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EHPS Career Pathways

EHPS Career Pathways: Planning for the Future

Career pathways in a comprehensive high school are structured sequences of both academic and technical courses aligned with specific industry sectors, designed to connect classroom learning directly to post-secondary degrees, industry certifications, or entry-level employment.

Unlike single-track trade schools, a comprehensive high school integrates these pathways into a standard diploma program, allowing students to combine technical training with core academics, Advanced Placement (AP) or dual-credit courses, athletics, and extracurriculars.

Core Components of a Pathway

  • Sequential Coursework: A typical pathway consists of 2 to 4 progressive classes—moving from introductory exploration to intermediate skill development and culminating in a final performance-based course.

  • Work-Based Learning: Upper-level students participate in practical applications, such as internships, job shadowing, mentorships with local businesses, or student-run enterprises.

  • Dual Enrollment & Credentials: Pathways frequently offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, OSHA-10, CNA, Adobe Certified Professional) or transferable college credits before graduation.

  • CTSO Integration: Curriculum is often paired with Career and Technical Student Organizations like HOSA or FBLA where students compete and build leadership skills.

By structuring high school electives into coherent pathways, EHPS replaces random course selection with purposeful career exploration. Students leave high school with a realistic sense of an industry, tangible credentials for their resume, and a clearer direction for their post-graduation plans—whether that involves a four-year university, a community college, an apprenticeship, or the job market.

 

 

EHPS Career and Technical Education Mission

The mission of the East Haven Public Schools CTE department is to provide students with a rigorous, workplace-aligned learning environment that equips them with the transferable skills of the EHPS Vision of the Graduate necessary to pursue high-skill, high-wage opportunities in a variety of technical careers.

 

Career and Technical Education Departmental Goals

  • Prepare students for future opportunities through skill development—both practical and professional 
  • Empower students for the next phase of their education journey: college, trade school, apprenticeship, or workforce
  • Engage partners. By actively collaborating with regional and state educational institutions, as well as industry partners, we facilitate opportunities for students to develop crucial industry skills centered on industry demand. 
  • Guide career choices by fostering career awareness, exploration, and preparation, understanding the employment landscape and grasping the essentials of industry preparedness.

EHPS CTE Pathways

Advanced Manufacturing: Industrial Machinery

The Manufacturing Pathway includes 3 courses: Manufacturing 1, Manufacturing II, and Manufacturing III all of which help students develop increased levels of independence in the use of industrial machinery, including CNC machines, 3D printers, and precision measuring devices.

Air and Space Transportation

The Air and Space Transportation Pathway includes two courses: Aviation and Flight Science and Drone Technology and Operation. Through these courses students develop skills in aviation operations, aircraft systems, safety procedures, and the technical knowledge necessary to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Culinary and Food Services

The Culinary and Food Services Pathway includes four courses: Culinary I, Production Bakeshop, Culinary II, and Hive Cafe, through which students develop skills in the preparation, operation, and management of food service. Through this pathway, students have the opportunity to earn college credits and participate in a school-based business.

Design and Digital Arts

The Design and Digital Arts Pathway includes two specializations: Graphic Design and Photography. The Graphic Design specialization includes Introduction to Animation, Graphic Design I, Graphic Design II through which students develop skills in animation, visual marketing, graphic design, and print media using a variety of Adobe software. The Photography specialization includes Digital Art and Media, Photography I, Photography II, and Commercial Photography.

Fashion and Interiors

The Fashion and Interiors Pathway includes two courses: Fashion I and Fashion II. Through these courses, students develop skills that bridge the creative and commercial aspects of fashion design, production, and marketing.

Financial Services

The Financial Services Pathway includes three courses: Accounting I, Accounting II, and Small Business Management, through which students develop skills in recording financial transactions, using technology in the field of accounting, and analyzing financial statements.

Media Production and Broadcasting

The Media Broadcasting Pathway includes two courses: Film Production and Editing I and Film Production and Editing II. Students develop skills in film, television, radio, journalism, communications, writing, and broadcasting, with a focus on content creation, production, and distribution.

Maintenance and Repair

The Maintenance and Repair Pathway includes two courses: Introduction and Advanced Automotive Technology, through which students develop skills in completing automotive maintenance and repairs.

Marketing and Advertising

The Marketing and Advertising Pathway includes four courses: Introduction to Business, Marketing I, Marketing II, and Small Business Management, through which students develop skills in using digital technologies and traditional strategies to promote products and services, engage customers, and build brand identity.

Physical Health

The Physical Health Pathway includes five courses: Careers in Health Science, Introduction to Emergency Medicine, Health Science I, Health Science II, and Nurse Assistant, through which students develop skills in medical care, conducting diagnostics, providing therapeutic services, and administering pharmaceuticals. Students learn many aspects of patient healthcare in the pathway.

Skilled Trades

The Skilled Trades Pathway includes three courses: Woodworking I, Woodworking II, and Woodworking III. Through these courses, students develop skills in hands-on construction, including traditional and automated wood processing.

Teaching, Training and Facilitation

The Teaching, Training, and Facilitation Pathway includes two courses: Digital Media and Civic Life and Introduction to the Teaching Profession through which students develop knowledge and skills in childhood development, lesson planning, instructional practices, and the principles of effective teaching and training.

Click Here To Learn More About CTE Pathways at EHHS

Sample Integrated Program of Study Document

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