CHESHIRE, Mass. — Freshman Leah Brown has dreamed of being a pediatric nurse. Senior David Scholz took advantage of college dual enrollment courses for programming. Senior Wes Emerson thought he wanted to be a farmer but now he's going to Norwich University to study environmental sustainability or environmental science.

 

Senior Dot Stevens didn't know what she wanted to do and didn't feel like she "really fit" until finding her way to the arts and entertainment pathway. 

 

"This has really helped me through like my own experiences," she said. "I'm very fortunate to be presented with these experiences and being able just to do that."

 

The students were giving testimony to the opportunities they've found through Hoosac Valley High School's Innovation Pathways to the classes that will follow them. The "signing day" gathering in the auditorium on Tuesday was as much a pep rally for pathways as an affirmation of the high school's focus on guiding students to fulfilling careers. 

 

Raucous cheers filled the air as each group of students in Grades 8 and 9 marched across the stage as the pathway they'd chosen was called out. Superintendent Aaron Dean handed each one a water bottle bearing the logo of their chosen pathway. 

 

School officials were encouraged by the enthusiasm of the students and the attendance by parents.   

 

"It's an excellent sign I have to tell you, we've really done a lot of work by listening to the students and talking to the students about what they're interested in," said Principal Colleen Byrd. "And I think, I really think that's what's — I know that's what's driving this process for us."

 

Hoosac Valley was one of three Berkshire high schools — with Mount Everett  and Monument Mountain Regional — selected by the state Department of Education to be designated as Innovation Career Pathway schools last spring. 

 

Hoosac had begun implementing the program over the past few years; this coming fall will be the official start of a four-year cohort in arts and entertainment; biomedical science and health care; business and entrepreneurship; education; engineering and technology; environmental studies; and sports medicine and health and wellness.

 

Pathways are designed to provide students with coursework and experiences such as internships to prepare them to enter their field of interest after graduation or to continue on to a higher degree. The goals are to produce lifelong learners, critical thinkers and global citizens. Many of the courses overlap in the pathways (or are required for graduation) so students who may change their minds partway through high school should have credits that can be transferred.

 

"The neat thing is students can get different certifications through the programs like the EMT, they get internship opportunities to try different things, but they can also take the advanced course work and get some college courses," said Dean. "We have somebody graduating this year that did a dual enrollment at Williams [College]. We have the ability to really tailor it toward what the student was looking for."

 

The size of the school makes it easier for teachers to craft courses that will cross over pathways, such as an English teacher coming up with a technical writing course, he said. 

 

"I think in a lot of ways it's, unfortunately, it's been a well kept secret here," Dean said. "We have a lots of opportunities for dual enrollments, for these internships. We've been working with local businesses to try to build more internships and more capacity."

 

Byrd said by the time students are juniors and seniors, they'll be doing internships and work studies off campus. "They're really in the field and getting the hands on experience," she said.

 

"We have students who are just trying a lot of different things. And that's really what it's all about. I mean, you hear talk about kids don't really know what they want to do in the future," she said. "The beauty of this is that they can try different things to really see what they are interested in."

 

Brown, Eva and Emma Akroman and Dana Brassard spoke about their decision to take the biomedical sciences and health care pathway.

 

"I'm excited to be a part of this pathway because nursing is what I really want to go into. I've always wanted to go into the medical field and want to help people and if I get this opportunity to pursue this career, I consider that a privilege," Eva Akroman said. "I'm most excited to begin my future to help those in need and give back. 

 

"These pathways are a great way to figure out what you want to do in the future and if it's meant for you."