In classrooms across the district, some students are already preparing to enter the medical field after high school. Through specialized programs, Career and Technical Education classes, models, and hands-on labs, they are learning the skills and terminology they’ll need to succeed as medical professionals.
At Arlington High School, many take courses like sports medicine, human body systems, and principles of biomedical science. These classes become the base or foundation for their future careers. From learning vital signs to responses to emergencies, students are jumping into the world of medicine – and finding that what they learn has real-world applications.
“All these classes are helping me understand the body a lot better…So, when I plan on being an EMT firefighter, I understand the steps I have to take to help people and like what’s going on, not just going into it blindly,” Chris Bydalek (‘26) said.
This early exposure is amazing for students who are exploring different healthcare paths. Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center has opened the door for students to learn from actual healthcare professionals. At Sno-Isle, students work in a medical environment, learn patient care, and perform clinical procedures under supervision.
“We’re preparing for a CNA test we’re going to take at the end of the year and just preparing me to understand what I’m going to do for the future,” Jessica Estrada (‘27) said. A CNA exam is given to aspiring nursing assistants. It is split between a written and a clinical portion and usually takes months if not years to study for.
For students like her, every new skill is a step closer to her medical career. Nursing programs through Sno-Isle and EvCc are popular amongst students hoping to enter the medical field right after graduation. The programs inside our districts offer essential preparation for the face-paced field.
Many students say their high school work has already given them an advantage. Sports Medicine, for example, introduces students to the human body, first aid and terminology. Medical courses through Arlington High School and Weston are often used as the first stepping stone in a student’s pathway. Then, students can choose the best pathway or program to further their education and transfer their past knowledge to wherever they may end up.
“So, those classes more so helped with terminology and understanding [medical] vocab,”
“It gave me the basics because we learned blood pressure in sports med and that’s what we’re also doing in Sno-Isle right now.” Estrada said.
There are also some ways our community can educate students about the medical field. Students can do internships, office work or job shadows. Other students feel that their coursework is helping them to make sense of medical language and processes they encounter outside of school.
“A lot of the times when they’re talking about diagnoses or just basically locations or bones of the body, I understand what they’re saying, and if I don’t understand, I can use some logical reasoning to figure it out. And just using some of this terminology I’ve learned,” Blake Burr (‘28) said.
Students in principles of biomedical science say that learning the science helps them understand how the human body functions. Stephanie Jordan, a sports medicine teacher at Weston says that to be a successful medical professional, it is vital to know some of the science behind the body systems.
“By learning the basics and transferring and translating DNA… it really builds the foundation for what comes next,” Cadence Leverett (‘27) said.
Teachers say these classes and programs not only prepare students academically but also build essential skills in life like communication, teamwork and ethics -all crucial in healthcare settings. Whether they’re practicing how to take blood pressure, draw blood or study medical histories, students are developing the important skills to help others that will follow them way beyond high school.
As these students prepare for training, internships, and certification tests, their dedication gives many people faith that the future of healthcare is in great hands. “It may be hard work, but they are learning to save lives,” Nicole Roskelley AHS sports med teacher said.
