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Franklin High updates program of studies, adds two career pathways and new elective courses
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Summary
The Franklin School Committee approved the 2026–27 Franklin High School program of studies after an hour-long presentation outlining new course proposals, two Innovation Career Pathways in business & finance and health & social assistance, and experiential senior capstones with local partners.
The Franklin School Committee on Jan. 13 approved Franklin High School's 2026—27 program of studies, including two new Innovation Career Pathways that district staff said are intended to connect classroom learning with internships and industry credentials.
District leaders described the pathways as four-course sequences that will culminate in a 100-hour senior internship, externship or capstone project. "We have it in the business and finance sector and also in health and social assistance," said Christine Scaffidi, the high school career counselor, naming early partners including Sturdy Memorial Hospital, MRN Diagnostics and Dean Bank.
The presentation, led by Assistant Superintendent Tina Rogers and high-school administrators, also outlined a slate of new electives: an Art Exploration class that students may take for repeatable credit, a beginner ensemble called Learn to Jam, an honors Earth Science option, semester-long Latin offerings tied to medical and legal vocabulary, and a course called "American History Through Sports." The program alternates low-enrollment electives every other year to preserve options without adding staff, Rogers said.
Administrators emphasized that new courses are subject to student demand and staffing. "Once each grade meets with their guidance counselors, we'll tally selections and run courses based on those tallies," said a district presenter explaining the Aspen scheduling process. The committee heard that honors and CP designations remain classroom-level decisions and that the pathways are open-access: "There isn't an application process. Any student with interest can participate," Scaffidi said.
Committee members asked how the pathways will avoid scheduling conflicts with AP courses and arts offerings; district staff said counselors will work with middle-school students and families earlier in a student's career to reduce future conflicts. Members also asked about recognition for students who complete pathway capstones; staff said they plan to explore graduation designations such as special stoles, pins or seals.
The program-of-studies approval will let incoming ninth graders and their families begin scheduling work and guidance meetings immediately, district staff said, and signals the next step in rolling out the district's new career-connected offerings.
The committee voted by voice to approve the program of studies. The Office of Teaching and Learning plans additional outreach at Panther Pride night and other events to inform families of the new offerings.
