Wilmington High School Receives “Innovation Career Pathways” Designation From State

Below is a press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education:

BOSTON, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced new Innovation Career Pathway designations to 37 high schools, including 20 that are receiving a designated pathway for the first time.

Wilmington High School received the designation for the first time, in both their Business Finance and Environmental & Life Sciences.

Innovation Career Pathway experiences enable students to explore careers and participate in applied technical and advanced courses. The program gives students the opportunity to participate in work-based learning in high demand industries they may want to pursue, while also bolstering workforce pipelines to meet the needs of employers in areas such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, environmental and life sciences, and health care. This all comes at no cost to the students.

“Innovation Career Pathways have a positive impact for our high school students and for the future of our workforce. By expanding access to applied learning in fields like clean energy, life sciences, and information technology, we’re preparing young people for successful careers in some of the fastest-growing industries in our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration will keep investing in pathways that empower students to discover their passions and build a strong, equitable economy for Massachusetts.”

“We’re thrilled that nearly 30 percent of eligible high schools will be offering Innovation Career Pathways by next school year. These programs don’t just give students real-world experiences — they connect them to the industries that are driving Massachusetts’ future,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

Starting in school year 2025-2026, Innovation Career Pathways will be offered in nearly 30 percent of eligible high schools across Massachusetts. With these new designations, there will be over 8,500 students enrolled in one or more of the 262 Innovation Career Pathways in 117 high schools. This announcement builds on the $1,387,000 the administration awarded over the past year to 51 school districts through planning and implementation grants.

In 2023, the administration announced a new Clean Energy pathway, which will be in a total of 10 schools next school year. Further, under this administration, Innovation Career Pathways have expanded to 82 more high schools, adding 132 additional pathways for students.

“We want to transform the high school experience, and expanding Innovation Career Pathways is one crucial way we are working to do just that. I am excited that the program will reach nearly 30 percent of high schools across Massachusetts as we work to Reimagine High School, increasing student engagement for thousands of students and creating new opportunities for them to find their own paths to successful futures,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.