The Topeka Center for Advanced Learning & Careers (TCALC) is a vocational school available to all TPS 501 students. TCALC offers 13 pathways for students to select from, including Sports Medicine, Teaching and Training, and Media Design and Communications. All programs last for two years, beginning in junior year.
The Sports Medicine pathway was designed to introduce students to a branch of medicine focused on the prevention of and rehabilitation from injuries. Many students enjoy the camaraderie found in the pathway, such as junior Ethan Michael.
“I like how even though we all go to different schools, we’re all kind of friends,” Michael said. “No one has problems with anybody.”
The Business Management and Entrepreneurship pathway allows students to explore careers in management, finance and marketing. Students have many hands-on work experiences from tours, job shadowing and volunteering. Business students had the opportunity to volunteer for Harvesters Community Food Network on Nov. 12. Business instructor Amy O’Connor believes volunteering provided students with many skills that would help them in their futures.
“Volunteering at local community events builds professional, transferable skills and provides networking opportunities to help students make connections in the community, which can help with future career endeavors,” O’Connor said.
The Teaching and Training pathway provides the opportunity for second-year students to shadow teachers at various elementary schools and grade levels, depending on student preference. Senior Corneice Penny shadows at Lowman Hill as a preschool and first-grade assistant teacher. One of Penny’s favorite things about her internship was learning and growing with her students, but she would also miss them when she graduates.
“It’s really cool to see how they change over time,” Penny said. “You basically grow up with them… I don’t want to leave my kids.”
The Media Design and Communications pathway allows students to explore many aspects of digital media, including animation, graphic art, video production, and web design. Students had the opportunity to visit the KSNT station on Nov. 12, 2025. Students spoke with multiple journalists and got a tour of some of the behind-the-scenes workings of the news station. Junior Sam Stanton found learning about the inner workings of KSNT to be interesting.
“I didn’t realize there were so many parts that go into even a small news station,” Stanton said. “It was cool watching them moving around and getting so many stories from all over the state.”
The Animal Science pathway gives students the opportunity to explore the animal care industry firsthand through field trips, practicing skills on real animals and participating in internships for second-year students.
One senior, Catherine Falk, works as an intern at Kansas State University’s “Wellness on Wheels” (WOW) outreach program, which serves pet owners’ medical needs for them and their animals. Falk spends most of her time at WOW giving vaccines to animals in need. Falk said interacting with pets and their owners was “one of the best” aspects of her internship. However, the most challenging part was seeing the financial difficulties many people faced in accessing quality, affordable veterinary care for their pets.
“Everything is more expensive nowadays, and veterinary care is no different,” Falk said. “It’s similar to the medicine that humans receive in that way. I think on that front, it generally makes it less accessible to most people, and especially anyone struggling financially.”
Sophomores and juniors interested in attending TCALC next school year should talk to their counselors to learn more.