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Date: 6/20/2023
HADLEY — Students at Hopkins Academy may soon have increased access to an educational development program already known to dozens of Massachusetts schools and soon coming to Amherst-Pelham Regional High School.
At the June 12 meeting of the School Committee, Superintendent Anne McKenzie outlined the plans for an expansion of Innovation Pathways at the grade 7-12 campus.
A Computer Sciences and Information Sciences pathway is now planned with a full request for designation to be submitted in the fall. The program requires approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“We were also invited to apply for the clean energy pathway, that was by invitation only, so I submitted that planning grant just recently,” McKenzie informed the committee.
McKenzie explained the pursuit is a three-stage process for ultimate approval.
As outlined on the school’s website, the optional program offers a sequential array of courses in a specific field, combined with internship and career immersion opportunities and access to relevant college coursework and research.
The curriculum, described as supportive, is also offered distinct from previous academic performance.
At present Hopkins Academy offers two Pathways programs in disciplines covering Business and Finance as well as Life and Environmental Science. Both schedules provide the chance for students to earn college credits in industry-recognized credentials in certificate and degree programs.
Amherst-Pelham’s initial launch of Innovation Pathways is expected this coming fall.
McKenzie also announced that she had been accepted as a member of the Massachusetts Education-to-Career Research and Advisory Council on behalf of Hadley Public Schools, now one of only three K-12 public school districts with representation on the board.
“The board works on providing input and feedback on specific education and workforce data and research projects” McKenzie said, calling it an advantage for the district
Following a meeting with new leadership at Greenfield Community College, McKenzie detailed the potential for additional grant opportunities involving a proposed public safety academy for students interested in potential career paths in the field.
Additional agenda discussions for further review covered at the meeting included a first reading of the district’s threat assessment and cell phone policies before the committee entered into executive session.