Davis H. Hart Career Center – Mexico, Missouri

Overview of Davis H. Hart Career Center

The Davis H. Hart Career Center (commonly referred to as Hart Career Center) is a public career and technical education institution located at 905 North Wade, Mexico, Missouri 65265. It primarily serves secondary (high school) students from nine sending school districts in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Monroe, and Montgomery counties, providing hands-on training for entry-level career skills, industry certifications, dual credit opportunities, and preparation for postsecondary education or employment. The center also offers limited post-secondary (adult) programs, with Cosmetology being the primary adult-focused offering.

The provided document appears to be an older Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approval or directory entry for the center. It lists Mr. Chris Denham as Director (note: current leadership details are not specified on the website), contact information (phone: 573-581-5684), and notes on sending districts for adult support services (e.g., guidance/placement and financial assistance). It highlights secondary programs allowing adult co-enrollment for 1- or 2-year certificates in Construction Trades (CIP 46.0000) and Welding Technology (CIP 48.0508), and refers to a fuller list of approved 500+ contact hour adult career education programs starting on page 62 (likely in a larger statewide document).

Current information (based on the center’s official website at hartcareercenter.org and the 2024-2025 course catalog) shows a focus on secondary students, with programs delivered in 1-hour or 3-hour daily blocks. Adult/post-secondary enrollment is explicitly detailed for Cosmetology and may be possible in select others on a case-by-case basis.

Key Programs Offered

1. Agriculture Education

A comprehensive program with multiple pathways, emphasizing hands-on projects, leadership (via FFA), and career preparation in agribusiness, animal science, and related fields.

Courses include: Agriculture Science I/II, Agricultural Construction I/II, Greenhouse, Horticulture, Food Science, Wildlife and Conservation, Agriculture Communication/Leadership, Crop Science, Agribusiness Management, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Co-op.
Duration: Mostly year-long (1 credit); some semester (0.5 credit).
Levels: Grades 9-12, with prerequisites for advanced courses.
Certifications: 10-hour OSHA in introductory courses.
Adult Access: Not explicitly mentioned; primarily secondary.

2. Computer Science and Programming

Focuses on coding, game development, and emerging tech.

Courses include: AP Computer Science Principles, Programming I (C#), Programming II (Python), Video Game Design I/II, Robotics, VR/AR, Esports: Beyond the Game I-III, Capstone.
Duration: Year-long (1 credit).
Prerequisites: Algebra I (C or better); advanced courses require prior completion.
Certifications: IT Specialist-Software Development, Programming Essentials Python.
Dual Credit: Available in Programming I (up to 6 hours from State Technical College of Missouri).
Adult Access: Primarily secondary.

3. Information Technology / Cybersecurity

Hands-on training in hardware, networking, and security.

Courses: IT Fundamentals (1-hour block), Computer and Network Support (2-hour), Networks & Cybersecurity (3-hour).
Duration: Year-long.
Prerequisites: Algebra I; higher averages for advanced.
Certifications: TestOut PC Pro, CompTIA A+ preparation/opportunity.
Adult Access: Primarily secondary (grades 10-12).

4. Construction Technology

Prepares students for construction trades with planning, safety, and hands-on building.

Courses: Introduction to Construction (1-hour), Construction Technology I/II (3-hour each).
Duration: Year-long.
Prerequisites: None for intro; OSHA 10 for advanced.
Certifications: OSHA 10-Hour Safety, potential Carpenter Union credential.
Involvement: SkillsUSA.
Adult Access: Aligns with the older document’s note on adult enrollment for certificates; possible co-enrollment.

5. Welding Technology

Industrial welding techniques with progressive skill-building.

Courses: Introduction to Welding (1-hour), Welding Technology I/II (3-hour each).
Duration: Year-long.
Skills: Safety, blueprint reading, stick/MIG/TIG, oxy-fuel/plasma/carbon arc cutting, AWS code welding.
Certifications: American Welding Society (AWS) welding certification opportunity.
Involvement: SkillsUSA, American Welding Society.
Adult Access: Matches the older document’s emphasis on adult enrollment for certificates; likely available.

6. Cosmetology

The most explicit adult/post-secondary program; prepares for state licensing.

High School Track: 2 years (junior/senior, half-day AM/PM sessions), tuition covered by sending school.
Post-Secondary/Adult Track: 1 year (full-day, 8:00 AM–3:15 PM), 1,220 clock hours.
Tuition (Adult): $5,100 total ($2,550 per semester) + ~$700 tool kit + uniforms.
Requirements (Adult): Age 17+, high school diploma/GED, application, interview, background check, fees.
Certifications: Qualifies for Missouri Cosmetology State License Exam.
Adult Access: Fully available; post-high school focus.

7. Other Confirmed Programs

Teaching Professions: Designed for students interested in education; includes passion for helping others learn (details limited on site).
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering: Biomedical or engineering pathways (mentioned via associated pages/social media).
Potential additional areas (inferred from general descriptions): Health services, automotive, or other technical fields, though not detailed in available sources.

Enrollment and General Notes

Secondary Students: Apply through home high school counselor; transportation often provided.
Adult/Post-Secondary: Contact student services (573-581-5684) or use specific applications (e.g., for Cosmetology). No financial aid currently offered, but A+ reimbursement possible.
Emphasis: Safety, industry certifications, dual credit, SkillsUSA/FFA participation, and real-world projects.
Sending Districts: Aligns with the document (e.g., Mexico 59, Community R-VI, Van-Far R-I, Centralia R-VI, etc.).

For the most up-to-date details (as of 2026), visit hartcareercenter.org or contact the center directly, as programs may evolve from older DESE documents

No, the Davis H. Hart Career Center does not use the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) curriculum in its Construction Technology program.

Their official website and 2024-2025 course catalog describe the program as focusing on hands-on training in construction processes, project planning, management, safety, basic math for bids/estimates, and teamwork/professionalism. Key certifications include:

OSHA 10-Hour Safety
Potential Carpenter Union credentials

There is no mention of NCCER standardized modules, core curriculum, or related assessments anywhere in the program details, course descriptions, or catalog.

If you’re comparing programs or looking for NCCER-specific training, many other institutions (especially community colleges or dedicated trade schools) explicitly adopt it, but Hart Career Center appears to use a custom or state-aligned curriculum instead. For the latest confirmation, you could contact them directly at (573) 581-5684.