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North Panola School District

Student Achievement is our #1 Priority.

Welcome to North Panola Career & Technical Center

 

North Panola Career & Technical

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North Panola Career & Technical 
601 Railroad St.
Como, MS 38619

Phone: (662) 526-5804
Fax: (662) 526-5868

Grades: 9th – 12th
Enrollment: 236 students
Director: Anterior Ballentine
Administrative Assistant: Tina Askew
Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Instruction Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Message from the Director

A professional headshot of a smiling woman with dark hair, wearing a pearl necklace and a black blazer.

Message from the Director

Welcome to the North Panola Career & Technical Center, where we are committed to preparing students for success in college, careers, military service, and life. At NPCTC, we believe every student has unique talents, interests, and potential waiting to be discovered. Our purpose is to provide students with meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world careers while equipping them with the knowledge, technical skills, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing workforce.

Our mission is Enlightening Thinkers, Equipping Leaders, and Empowering Minds. This mission serves as the foundation for everything we do as we prepare students to become productive citizens, skilled professionals, and lifelong learners. Through rigorous instruction, hands-on learning, industry-recognized certifications, work-based learning experiences, Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and partnerships with business and industry, our students gain valuable experiences that prepare them for success beyond graduation.

Career and Technical Education is about more than learning a trade. It is about discovering purpose, developing leadership, solving real-world problems, and building the skills that employers and communities value most. Whether students aspire to enter the workforce immediately after high school, continue their education at a college or technical institution, or serve in the military, our programs are designed to help them achieve their goals with confidence.

At the North Panola Career & Technical Center, we are committed to fostering a culture of excellence where innovation, collaboration, professionalism, and high expectations are at the heart of everything we do. We challenge our students to think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and lead with integrity. By combining academic knowledge with technical training and workplace experiences, we are preparing the next generation of leaders and skilled professionals.

We recognize that student success is strengthened through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, business and industry leaders, postsecondary institutions, and our community. Together, we can provide opportunities that inspire students to dream bigger, work harder, and realize their full potential.

Thank you for visiting the North Panola Career & Technical Center's web page. We are honored to serve the students and families of the North Panola School District and look forward to partnering with you as we continue Building Tomorrow by creating pathways to success through innovation, opportunity, and excellence.

Sincerely,

Anterior Ballentine
Director, Career and Technical Education

North Panola Career & Technical Center 

Career & Technical Center Programs

  • Automotive Service Technology - Year 1
    This course contains an introduction to shop operations, safety, tools and equipment, and preparing the vehicle for both service and the customer. The engine repair course focuses on the overall internal combustion engine, cylinder and valve train, and lubrication and cooling systems. The transmission course is an introduction to both automatic and manual drive train and axles. This course also contains an introduction to electrical/electronic information and terminology including electrical/electronic system theory, battery systems, starting systems, and charging systems. It also contains an introduction to disc brakes, drum brakes, and antilock brakes.

    Automotive Service Technology - Year 2
    This course contains a review on shop operations, safety, tools and equipment, and preparing the vehicle for both service and the customer. It also contains information on lighting systems, concepts of gauges, warning devices, driver information systems, horn system, wiper/washer system, and accessories system diagnostic repair. An Engine Performance and Steering and Suspension component contains information on fuel, air induction, and exhaust systems; concepts of emission control system; concepts of engine service; general suspension/steering theory; steering system inspection, diagnosis, and repair; concepts of front, rear, and miscellaneous systems; and wheel/tire alignment concepts. The Automotive Heating and Air information is for service and maintenance to the heating, ventilation, and engine cooling system.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in Math (last course taken or the instructor can specifies the math)
    • No more than two discipline referrals (the previous year)
    • 90% attendance rate (the previous year) OR
    • Instructor approval 
  • Business, Marketing, and Finance - Year 1
    This year-long course covers the fundamentals of business and marketing. It begins with the basics of workplace safety, ethics, and leadership. Students are introduced to business finance, economics, and cover microeconomics as well. Major topics of study in this course are career readiness, foundations of marketing, market research and analysis, and entrepreneurship. Students will learn valuable lessons to enhance their personal financial life with topics on income, decision-making and personal money management. Various student organizations and resources for career development will be explored throughout the course. Participation in student organizations, field experiences, internships, and job shadowing is ongoing. Students will continue to develop skills toward meeting requirements for the ESB credential.

    Business, Marketing, and Finance - Year 2
    This year-long course covers the fundamentals of business and marketing. It begins with the basics of workplace safety, ethics, and leadership. Students are introduced to business finance, economics, and cover microeconomics as well. Major topics of study in this course are career readiness, foundations of marketing, market research and analysis, and entrepreneurship. Students will learn valuable lessons to enhance their personal financial life with topics on income, decision - making, and personal money management. Various student organizations and resources for career development will be explored throughout the course. Participation in student organizations, field experiences, internships, and job shadowing is ongoing. Students will continue to develop skills toward meeting requirements for the ESB credential.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in high-school level math (last course taken or instructor specifies math) OR
    • Instructor approval 
  • Construction Core: Carpentry - Year 1
    The Construction course introduces students to fundamentals of construction safety, tools, math, and blueprint reading, as well as basic carpentry, electrical, masonry, and plumbing skills.

    Carpentry - Year 2
    The Carpentry course consists of an in-depth study of basic safety, construction math, materials, wall, ceiling, and roof framing; windows and doors; and construction essentials. The one-Carnegie-unit course should only be taken after students successfully pass Construction Core.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in Math (last course taken or the instructor can specify the math) OR
    • Instructor approval 
  • Digital Media Technology 1
    Digital Media Technology 1 encompasses the foundational skills necessary in the digital media industry. Content such as safety, ethical issues and production, photography, graphic design, and print production will be offered to students. The audio production portion of the course emphasizes real-world, hands-on practice. Students will receive two Carnegie units upon completion of the course.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in Math (last course taken or the instructor can specify the math)
    • Instructor Approval and TABE Reading Score (eighth grade or higher)
    •  
  • Health Science Core - Year 1
    The Health Sciences (Core) course introduces students to the theory and practical applications of tasks related to employment in the field of health science. Students will cover topics such as safety in the workplace, infection control, health care systems, and the vital organs of the human body. The course offers insight into careers in health care as well as educational requirements and the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities involved.

    Health Care and Clinical Services - Year 2
    Health Care and Clinical Services course helps the student establish insight in the Health Care field. Students will be exposed to the theory and applied tasks related to careers within health care. This course covers topics such as human growth and development, health informatics, information technology, and therapeutic and rehabilitative services. Other topics include medical and emergency services, mental health, and pharmacological and nursing services.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in Math (last course taken or the instructor can specifies the math) OR
    • Instructor approval
    •   It is strongly recommended that students complete health science core with a grade of C or higher to advance to Health Care and Clinical Services.
  • Information Technology - Year 2
    This course teaches the basic concepts of networking, network operating systems, networking types, standards, and how data is encoded and transmitted. This course is designed to prepare students for the Microsoft Technology Associate: Networking Fundamentals Certification Exam.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in pre-algebra OR
    • Instructor approval 
  • Law & Public Safety - Year 1
    This course focuses on the history of law and legal systems in the United States. Students will leave the class with a firm foundation of knowledge in these areas. Additionally, students will learn the importance of personal health and safety in the work environments associated with law and public safety. Students will also be introduced to the emergency services found in local communities. Additionally, students will focus on corrections in the state of Mississippi, studying specifically how jails and prisons function.

    Law & Public Safety - Year 2
    This course focuses on specialized areas and topics within the law and public safety arena. Students will learn about these particular areas and examine the daily tasks and responsibilities of the professionals associated with them. The course will offer students the opportunity to examine all areas of the military and the professions associated with each. Additionally, students will learn about emergency management and workplace skills and will have meaningful, relevant job-shadowing experiences with professionals.

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • Instructor approval 
  • Teacher Academy - Year 1
    Teacher Academy I is an entry-level course. Students gain foundation competencies related to students as learners, planning and assessing teaching, teaching strategies, and communication skills. Students receive hands-on field experiences (two Carnegie units).

    Information Technology - Year 2
    Teacher Academy II provides students with the opportunity to gain advanced skills needed to enhance them as learners, teachers, and communicators. Students receive advanced hands-on field experiences (two Carnegie units).

    Program Entrance Prerequisites:

    • C or higher in English (the previous year)
    • C or higher in Math (last course taken or the instructor can specify the math)
    • No more than two discipline referrals (the previous year) OR
    • Instructor approval 
  • Work-Based Learning
    The WBL course gives Mississippi high school students the opportunity to earn academic credit for their authentic work experiences. To receive credit, students must be enrolled in a WBL course and meet all course requirements. Students do not have to be enrolled in a CTE program to enroll in this course.
    Two course codes have been approved to give students the opportunity to enroll in a WBL credit-bearing course for multiple semesters. 

    College and Career Readiness Credit
    Students enrolled in this course during their 11th and 12th grade years can substitute one WBL credit for the College and Career Readiness (CCR) credit required for graduation. 

    Career and Technical Diploma Endorsement
    Credit earned in this course satisfies the WBL requirement option for the Career and Technical Diploma endorsement. 

     

     

Middle School Career and Technical Courses

  • An innovative instructional program that prepares students to effectively use technology in learning, communication, and life and introduces them to the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills used in computing which is impacting every career field. Students in Cyber Foundations I complete study in interpersonal and self-directional skills, basic technology operation and technology concepts, ethical issues in technology, keyboarding, technology communication tools, technology resource tools, multimedia presentation applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, problem solving, web development, and block-based programming.

  • An innovative instructional program that prepares students to effectively use technology in learning, communication, and life and introduces them to the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills used in computing and that impact every career field. Students in cyber foundations II complete studies in interpersonal and self-directional skills, basic technology operation and technology concepts, ethical issues in technology, technology communication tools, lab management and networking, database applications, graphic design applications, and career preparation. 

  • A one-semester high school course (offering .5 Carnegie units of credit), which includes classroom and hands-on experiences that help students acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for making healthy decisions, achieving health literacy, adopting health-enhancing behaviors, and promoting the health of others. In this course of study, emphasis is placed on personal, social, and mental health in today’s society. It includes instruction on human growth and development, disease prevention and control, substance abuse and prevention, community and environmental health, nutrition and wellness, and safety and first aid. Students will receive instruction that is clearly relevant to today’s rapidly changing world.  Classes and projects will be designed to spark student interest and enthusiastic participation as well as provide a rationale for content relevancy, thus enabling students to connect what they learn in school to other aspects of their lives, including their futures.

Meet the Team

Support
Tina Askew – Administrative Assistant
Andrea Buck – Counselor
Teachers
Ralanda Smith – Student Service Coordinator
Shardae Smith Bryson – Cyber Foundations I (6th Grade)
Deborah Hibbler – Work Base Learning
Jacqueline Jones – Business, Marketing, Finance
Nisa Johnson - Educator Prep
Vonkeitrick Reed – Construction
Pamela Morgan – Contemporary Health
Vivian Reed- Burdette – Health Science I
Brenda Sanders – Cyber Foundations II (7th Grade)
Ericka Taylor – Information Technology
Bonita Davis – Law and Public Safety
Daphne Fondren – Automotive Technology

Contact Us

Address: 601 Railroad Street Como, MS 38619
Contact Information: Phone:  662-526-5804     Fax:   662-526-5868

Upcoming Events

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  • School Hours:

    Doors Open 7:30 AM

    First Bell 8:00 AM

    Dismissal 3:00 PM

    2-Hour Delay

    Doors Open 9:30 AM

    First Bell 10:00 AM

    Dismissal 3:00 PM

    Early Dismissal/ Half Day

    Doors Open 7:30 AM

    First Bell 8:00 AM

    Dismissal 12:30

  • Form One

    Form Two

    Form Three

    Form Four

    Form Five

  • ParentSquare

    All schools in our district use ParentSquare for school communication primarily with email, text, and app notifications.

    ParentSquare automatically syncs with our student information system to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

    ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home. Learn more and get started today by viewing our ParentSquare web page. [UPDATE LINK]

  • Volunteering at School:

    • Classroom assistance: Help with activities, read to students, or assist with projects.
    • School events: Volunteer at events like book fairs, fundraisers, or school dances.
    • Library support: Help with shelving books or reading to students.
    • Field trips: Accompany classes on educational outings.
       

    Participating in School Organizations:

    • Parent-Teacher Association (PTA): Attend meetings, participate in fundraising, and support school initiatives.
    • School Site Council: Participate in decision-making processes. Requires a monthly time commitment for attending the council meeting.

Enroll Today!

Enrollment is now open for all students!

 

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