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Hull High expands business pathway, launches storefront and boosts dual-enrollment offerings
Summary
Principal Shaw told the April 13 school committee that Hull High’s new business pathway has strong student interest, features a student-run storefront (HK Customs) and will add a financial literacy course; the district also secured grant funding to cover dual-enrollment costs for eligible students.
Principal Shaw presented a broad update on Hull High School at the April 13 meeting, describing a successful inaugural year for a new business pathway, the launch of a student-run storefront and expansion of dual-enrollment opportunities.
"The pathway is thriving, has had a highly successful inaugural year with strong student engagement and enthusiasm," Principal Shaw said. He described the pathway components: an eighth-grade career-exploration rotation with roughly 40 students this year; an Introduction to Business course that enrolled 36 students across grades 9–12, with 23 moving into a second-semester, application-focused course; and plans to add a more advanced financial literacy and economics course requested by about 18 students.
Shaw highlighted a student-created storefront called HK Customs—students design prints and sell sweatshirts, tote bags and other items, and have begun to serve outside customers. The storefront is part of an applied-learning sequence that the principal said builds entrepreneurial skills, problem solving and real-world experience.
On postsecondary opportunities, Shaw said the high school offered three dual-enrollment courses this year (pre-calculus, calculus and forensic science) through a partnership with Quinsey College. He said the usual cost for a three-credit course is $300, but “this year we've secured some grant funding to support the growth of the dual enrollment program and we will be able to cover all of the costs for all of the eligible students participating this spring in those three courses.” The district will continue the Quinsey relationship and is exploring additional partners such as Bridgewater State University to expand offerings.
Shaw also previewed near-term student events and milestones: a ThinkFast safe-driving program sponsored by the Massachusetts State Police on April 29; a neighborhood cleanup with student groups on April 18; a spring concert on May 12; the drama production in early May; prom at Granite Links in Quinsey in late May; and graduation for 56 students on June 6.
Committee members asked who will be the point of contact for dual-enrollment as the program grows; Shaw said he currently brokers partnerships and expects guidance counselors to take on day-to-day support as the program scales. Committee members urged attention to staffing and potential future expenses if the district pursues a formal early-college model.
Shaw framed the expansion as both a curricular and accountability opportunity: increased dual-enrollment participation will be reflected in high-school indicators and could strengthen pathways to college credit for students.
What’s next The district will rerun the eighth-grade career-exploration rotation next year, continue the Introduction to Business sequence and add the planned financial literacy course if demand holds; staff will pursue additional college partners and use grant funding to reduce costs for eligible students.
