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Mendon-Upton school committee hears expansion of Innovation Career Pathways, students seek internships
Summary
District staff described new Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) at Nipmuc — adding environmental science and healthcare — and outlined industry credentials, a required senior 100‑hour internship or capstone, and partnerships to place students for real‑world experiences.
District staff and program leaders told the Mendon‑Upton Regional School District School Committee that the district’s Innovation Career Pathways are expanding and maturing, with two new pathways added this year and a push to build internship and dual‑enrollment opportunities.
Brian Roby, director of learning innovation, and Tara Bennett, career community and innovations coordinator, described ICP as a set of pathway programs that combine technical coursework, advanced classes and ‘‘authentic’’ experiences. Staff said the district now offers five ICP programs (informational technology/computer science, marketing, finance, environmental science and healthcare), industry‑aligned credentials such as Microsoft Office and Google marketing certificates, and a senior‑year requirement of a 100‑hour internship or a capstone project.
Students are already participating: Roby and Bennett reported about 40 ICP students currently enrolled across pathways, with roughly 10 in finance and 10 in marketing in the Business & Finance pathway, 13 in healthcare and about six in information technology. The district noted long‑term aims including dual‑enrollment agreements (staff cited Sigma Community College as a potential partner) and off‑site experiences such as a planned Cyber range visit at Bridgewater State.
Student Will Lahar, a sophomore in the Business & Finance pathway, described why he joined: "I'm looking forward to the 100 hour internship so I can really learn and see if, like, if I really wanna be in business or if I wanna try something else," he said. Program leaders said that internships and capstones give students a way to test career paths before postsecondary commitments.
Staff highlighted community partnerships already supporting pathways — local employers, Upton police and fire for career‑shadow opportunities, and the Upton Lakes, Ponds & Streams group for the environmental pathway — and asked community members to share industry contacts to expand placements, especially for healthcare where HIPAA and clinical capacity limit placements.
The committee discussed how ICP aligns with AP and advanced coursework. Program staff said each pathway includes two technical courses and two advanced classes (AP or Project Lead The Way), and they emphasized supports for students taking a first AP course through the program.
The presentation closed with administrators noting the ICP program is in its third year, that some pathway registration and scheduling challenges remain, and that staff will return with additional details as dual‑enrollment agreements and credentialing options are finalized.
