This month, Atlantis Charter School received a $49,500 Innovation Pathway Implementation Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that will be used to expand partnerships with local industry and higher education institutions to increase opportunities for Atlantis students to explore viable career pathways and develop real-world skills.
“This funding will support the work we are doing in our five school-to-career academies to prepare students for the 21st century workforce,” said Atlantis Charter School Executive Director Robert Beatty. “It is gratifying to see how well our goals align with those of the Commonwealth through its Innovation Pathways.”
STEM Academy students with instructor Patrick McMillan
Innovation Pathways expose students to in-demand careers in industry sectors including manufacturing, information technology, environmental and life sciences, health care and social assistance, and business and finance. Students gain hands-on experience in these career fields through coursework and internships with local employers, allowing them to develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field while they are still in high school.
“These early career programs provide students a head-start in learning and thinking about future career options so that they are able to make informed decisions about what they want to pursue in college and beyond,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
Health and Medicine Academy instructor Diane Richard shows students how to take a patient’s vitals on the SimMan.
Atlantis has three Innovation Pathways: Manufacturing, Business & Finance, and Healthcare & Social Assistance which are integrated into its innovative Career Academies and will serve 368 students when fully enrolled. Students enrolled in these programs will study Advanced Placement courses and participate in job shadows, internships and externships.
Atlantis received its official designation as an Innovation Pathways program in Spring 2019, becoming one of only 26 high schools in the state with this designation. Its workforce partners on the Innovation Pathways include MIT Integrated Design and Management Program – SLOAN, Southcoast Autism Center, and the Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship.
“Innovation Pathways are designed to build strong partnerships between high schools and local employers to offer students the knowledge and experience in growing, in demand industries throughout in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “By providing more young people hands-on career experiences, we can increase their skills and engage with them in a new, innovative and exciting way.”
The Baker-Polito Administration awarded grants totaling more than $676,000 to 14 high schools, including Atlantis, that launched new early career programs for students in fall 2019.