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District outlines expanded CTE pathways, new STARS partnerships and counselor recognition
Summary
Napa Valley Unified presented a broad college-and-career readiness progress report describing expanded career technical education pathways (including upcoming viticulture and health‑science courses), work‑based learning and a larger STARS advising program; the board publicly recognized high‑school counselors for the work.
The Napa Valley Unified School District on April 28 detailed progress on college and career readiness initiatives, highlighting expanded career technical education (CTE) pathways, new industry partnerships and a stronger college‑advising infrastructure.
Danielle Molinari, the district’s college and career readiness coordinator, told trustees the district is expanding CTE options that allow students to "earn industry aligned certificates and college credit" while taking UC A–G–eligible courses. She cited recent SkillsUSA contest results and said Vintage High will offer a new viticulture pathway next year while American Canyon High is launching a health‑science pathway.
The presentation stressed work‑based learning and a new platform (SchoolLinks) to connect more than 500 local industry partners with students for internships, job shadows and volunteer opportunities. Molinari said that work‑based learning includes elementary career days, high‑school internship rotations and a new Valley Oak internship program where students do five‑ to six‑week rotations with local employers, including district departments.
Kelly Watkins, the district’s college and career readiness counselor, outlined a district rollout of ARIES academic planning and the CCGI platform used to track college applications, financial aid and outreach. She said the tools let counselors identify students who had not submitted CSU or UC applications and target interventions: "We were able to pull the data ... and say, 'Your application's not done. You have 10 days to submit. How can I help you?'" The district reported high FAFSA completion rates for several schools — cited figures ranged from the low 80s to the mid‑90s percent at specific sites.
Trustees and Dr. Metti praised the STARS college network partnership and the counseling teams; the board presented certificates to high‑school counselors and recognized their role in raising college‑application and FAFSA completion rates. Several trustees described the honors as recognition of counselors’ day‑to‑day work supporting students' postsecondary planning.
The presentation included an update on the new Vintage High agricultural and culinary innovation center (recently ribbon‑cut), which district staff said will support hands‑on curriculum tied to the new CTE pathways.
What happens next: District staff said they will continue expanding pathway offerings, deepen industry advisory work, finalize course objectives and continue training counselors on the new platforms so students receive coordinated four‑year plans and stronger, data‑driven college and career supports.
