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Rockford High details 'Launch Your Future' career pathways; district aims to offer college credit and certifications in-house
Summary
Rockford High School presented its Launch Your Future program to the Rockford school board, describing IB-aligned career pathways that aim to give every student the opportunity to earn college credit or career certification before graduation. Administration reported 15 live pathways and a plan to track students in Infinite Campus.
Rockford High School officials told the Rockford Board of Education on March 16 that the school's Launch Your Future initiative pairs the International Baccalaureate career-related program with Minnesota career-cluster standards so students can graduate with college credit or career certification.
Principal Paul Manard said the program is designed so "every student in this school" has an opportunity to leave high school with postsecondary credits or credentials. "I have personally changed the way that we say college and career ready and I say everybody is employment ready whatever job that is and however much post-secondary training you need," Manard said.
The presentation, led by Manard and IB coordinator Jill Gordy, described short career pathways aligned to IB and Minnesota Department of Labor and Education clusters. Manard said there are roughly 15 live pathways now, with capacity to add about six more, and that some students can earn the equivalent of more than 40 college credits through a mix of dual-enrollment, IB exam opportunity and industry certifications. The board viewed a short video in which students described concrete outcomes, including a student who said she earned a CNA license and now works in a nursing home.
Student testimonials emphasized hands-on learning and skill-building. One student said the CNA course was "challenging" but gave practical patient-care skills and career exposure; another said welding and advanced woods classes led to OSHA certification opportunities. Jill Gordy explained that students who formally enroll in an IB career pathway are flagged in Infinite Campus so counselors and teachers can build academic plans and track progress toward pathway requirements.
Board members praised the work and asked about tracking and visibility. Manard said student services has already begun flagging pathway participation in Infinite Campus and building academic planners that list appropriate electives and diploma-course requirements. The district also reported hosting outside visitors from other districts to learn from Rockford's in-house pathway model.
The administration said next steps include continuing pathway enrollment tracking, adding pathways where capacity allows, and maintaining communication with families about credentialing and college-credit options. The board did not take any formal votes on the presentation.
