world applications and further explore careers in athletic training, physical therapy, medicine, and other health science fields.
Valencia High School
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program- The International Baccalaureate program provides a rigorous, globally recognized curriculum that prepares students for college through broad, inquiry-driven learning, critical analysis, creativity, cross-cultural understanding, and the development of strong values, time management, and work ethic.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program- The International Baccalaureate program provides a rigorous, globally recognized curriculum that prepares students for college through broad, inquiry-driven learning, critical analysis, creativity, cross-cultural understanding, and the development of strong values, time management, and work ethic.
Cambridge AICE Diploma Program - The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a three-year, internationally recognized diploma program requiring study across math and science, languages, arts and humanities, plus a core course in Global Perspectives & Research.
Val Tech Academy - A specialized magnet program in technology that offers eight distinct pathways and incorporates an on-the-job internship component to enhance real-world experience.
Education Pathway - Prepares students for careers working with children by exploring diverse educational roles and gaining real-world experience in both primary and secondary classrooms through scheduled work-based learning opportunities.
Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) - Preparing students for career success and lifelong skills through hands-on training in plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, along with industry certifications and real-world building experience.
Engineering Design Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness and life through electrical, mechanical and software engineering, technology, and automation experience with opportunities for academic competition through robotics competitions through FIRST Robotics.
Culinary Arts Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness and life through hands-on cooking, industry certifications, and real-world hospitality experience.
Cyber Security Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness through hands-on labs and real life security simulations with AP Credit and industry standard certifications and internship opportunities.
IT, Network Support and Administration Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness through hands-on labs and real life network simulations with AP Credit and industry standard certifications and internship opportunities.
Computer Science Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness through hands-on labs, extensive programming and real life applications with AP Credit and internship opportunities.
Business and Finance Pathway - Preparing students for career readiness with essential business knowledge, communication and technology skills, and real-world leadership experience with opportunities through academic competitions with FBLA as well as preparing for industry standard certifications.
Publications Pathway - Preparing students through hands-on instruction where they will gain the necessary skills for careers specifically related to printed and online media.
Video Production and Sports & Event Broadcasting Pathway - Tiger Tube and TSEN (Tigers Sports & Event Network) prepares students for career readiness through hands-on film making, news gathering and live broadcasting of sports and events with internship opportunities. TSEN was recognized on television by the CIF-SS last year with a feature spot on Spectrum Sports - CIF This Week.
Graphic Design Pathway - Preparing students through hands-on instruction where they will gain the necessary skills for careers specifically related to Graphic Design.
Photography Pathway - Preparing students through hands-on instruction where they will gain the necessary skills for careers specifically related to Photography.
Yorba Linda High School
Mustang Culinary Academy - The Yorba Linda Culinary Academy CTE pathway combines hands-on culinary training with hospitality management and industry knowledge, preparing students for careers or further education in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Mustang Culinary Academy - The Yorba Linda Culinary Academy CTE pathway combines hands-on culinary training with hospitality management and industry knowledge, preparing students for careers or further education in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Mustang Business Academy - The Business Management Career Technical Education Pathway equips students with essential business knowledge, communication and technology skills, and real-world leadership experience by managing the student-run Mustang Market, fostering preparation for college, careers, and industry certifications.
Brand Creation & Design Pathways - BCAD is a studio production course where students create original logos/graphics using the screen printing process to produce industry products.
Digital Photography Pathway - Digital Photo is a comprehensive program that focuses on the development of photographic techniques, editing skills, and the use of Photoshop to meet industry standards.
El Camino Real High School
RAPID: Raptor Academy of Printing, Imaging, & Design - The Raptor Academy of Printing, Imaging and Design provides an opportunity for students to express their creativity and build college and career ready skills through digital design projects including shirts, posters, hats, stickers and other projects.
CTE Annual Public Notification
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability, or any other basis protected by law or regulation in its program or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District offers classes in many career and technical education program areas such as Design, Visual & Media Arts, Cabinetry, Millwork & Woodworking, Game Design & Integration, Production & Managerial Arts, Education, Engineering Design, Machining & Forming Technologies, Patient Care, Food Services & Hospitality, Software & Systems Development, Residential & Commercial Construction, Financial Services, Networking, and Business Management under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact the CTE Director: Dr. Candace Perez, Deputy Superintendent, Academic Leadership Team, 1301 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870, [email protected] (714) 985-8651.
Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies.
If you, or your student, have been subjected to discrimination, you should contact your school site principal and/or:
- Title IX and any other discrimination complaints - Tonya Gordillo, Assistant Director, Student Services, Phone: (714) 985-8670, [email protected].
- Title II Coordinator / 504 Coordinator / Americans with Disabilities Act complaints - Jaymie Shill, Assistant Director, Special Education. Phone: (714) 985-8727.
- Bullying, intimidation complaints - Tonya Gordillo, Assistant Director, Student Services (714) 985-8670.
The mailing address for all compliance officers is 1301 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870.