Atlantis Charter School received validation from the State of Massachusetts for the work it has been doing in its innovative Career Academies. The Massachusetts Governor’s Office announced that Atlantis is one of four new high schools selected to take part in the Innovation Pathways programs after recently receiving official designation from the state Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education.
The Pathways will serve to further grow Atlantis’s Career Academy Program by exposing students to even more in-demand careers. The Pathways include Advanced Manufacturing, Business & Finance, and Healthcare & Social Assistance and will serve 368 students when fully enrolled.
“We are honored to be among the schools selected to receive this designation from the State. The Atlantis Career Academies were designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the 21st century workforce by giving them early access to in-demand careers through advanced coursework and internships with local businesses. The Innovation Pathways program will supplement our current efforts, which will not only benefit our students, but support our shared mission to provide the best education possible for young people in our community and across Massachusetts and spur economic development in the years to come,” said Robert Beatty, executive director of Atlantis Charter School.
Atlantis is partnering with the MIT Integrated Design and Management Program – SLOAN, the Southcoast Autism Center, and the Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship.
The Innovation Pathways aim to prepare students for college and careers by giving them experience in specific high-demand industries, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, through college level coursework and internships at local businesses. Launched in 2017, 25 high schools in the Commonwealth now have designated Innovation Pathway programs.
“Innovation Pathways provide students with important additional knowledge and direction so they are prepared to pursue careers in high-demand industries in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is very thankful to the high school administrators who are doing the hard work to launch these new career pathways so students in the Commonwealth are better prepared for success after graduation.”
Students will study Advanced Placement courses as well as have opportunities for job shadow, internships, and externships. They will earn college credits, at no cost to them, and gain insight as to whether the field is something they want to pursue in college or as a career.
“These new pathways will help address one of the Commonwealth’s biggest challenges in education – making sure students are prepared for college and careers,” Education Secretary James Peyser said. “Innovation Pathways, and its sister program Early College, give students real experience in college and the workplace while they are still in high school, which is critical to ensure their future success.”
Governor Baker has proposed legislation that would provide additional funding for high schools that implement Early College and Career Pathway programs, providing schools with a dependable revenue stream. The bill is still under consideration by the Legislature.
Agawam, Brockton, and Burlington High Schools will also launch Innovation Pathways programs this fall.