The Foundations Office
The Automotive, Construction, Information Technology, and the Restaurant and Hospitality Management Foundations provide classroom instruction, lab settings, and authentic real world experiences for students. Exciting career pathways prepare students for a wide range of post-secondary options within the automotive, construction, information technology, and hospitality and restaurant management industries. Programs include rigorous curriculum, state-of-the-art technology, career pathway programs, industry certification opportunities, articulation agreements, community business partners, entrepreneurial projects, scholarships/awards and Student Service Learning Hours.
Click the tabs to learn more about each respective program.
Students - Enroll now for Automotive, Construction, Information Technology and Restaurant and Hospitality Management programs at Seneca Valley HS or the Thomas Edison HS of Technology ! Limited space- apply now - counseling staff will help to adjust your schedule to fit!
The Foundations Office is composed of four separate non-profit educational foundations that support students in the Automotive, Construction, Information Technology, and Restaurant and Hospitality Management industries. The Foundation Office serves as a liaison between the business/professional community and MCPS. This relationship promotes the advancement of career education and prepares students for a full range of careers within each industry.
Find out what the excitement is all about - see our video where you can see some of the amazing opportunities afforded to MCPS students!
Automotive Trades Foundation
The Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) operates a used-car dealership. ATF programs are located at Damascus, Gaithersburg, Edison, and Seneca Valley High Schools. The program is nationally certified by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), and Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES).
Automotive Trades Foundation Video
Construction Trades Foundation
The Construction Trades Foundation (CTF) supervises career pathways at Seneca Valley HS and the Thomas Edison HS. Both schools offer Architecture design and construction pathways that includes Carpentry, Construction Electricity, HVAC, Masonry and Plumbing. The design and construction of a student house project is part of each student's experience at the Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Go to the Construction Trades Foundation website
Check out our video:
Construction Trades Foundation Video
Information Technology Foundation
The Information Technology Foundation (ITF) provides information technology education and entrepreneurship opportunities for high school students at Clarksburg HS, Seneca Valley HS, and the Thomas Edison School of Technology, drawing students from all areas of Montgomery County. Students are provided state-of-the art and nationally recognized (CompTIA) computer networking and hardware courses through an innovative foundation approach to teaching. Additionally, the ITF supports high school and middle school IT programs throughout MCPS.
Go to the Information Technologies Foundation website
Find out about our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs for middle school students here
Check out our Information Technology Foundation video.
Foundation for Hospitality and Restaurant Management
Pursue your interests in hotel management, restaurant management, food service, and related careers. Gain proficiency in in culinary, work-based, and management skills using the ProStart Curriculum from the National Restaurant Association. Learn to work with a variety of customers and be mentored by industry professionals during internship experiences.
Career Readiness Education Academy (CREA)
The Career Readiness Education Academy (CREA) is a career readiness education program for older English Language Learners (ELLs) in MCPS who are unlikely to meet all graduation requirements prior to turning 21.
Montgomery County Collaboration Board (MCCB)
Staff
Personnel who make Foundations programs successful
Testimonials
Foundations student reflections
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