Mojave High School prepping students for medical, agricultural careers

Mojave High School, 5302 Goldfield St., is participating in the Clark County School District’s Select School choice option. The school is set to offer Advanced Placement courses, agriculture, medical assisting and sports medicine programs.

“This is a way to engage students in their classes and have them decide early on what they want to do with their adult lives,” said principal Antonio Rael. “This will also give kids who didn’t get into a medical magnet school an opportunity to learn in a specialized field.”

Select Schools are high schools with high-quality specialized programs in the realms of study in career and technical education, AP course options and other unique program offerings.

Students who are currently in eighth or ninth grade and who live in the designated areas of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas can apply to the three-year programs.

The medical program is set to cost $45, and the agriculture program is set to cost $30 for the first year.

In addition, current freshmen, sophomores and juniors can apply for AP courses.

Those chosen will receive transportation.

Physical therapist David Tatlock is leading the school’s Medical Academy program.

“This academy is offering the same medical education as magnet schools and will be the only operating physical therapy clinic within a high school setting next year,” Tatlock said. “We are helping turn around a school with a graduation rate of only 43 percent to one that had 62 percent last year.”

The school has shown double-digit gains in its graduation rate over a three-year period and a 20 percent growth in math, reading, science and writing test scores, according to Rael.

As part of the sports medicine program, Tatlock is set to offer internships to second- and third-year students to put their skills into practice.

Students also have an opportunity to practice on one another and teachers.

“I used to be very immature and talk a lot in class. Sometimes I would get kicked out,” said student Jaylon Delgado, 16. “Since I started this program, I’ve gotten better grades. Mr. Tatlock taught me to care about my future and keep my eye on the goal.”

Students receive their own scrubs and learn how to check blood pressure, pulses and how to interact with patients.

This fall, Tatlock plans to bring his own patients into the classroom.

“Mr. Tatlock teaches us real-world techniques that we can use to work on patients,” said student Mey Mey Heng, 16. “He’s become more than just a teacher. He’s our mentor.”

Jamie Barcena is scheduled to teach the agricultural science program. She plans to teach a variety of topics, including floral design, gardening, food science, animal science and farming.

“Students have so many ideas for the program,” Barcena said. “They want to start their own juice and smoothie bar on campus, so this class will teach them entrepreneurial skills on top of nutrition and health.”

Barcena also received a Food For All grant through the Future Farmers of America organization for students to learn how to garden and donate a certain amount of food to homeless shelters.

The school district plans to add seven new magnet programs and five Select School options for the 2015-16 school year.

Its goals are to create more opportunities and choices for students, as well as help address overcrowding in some schools, drawing students to less-crowded schools with Magnet programs, according to ccsd.net.

Parents of interested students must apply online by April 15 at itsyourchoice.ccsd.net.

If the number of students who apply exceeds the capacity of the school and/or program, a lottery will be conducted to determine which students are selected.

“The sky is the limit for these students,” Barcena said. “It’s going to be a wonderful experience for them.”

For more information, visit itsyourchoice.ccsd.net/select-schools or call 702-799-8492.

Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.