- Palm Beach Lakes Community High
- Five Carat Choice Program
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Five Carat Choice Program
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The Five Carat Choice Program at Palm Beach Lakes is an exciting program consisting of six dynamic academies: Biotechnology Academy, Early Childhood/Teacher Education Academy, Law Academy, Marine Corps JROTC Academy, Medical Sciences Academy, and Fire Academy. Our mission is to prepare our students for the ever-changing society and world in which they live. No matter how they select to do it, PBL's Carats will impact our future in a grand and positive way. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the pillars of Palm Beach Lakes Community High School!
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Biotechnology
The Biotechnology program is a program delivered in a state–of–the–art facility that offers students the opportunity to prepare for the career path and the challenges of college. The students have a wide variety of experiences, which may include the opportunity to “gown–up” and work in a clean room. Students experiment with plants while studying the science of hydroponics in the school’s hydroponic greenhouses. Technology is infused throughout the curriculum. These academies have established partnerships with biotech companies in the area.
Biotechnology Academy at PBL
Students will learn how research using biotechnology is applied to present-day medical, agricultural, forensic science and environmental research. The program will also enable students to continue on to higher education and learn advanced skills in the field of science- based industries. Students will be provided with unique opportunities to work in our new state of the art facility, conduct research in an on-site hydroponics greenhouse, and interact with industry leaders. Students can also be certified as Biotechnician Lab Assistants at the end of their coursework.Program Requirements
Students interested in this academy must achieve and maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average.
Curriculum
Grade 9 -- Biotechnology 1
Grade 10 -- Biotechnology 2
Grade 11 -- Biotechnology 3
Grade 12 -- Research 3
Academy Gems
All Honors Courses
Hydroponics Garden
Club Biotech
Partnership with PBSC
Partnership with University of Florida
Partnership with Florida Atlantic University (Orchid Project)
BACE Industry Certification
National Technical Honor Society -
Center for Pre-Law/Law-Related Careers at the Gerald A. Williams Center for Pre-Law
Pre–Law and Law–Related programs are designed for students interested in careers in law, legal service and public affairs. Students may participate in internships in government agencies, law offices, and law enforcement facilities. They are exposed to a broad range of law–related issues by teachers, guest speakers, and field trips, as they gain an in–depth understanding of how the legal system impacts every aspect of society. Students have the opportunity to learn in a courtroom lab setting through The Gerald A. Williams Center for Pre–Law. Community partnerships create outstanding school–to–work experiences in areas such as the courts, law enforcement, corrections, probation, and justice.
Law Academy at PBL
In addition to the standard high school core curriculum, the Law Academy provides pathways for careers in law studies, business technology education, and legal assistant technology via partnerships with local colleges. Students are provided with an in-depth understanding of how our legal system, Constitution, and judicial process impact every aspect of our society, and are provided leadership opportunities throughout our community. Capable students can take Dual Enrollment and earn a legal professional certification.
Requirements
Students interested in Lakes Law need to have at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average.
Curriculum
Grade 9--Constitutional Law Honors
Grade 10--Comprehensive Law Honors
Grade 11--Court Procedures (Semester One) & Research (Semester Two)
Grade 12--Business Law 1 & 2 (Dual Enrollment) OR Legal Aspects of Business
*Debate Class (9-12)--Competition Team Students
Gems
Attorney Instructor
Partnership with Major Firms (e.g. Craig Goldenfarb, Searcy Denney, etc.)
Professional Legal Secretary (Industry Certification)
Law Club & Law Honor Society
"We the People" Competition (in Conjunction with Florida Southern College)
Youth Court
Mock Trial Competition Team
Moot Court Competition Team -
Digital Media Technology - Scholastic Esports In-House Program
The Digital Media Technology - Scholastic Esports program focuses on Digital Media, Gaming Development, and Entrepreneurship. Students can earn up to five industry certifications through the four-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway. An emphasis is placed on innovative and immersive career-oriented education aligning with industry standards, integrated through the Network of Academic Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF). The rising interest in Esports among students motivates us to infuse Esports components into daily teaching, aligning with the District's comprehensive Esports ecosystem. The program goal is to nurture students' passion for careers in Esports and enable them to access scholarships for higher education. Esports equips students with essential academic and technical skills crucial for future success in STEM and non-STEM postsecondary learning pathways and careers.
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Early Childhood Teacher Education
The Early Childhood Teacher Education program is a program in which high school students prepare for careers in child–related occupations, earning high school honors credits and/or Dual Enrollment college credits. Career possibilities may include teaching, child psychology, social work, and day–care ownership. The program prepares students for post–secondary education or immediate entry into the Palm Beach County workforce. Students gain teaching experience through internships at area preschools and elementary schools. Early Childhood Teacher Education programs provide students with teaching experience in the laboratory preschools located on high school campuses.
Early Childhood Teacher Academy
Our Early Childhood Academy is designed to prepare students for a career in a preschool or daycare center as a child care worker, child care teacher aide, preschool teacher, or childcare director or administrator. It will introduce students to other careers working with children such as a speech pathologist, social worker, recreation specialist, or child psychologist. Students may also qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Student have the opportunity to earn a National CDA credential. The real nugget is that these graduates sign contracts for priority hiring with our school district.
Program Requirements
Students interested in this academy must achieve and maintain a 2.5 Grade Point Average.
Academy Curriculum
Grade 9 -- Early Childhood 1
Grade 10 -- Early Childhood 2
Grade 11 -- Early Childhood 3
Grade 12 -- Early Childhood 4 AND Family & Consumer Science
Academy Gems
CPR Trained
Partnership with Junior Achievement
Internships with Local Elementary Schools and Headstarts
Opportunities to Teach Pre-School
Local & National Industry Certification Credentials (National CDA)
Future Florida Educators of America (Career and Technical Student Organization)
Aids Students Interested in Medical Fields
Earn College Credits with Program Completion -
Fire Science
The Fire Science program is a four–year program that prepares cadets as outstanding applicants for entry into post-graduate fire academies, specifically Palm Beach State College. Students learn skills including: fire behavior, first responder model, personal protective equipment, use of ropes, tools and equipment, use of fire streams and fundamentals of extinguishment, and rescue procedures. The Fire Science program is a structured “attention on deck” environment with students earning leadership positions as company officers. Students in the Academy are concurrently enrolled in Medical Sciences.
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Marine Corps JROTC
There are challenges ahead and decisions to make. Marine Corps JROTC provides students with the life skills to tackle those challenges. The curriculum includes lessons in leadership, citizenship, physical education, marksmanship and career exploration. Participation in the Marines JROTC program can help students make the best decisions based upon learning and practicing core values and the development of character and personal responsibility. Students in this program are taught to recognize diversity as a strength and a leadership imperative and to encourage and embrace innovative change while accomplishing a mission through teamwork.
MARINE CORPS JROTC Academy at PBL
The Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training (JROTC) Training Corps program mission is to instill in high school students (Cadets) the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. One of the main skills students walk away with is LEADERSHIP! The leadership skills they acquire as a result of the academy help to build cadets' overall confidence in themselves. With that, they are certain to be successful in the future. There is no obligation to join any branch of the military moving forward. The program enhances the lives of cadets and make them prepared, organized, and responsibility--necessary tools for all walks of life.
Requirements
While there is no GPA requirement to initially qualify for the MCJROTC at Lakes, prospective cadets should be enrolled in high school (working towards a high school diploma), have a sense of citizenship and respect for others, and be physically fit to participate. Once in the academy, Cadets are required to keep at least a 2.0 GPA.
Curriculum
Grade 9--MC Lead 1
Grade 10--MC Lead 2
Grade 11--MC Lead 3
Grade 12--MC Lead 4
Gems
Academic Team
Drill Team
Color Guard
Rifle Team
Raider (PT) Squad
Partnership with Special Olympics
Develops Character, Leadership, and Civic Responsibility
Community Service Oriented (5K Initiatives, Campus Beautification Projects
Possible Qualification at Program Completion (MC Foundation Scholarships) -
Medical Sciences - Pre-Medicine
The Medical Sciences Honors program offers an innovative, integrated learning environment designed to provide the student with the medical skills and training necessary to succeed in postsecondary healthcare career education and/or to successfully transition into the healthcare workforce. This comprehensive program combines a rigorous academic curriculum with intense clinical and laboratory experience. Student clinical rotations are conducted at area hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Clinical clearance, including a background check and drug screening are required prior to entering the clinical setting.
Medical Academy at PBL
Lakes Medical is nationally recognized and certified by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Students get to explore their interests in medicine while obtaining the hands-on learning experiences that make learning REAL and fun. PBL medical students participate in job shadowing and clinicals. The work in interactive Anatomy & Physiology labs as well as take part in a disaster preparedness program. Certifications abound in the Medical Academy; each certification allows students to "go to work" right after high school if they so choose. Many hold down these professional positions in the medical field (according to their certifications) while attending college full time. The possibilities in the Medical Academy are endless!
Requirements
Students interested in Lakes Medical need to have at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average.
Curriculum
Grade 9--Health Science Anatomy & Physiology (Honors Course)
Grade 10--Health Science Foundations (Honors Course)
Grade 11--Allied Health Assisting 3 (Honors Course) & Emergency Medical Responding 3 (Honors Course)
Grade 12--Electrocardiograph Technician 3 (Honors Course) & Pharmacy Technician 7 (Honors Course)
Gems
HOSA Club (Student Organization)
HOSA Competitions (Local, State, and National Level)
Junior & Senior Internships (Clinical Participation)
All Honors Courses
National Technical Honor Society
Certifications:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Certified EKG Technician (CET)
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)