Families of current eighth and ninth graders across St. Johns County can explore career pathways at district high schools during a free showcase on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the WGV Renaissance in St. Augustine.

The St. Johns County School District's Career and Technical Education department announced its annual High School Showcase on Tuesday, Aug. 18, billing the event as a hands-on introduction to the academies and programs that shape students' four-year plans. The showcase runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at 500 S. Legacy Trail.

Students and teachers from each high school will staff booths and walk families through their programs. Industry partners who provide internships and job-shadow placements will also attend.

Career academies and programs at area high schools

The district operates 29 career academies with more than 40 career pathways as of early 2026, according to a St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce legislative brief. High school CTE enrollment grew from 5,800 students to more than 10,000 in the four years ending in early 2026.

For families in the St. Johns Record coverage area, the academies break down this way:

Bartram Trail High School offers the Design Academy (interior, architectural and fashion design), the Information Technology Academy and the VyStar Academy of Business.

Creekside High School offers the Academy of Emerging Technology (cybersecurity and financial technology), the Academy of Engineering & Environmental Sciences, the Communications Academy (digital media and TV production) and the St. Johns County Academy of Future Teachers.

St. Augustine High School houses the Academy of Aviation and Aerospace, the Academy of Advanced Automation Technology, the Academy of Law & Homeland Security and a second Academy of Future Teachers campus.

Beyond career academies, the showcase covers Junior ROTC (including Air Force JROTC at Bartram Trail), the St. Johns County Center for the Arts, the Advanced International Certificate of Education program, International Baccalaureate and the Early College Program.

Which families the showcase is designed for

The event targets families of rising ninth and 10th graders. In practice, that means current eighth and ninth graders planning for the 2027-28 school year.

Any student who meets a program's requirements and can provide transportation may apply through a lottery to attend any district high school, with priority given to students zoned for each school and active military families.

"This is a great opportunity for us to showcase employers of all types in our region to students and parents," Aliyah Meyer, economic development coordinator at the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, said in a January 2026 chamber recap of the prior year's event. "There are opportunities in St. Johns County that align with every Career Academy in the district."

Cost and what comes after the showcase

The showcase is free.

Registration details have not been posted. Families can check cte.stjohns.k12.fl.us for updates, including the timeline for Program of Interest applications that open after the showcase.