BLOOMINGDALE — Local teens will be exposed to career technical education opportunities during the upcoming eighth-grade tours and sophomore visits at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

Supervisor-Principal Heather Hoover said middle and high schoolers will be on site during November to get an introduction to the JVS’s offerings should they be interested in attending in the future. Eighth-grade tours are set for Nov. 6, 7 and 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the sophomore visits will follow on Nov. 12-14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendants have a chance to view the school’s 16 programs, including animal science management, auto collision, auto service technology, carpentry, computer networking technology, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical trades, health technologies, heavy equipment operation, multimedia and design, power mechanics, Transition to Work and welding with two additions being eyed for the 2026-2027 school term.

“We will host each of the home schools who want to participate,” Hoover said. “As of now, we are still open and any schools that would like to sign up can reach out to (JVS school counselor]) Shellie Henderson to schedule it.”

Currently, Buckeye Local Junior High and Toronto Junior High pupils will tour on Nov. 6 with Edison Junior High on Nov. 7 and Indian Creek Middle School students on Nov. 10. Harrison Central and Indian Creek high schools will be joined by Jefferson County Christian School students for sophomore days on Nov. 12 with Buckeye Local High School, Steubenville Catholic Central and any Virtual Learning Academy or homeschooled youth on Nov. 13 and Edison and Toronto on Nov. 14.

“The eighth-graders will have the opportunity to visit each lab for bewteen 10 and 15 minutes to see the facility and learn about the coursework, and if time permits they may see a brief demonstration of one of the concepts being taught,” Hoover continued.

The middle schoolers will then have lunch in the commons before departing for their home schools. Sophomores will have a similar chance to view the school and decide which programs, if any, they may want to study at the JVS.

“They will have an opportunity to visit a table representing each lab and they will get to see the initial program, then select their top three choices,” she commented. “They will have the ability to visit the labs to see what is happening and each lab will have a student and staff representative to help guide the visitors and have peer-to-peer connections as well as to answer questions if students are interested in attending next year.”

The application process to enroll for next fall will begin after Thanksgiving and Hoover said anyone interested can look for details on the JVS’s social media pages. She added that applications may be made online and the programs select between 20 and 25 students each. She said more options may be available next year as officials are reviewing the addition of HVAC and fire and EMS programs for juniors.

“We are extremely excited and hopeful that they will take place next fall.”

She said JVS representatives will visit home schools to preview what to expect on the tours. For information about the upcoming visits, contact the JVS at (740) 264-5545.