Concord High expands career pathways; 164 students opt in and career fair draws about 50 employers

Concord High School staff told the Instructional Committee on May 14 that a career-connected learning initiative is growing across the high school: 164 students have opted into one of the school’s pathways, and 13 seniors will receive pathway recognition at senior awards for meeting course and experiential requirements.

Principal Tim Herbert and his staff described a pathways program organized into 16 sector clusters, from agriculture to STEM. Leslie, a staff member who leads pathways work at the high school, said the pathways aim to “help students to see the importance and relevance of each course they take toward a postsecondary goal.” The school tied the pathways program to a pathways career fair held that week that brought about 50 local and regional businesses into the school gym.

School presenters said the career fair included roughly 100 career professionals and attracted heavy student traffic during the 9 a.m.–1 p.m. event. Organizers reported the fair produced concrete follow-ups: 16 businesses offered workplace tours, 32 offered to be guest speakers for classes, 18 offered virtual Q&A sessions or project consulting, 14 offered mentoring or to act as an authentic audience for student work, and 12 volunteers expressed interest in serving on a business advisory board. Presenters said 49–50 businesses participated in the fair and that balloons at some tables indicated employers who were hiring.

The pathways program includes extended learning opportunities (ELOs) as a requirement for pathway recognition. Jessamine Rockwell, the district ELO coordinator, reported she has more than 100 students engaged in ELOs this year; staff said ELOs range from community-service projects to early internships and early college courses. Presenters emphasized that ELOs and work-based learning help students develop professional “soft skills” along with technical experience.

School staff said the pathways initiative is voluntary; the goal is to have every student consider postsecondary plans and to provide meaningful experiences rather than require formal enrollment. Staff reported about 60 juniors are in line to pursue pathway recognition next year. The program links students with an educator mentor who validates portfolios and monitors progress; presenters thanked educators who have taken on that mentoring role.

The high school also reported a new local college partnership. Presenters said New England College is offering Concord High seniors the opportunity to take two free undergraduate courses; school staff said 11 graduates were accepted to New England College this year and that graduates who matriculate there will receive a $10,000 annual tuition reduction for up to four years, applied in addition to other aid, as described by school presenters.

Next steps described to the Instructional Committee include sharing employer contact lists with course facilitators to convert fair connections into field trips, guest presentations and internship opportunities; seeking advisory-board members; continuing pathway introductions in freshman and eighth-grade outreach; and pursuing additional higher-education agreements to expand on-site dual-enrollment options.