Rifle High School’s Vocational Education Department brings a variety of opportunities for students to learn valuable life skills and further their education. The department includes agriculture, auto mechanics, drafting, business/computer, consumer and family studies, and marketing classes.

Re-2 Vo-Tech classroom teachers are licensed teachers in their content area through the state of Colorado and each also holds a vocational license, which requires five years work experience, additional class work, and successful completion of a content exam. This certification is maintained through professional development work and ensures each teacher is highly qualified.

The Vo-Tech Department’s standards integrate reading, writing and math. Each content area’s programs align with the district’s Working On the Work guidelines, which are designed to engage students in the highest quality of learning.

Advisory boards for each area provide direction and assist the students to succeed in the classroom as well as in the workplace.

Each area in the department has a student leadership organization supporting the program while providing the students an opportunity to develop leadership skills through community service projects, workshops and conferences, and participation in competitive events.

Supporting the Re-2 Agriculture classes, the Rifle FFA chapter is the largest chapter in Colorado and had six state proficiency winners last year. Twenty-two of its members attended the National FFA Convention. Students attend Leadership conferences year-round, including the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Rifle Skills USA-VICA club advances the auto mechanical and drafting skills of Re-2 Auto Mechanics and Drafting students. VICA team members attend district, state, and national conferences.

Many students in RHS business and computer classes are also members of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and they compete by attending district, state and national conferences. FBLA is an organization that provides opportunities for students to develop their business competencies, self-confidence and personal responsibility. Three FBLA students qualified for national competition last year, and RHS Senior Zack Akin placed fourth in the National Business Leader competition.

Consumer and Family Studies students may join FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) to create more opportunities in this area of interest. The FCCLA members distributed close to 200 Valentine cards to Rifle nursing and assisted living homes last school year. Members attended District and State Conferences, and two students completed Power of One – A National Program of Work.

DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) is the companion student organization for the RHS marketing education program. Students explore such topics as marketing, entrepreneurship, economics, e-commerce, international business, ethics, and management. This year, 46 DECA members participate in civic consciousness projects, compete in business competitions, and help run the student store.

Students participate in civic consciousness projects that better the community and compete in regional, state and national competitions based on business interest sparked in class. DECA students are hosting a free Halloween Carnival at Highlands Elementary on Oct. 30.