Shadow Ridge High School has announced the introduction of an innovative cybersecurity class aimed at equipping students with essential skills for the digital age. The course is an introductory cybersecurity course that will prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. This new addition to the curriculum comes in response to the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals and the growing importance of online safety.
The class is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in various aspects of cybersecurity. There are a lot of different ways that students will be assessed including projects, traditional tests, and cyber competitions.
Mr. Lloyd Mann, the one teaching the class says, “The new cybersecurity class is a class designed by the College Board – the same people who do AP classes. It is a two course program that they will be rolling out nationally in 2 years consisting of a Networking course and a Cybersecurity course.” He adds, “ It is called Career Kickstart Cybersecurity and it is a pilot program that three schools in Clark County are doing – us, Canyon Springs, and West CTA along with over 100 other schools across the nation. The goal is to reach and teach students who are looking for a career in cyber security.”
Mr. Mann expressed his enthusiasm for the program. “This class was put together in a very short time-frame as I didn’t even know what the subject matter was going to be until after I went to the training program in July over the summer. It is a pilot program this year which means that the College Board is taking our feedback to improve the class.”
In addition to fostering technical skills, the course will emphasize the ethical implications of cybersecurity practices, encouraging students to think critically about the responsibilities that come with working in this field.
As Shadow Ridge High School continues to adapt to the evolving educational class, the introduction of the cybersecurity class marks a significant step towards preparing students for the future. The school plans to collaborate with local tech companies and universities to provide additional resources and mentorship opportunities for students enrolled in the program.
Mr. Mann says, “There’s no collaboration yet as this is a pilot program just being rolled out. However, CompTIA – the national accrediting organization for computer science is already involved as most students will receive a certification voucher.”
With classes ready to begin, the school community eagerly anticipates the positive impact this initiative will have on students’ education and future career prospects.
“It is called Career Kickstart Cybersecurity and it is a pilot program that three schools in Clark County are doing – us, Canyon Springs, and West CTA along with over 100 other schools across the nation. The goal is to reach and teach students who are looking for a career in cyber security. Shadow Ridge currently has a robust Cyber Security CTE pathway including 4 different cyber courses.”
