Caroline County Public Schools presented a detailed plan for career-focused academies at Caroline High School during the board meeting on Oct. 20, describing a system of three academies — LEADS, STARS and EDGE — designed to prepare students for college, career or military pathways.

The presentation said the academies will offer 16 career pathways aligned to credentials and “durable skills” such as critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Officials said the aim is to ensure every graduate leaves with a clear post‑high‑school plan and the credentials or experiences to pursue it.

The academies include a set of measurable goals the division presented to the board. One top goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism to below 15 percent; the presentation noted the division’s chronic absenteeism was 26.4 percent in 2022–23 and improved to 21.4 percent in 2024–25 after interventions such as a “flex time” schedule. The division also seeks to raise on‑time graduation and to increase Career and Technical Education (CTE) completers and dual‑enrollment participation.

Presenters described several concrete elements: mentor teachers and small learning communities, monthly academy meetings and identity-building activities (T‑shirts, banners) intended to strengthen student belonging; expanded Advanced Placement and dual‑enrollment options; and a universal certificate of general studies (UCGS) with a Germanna Community College partnership slated to begin in 2026–27 and an associate pathway planned for 2027–28.

The board heard enrollment and participation figures: presenters said there are about 100 students currently in “high quality work‑based learning” and 105 students enrolled in JROTC with room for nearly 300; the academies reported 32 active business partners, nine of them added this year. The CTE completer definition used in the presentation is two sequential CTE courses plus passing an industry credential or completing a work‑based learning experience.

Presenters described data and tracking systems to measure outcomes: academy leadership will monitor 3E outcomes (enrolled, enlisted, employed) and report through state performance frameworks; the first full graduating cohort that completes all academy years is expected in May 2027.

Funding and staffing questions came from board members. The presentation said the academies received one additional English teaching FTE this year and a part‑time agriculture teacher to start plant systems. Future budget requests mentioned in discussion included an additional history teacher and staffing to expand pathways such as geographic information systems. Presenters said Perkins federal funding remains in place for CTE; they also cited grants and business partnerships as ongoing resources but noted some future additions will require budget requests.

“We close with our core belief: the future has more than one path, and every path starts here in Caroline,” Melissa Frye, assistant principal for CTE and work‑based learning, told the board as the presentation concluded.

Board members pressed for details on tracking and evaluation, and staff said the leadership team will monitor academy metrics quarterly and incorporate graduate follow‑up surveys required for Perkins funding. Several board members praised the program’s expansion and encouraged continued outreach to business partners and community groups.

The presentation was informational; no final policy or appropriation was approved at the meeting. School leaders said follow‑up budget requests will appear in the FY‑27 process and that the board will receive further updates on enrollment, outcomes and partnership growth.

Ending: Board members and administrators said they will continue to track early metrics, return with budget implications during the FY‑27 budget cycle and report progress to the board as the academies move from rollout toward the first full graduating cohort in 2027.