Monroe High School is proud to announce the addition of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

This exciting new program supports our strategic goal of ensuring every student graduates ready for their future, including pathways to high-demand, livable wage careers. For students interested in healthcare, this is a powerful opportunity to gain real-world experience and industry certification in a high-demand field before leaving high school.

A Direct Pathway into the Medical Field

Open to students entering 11th or 12th grade in 2026–27, this hands-on program provides foundational training for careers in healthcare. Classes will be held at Monroe High School in a two-period block that meets graduation requirements for:

• 1.0 Career & Technical Education (CTE) credit
• 1.0 Lab Science credit

Students will be prepared for employment as entry-level Certified Nursing Assistants in:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Long-term care facilities
• Clinics
• Home and community health agencies
• Other healthcare settings

Real-World Experience. Real Certification.

This course is built around practical, career-ready skills. Students will learn:

• Standards of practice for nursing assistants
• Communication and employability skills
• Anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Legal and ethical responsibilities
• Infection control and safety principles
• Resident and patient rights
• Emergency procedures, including CPR

In addition to classroom instruction, students will complete:

• 32 hours of skills lab training
• 40 hours of clinical training

We are currently finalizing a partnership with Evergreen Health, which is expected to provide acute care clinical hours for students and provide valuable, real-world hospital experience.

At the end of the program, students will have the opportunity to take the state written and skills exams to earn their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, qualifying them for employment as a CNA. That means students can graduate with a professional healthcare credential already in hand.

Who Should Apply?
This course is ideal for 11th and 12th grade students interested in nursing, medicine, therapy, emergency services, or any health-related career.

Prerequisites
Students must have completed Anatomy & Physiology, Sports Medicine I, or receive teacher approval.

How to Enroll
Students will register for the course as part of their class registration process in March 2026. Registrations will be reviewed to ensure prerequisites are met before final acceptance into the program.

Learn More
Interested students are encouraged to attend one of our upcoming informational sessions:

• February 18 during Flex Time in the MHS Career Center
  MHS students can sign up through FlexiSched to reserve their spot
• February 24 at 6:30 PM in the MHS Library (families are welcome to attend this session as well)

This is more than a class. It is a head start on a meaningful, high-impact career serving others in our community.