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Farmington High outlines career pathways plan; CNA and college-credit courses begin
Summary
High school leaders described a new pathways framework that will add on‑ramps to industry-recognized credentials and college credit. A nursing assistant course in partnership with Dakota County Technical College is running; a business/entrepreneurship capstone is also under way.
Farmington High School leaders presented a new career pathways design that will sequence high school coursework toward employment, college credit and industry-recognized credentials.
Ryan Meyer, principal at Farmington High School, introduced Leah Bhatt, the district’s newly hired pathways coordinator, who told the board the plan is informed by the Bellwether blueprint for sustainable pathways and by local labor-market analysis. “Our job as educators is not to tell students what to do, but to guide them on their path and ultimately embrace the journey that they’ve chosen,” Bhatt said.
Bhatt and Meyer described tentative pathways the district is developing across several industry areas and explained steps to break down departmental silos so course sequences make clear sense to students and families. The district is mapping existing courses into pathway sequences, identifying gaps for possible new classes and looking for industry partners, advisory committees and Perkins funding to support equipment and sustainability.
Two course series were described as already running or rolling out: a nursing assistant (NA/CNA) pathway in partnership with Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) and a DCTC-backed entrepreneurship/marketing capstone. Meyer said the district currently has about 15 students enrolled in the first NA offering, with the NA section capped at 20; he estimated the second-trimester offering will expand capacity. The business entrepreneurship capstone has about 30 students and uses a college syllabus with dual-credit opportunities.
Pathways coordinator Bhatt said the district will emphasize “exposure and exploration” early, then build on-ramps (short credentials and internships) and off-ramps (workforce entry or further education) so students can both test interests and accumulate credentials. She said the roadmap will include industry-aligned advising, work-based learning, internships and opportunities for dual credit and certifications.
Why it matters: District leaders argued that locally available CTE options help keep students engaged and provide direct workforce value for the community — particularly in high-need fields such as health care and skilled trades. Board members and staff discussed the potential to expand trades programming but noted space, staffing and equipment costs will require deliberate investment and outside partnerships.
Meyer and Bhatt asked the board and community partners to help build employer advisories and local partnerships; Meyer said the administration is preparing a “career guide” and concise marketing content so students and families can more easily find pathway options when registering for classes.
