CHRISTIANSBURG, Virginia. – Montgomery County Public Schools has received over $37,000 to expand its drone program.

The grant, awarded in May by the Virginia Department of Education, is part of a larger initiative to improve career and technical education (CTE) programs across the state. Montgomery County Public Schools is one of 16 school districts that received funding from the department for their in-school CTE programs.

This is the seventh consecutive year the county has received these funds. The grant will be used to purchase additional drones for middle schools and to establish a pathways program that prepares students for advanced courses in high school.

“Students have a basic understanding of how drones and unmanned aerial systems work, so when they get to high school, they can incorporate those concepts into things like architecture and drafting courses or into agriculture courses or photography courses. That really allows them to expand their project-based learning opportunities,” said Mark Husband, director of career and technical education and virtual learning.

Last year, 70 students were registered for the drone courses; this year, about 40 high school students are taking part.

The drone program is part of a broader CTE curriculum that includes a variety of courses ranging from cosmetology and welding to cybersecurity. These programs aim to prepare students for the workforce by teaching them important skills.

My husband said that almost all students take CTE courses, with an average of about 3,500 kids enrolling each year.

“CTE courses cover a wide range of different educational pathways and career options, but they all teach fundamental workplace readiness skills and prepare students for their education and work in their chosen career field,” Husband said.