Musselman High School has earned a place among the top five high schools in West Virginia for its outstanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) program– a recognition that reflects years of dedication, innovation, and student success. This honor, awarded by the West Virginia Department of Education in 2025, highlights Musselman’s commitment to preparing students for real-world careers through hands-on learning, workplace experience, and student initiatives.
This recognition is especially significant given the scale of the competition– 114 high schools across the state were evaluated based on seven key indicators including student participation, concentration, completion rates, work-based learning opportunities, NOCTI passage rates, and teacher endorsement rates. Musselman’s performance across these areas demonstrates a school-wide commitment to excellence and career readiness.
Mrs. Price expressed her excitement when she learned about MuHS’s top-five ranking.
“We have a great group of CTE teachers and students at Musselman who are very dedicated to their different programs,” she said. “I think it was a combination of hard work in all the programs that came together and made us place in the top 5.”
At the heart of the school’s CTE classes is the robust dc-op program, which allows students to gain valuable job experience while still in high school.
Mrs. Kasandra Price, the Career Training and Work Skills (co-op) teacher at Musselman, believes the program plays a major role in the school’s achievement.
“I think that Musselman has a large co-op program with 100 plus students typically,” she shared. “This is a large contribution to the program. A large portion of the CTE Workplace Simulation hours come from students working the program and all the hours they are working in real job situations.”
Another shining example of Musselman’s hands-on approach to career education is The Sweet Apple Café, the school’s student-run bakery.
While the students are guided by their teacher, Mrs. Rachel Nauman, it is operated by students in the culinary arts program. The café serves as a real-world learning lab where students manage everything from baking and food prep to customer service and business operations. This unique experience not only builds technical skills but also fosters teamwork, time management, and entrepreneurship. The Sweet Apple Café reflects the heart of Musselman’s CTE philosophy—empowering students to learn by doing and preparing them for success beyond the classroom.
Mrs. Nauman made an announcement to each of her classes and stated how proud of her students she was: “I know this class can be stressful at times but I’m very proud of you guys and appreciate all of your hard work. You guys really have done an amazing job and I’m just so so proud of you all.”
For students considering their future, Musselman’s Career Training and Education program offers a powerful alternative to traditional college pathways. With chances to earn certifications, gain job experience, and explore careers before graduation, students are empowered to pursue their passions with purpose.
As Musselman High School continues to lead in CTE innovation, its students, teachers, and community can take pride in a program that’s not only shaping futures–but setting a statewide example of what career education can achieve.
