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Berlin board adopts new high school program of studies, adds 10 'career pathways'
Summary
The Berlin Board of Education unanimously approved revisions to the Berlin High School Program of Studies on Dec. 9, adding a 10-pathway career-focused structure, transcript notations for completion, and expanded Early College/dual-credit options and Extended Learning Opportunities.
The Berlin Board of Education voted unanimously on Dec. 9 to adopt a revised Berlin High School Program of Studies that creates a formal career-pathway structure and updates course offerings for the 2025–26 school year.
District presenters described 10 proposed pathways—Business; Design & Engineering; Education; Employable Skills; Environmental Science; Health Science; Public Service & Safety; Skilled Trades; Visual Arts; and a Make-Your-Own pathway—and said each pathway requires roughly three credits (six half-year courses) plus an Extended Learning Opportunity such as an internship, job shadow, or field experience. The pathways are intended to sit alongside, not replace, regular graduation requirements and include opportunities for transcript notation upon completion and celebratory recognition at graduation.
Presenters told the board the pathways are designed to increase access to college credit and industry certifications. The business pathway, for example, would allow students to complete concurrent courses for college credit in partnership with regional colleges; the health-science pathway emphasizes anatomy, physiology and work-based clinical experiences; and the employable-skills pathway is explicitly designed to be inclusive of students in programs such as Rise.
Board members and presenters emphasized flexibility: pathways are opt-in, students may pivot if a pathway does not suit them, and the district plans a phased rollout with grandfathering for current juniors and seniors who already meet pathway criteria. PowerSchool tagging and scheduling preferences were discussed as tools to help students access pathway courses.
The board moved to approve the revisions ("revisions to the Berlin High School program of studies for 2025 and 2026 as presented"), with the motion made by Peter and seconded by Brian. The vote was 8–0 in favor.
District staff said next steps include finalizing course lists, confirming external partnerships (for example, pending agreements with CCSU in some business courses), marketing the pathways to families and middle-school students, and tracking take-up and outcomes during the pilot years. Board members requested continued reporting on enrollment, access for high-need students, and how pathway completion will be recorded and communicated to colleges and employers.
The motion carried; implementation details and partnership approvals were described as ongoing work for the administration.
