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New approach to learning designed to graduate well-rounded, competent high school students

2/13/2017

 
​By Julia Burns - Co-founder, Pathways High

Unique curriculum at Pathways High addresses local challenges

Inspired by their work with students in Destination Imagination and the documentary, "Most Likely To Succeed," Amber Regan and I created Pathways High, a personalized, project-based high school opening in downtown Milwaukee in August 2017. Diverse by design, Pathways High has enrolled approximately 100 students from varied socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds from both city and suburban neighborhoods. The goal: to graduate more students fluent in academic, technological and interpersonal skills.

Broad exposure to careers

Through extensive research, Burns and Regan saw the need to provide high school students with broad exposure to career options and 21st century skills required for success in college, career and life. Also, best practices at schools across Wisconsin and the country revealed the importance of providing industry certifications as early as possible so students can demonstrate mastery. Re-purposing the STEM acronym as Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Mastery as coined by the highly successful STEM School in Denver, a partner of Pathways High, echoes Pathways High's mission.

Mastery of academic and technical content and skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, communication and problem solving, is accomplished through student engagement in projects that are co-designed by businesses and teachers and create connections to the community via their IMPACT program. Connections and networks can dramatically alter the trajectory of a young person’s life, especially a young person who lives in a disadvantaged zip code.

The goal of IMPACT is to expose students to careers and mentors in 12 industry clusters including:
  • Performance arts/Multimedia arts
  • Engineering
  • Business/finance
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental sciences
  • Social issues
  • Life sciences
  • Manufacturing trades/skilled crafting
  • Global citizenship
  • People services
  • Information technology

Optional fifth year

IMPACT takes the form of classes, week-long inter-sessions at a partner’s location and an optional fifth/gap year. The IMPACT year will be personalized for each student, blending internship/apprenticeship and dual enrollment in college courses.

This hybrid model provides a student with a deep understanding of both the workplace and academic requirements of a career pathway before s/he graduates and enrolls in a postsecondary program. The result is less costly experimentation in college and lower college debt burdens.
 
If you are interested in learning more about the IMPACT program and becoming an IMPACT partner, please contact me at jburns@pathwayshigh.com

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  • Membership
    • Gain visibility >
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      • Future 50 Awards >
        • Future 50 winner archive
      • Leadership Council
      • International >
        • Global Business Insights series
        • Wisconsin International Trade Conference
        • Benefits of WTA membership >
          • Join WTA now
        • WTA member directory
        • Global Pulse - eNewsletter Archive
        • WTA events
        • Volunteer leadership
      • Roundtables for high-growth companies
      • Small business >
        • Council of Small Business Executives
      • Young professionals
    • Improve the business climate
    • Invest in our community
    • Cost Savings programs >
      • Certificates of origin
      • Health insurance plan
      • Office supply discount program
    • Join now
    • Request More Information
    • Members only >
      • Member Orientation
      • Submit an event
      • Submit news about your company
      • Update email preferences
      • Promote your MMAC membership
  • Events
    • MMAC event calendar
    • Event photos >
      • 2020 Golf Outing
    • Community events calendar
    • Submit an event
    • Sponsorship
    • 2019 MMAC All Member Meeting
  • Talent Pipeline
    • Grow your talent pipeline >
      • Business tours for students
      • Career-based learning
      • Manufacturing CAREERx
      • Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
    • Attracting & retaining young professionals
    • Professional development
  • Diverse Talent
    • The Business Council
    • Hispanic Collaborative
  • Advocacy
    • Miller Park economic impact study
    • Legislator voting records
    • Pro-business public policy agenda >
      • Talent
      • Growth
      • Livability
      • Small business legislative agenda
    • Education recommendations >
      • Supportive policies
      • Quality schools
      • Effective Educators
      • Community engagement
    • Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
  • Economic Growth
    • Attracting & retaining businesses
    • Food & beverage cluster
    • Milwaukee Development Corp. >
      • Rebuild & Revitalize Program
    • Milwaukee EB-5 Visa program
    • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corp. (MUSIC)
    • Metro Milwaukee reports
    • Starting a business >
      • BizStarts
      • New business planning guide
  • About the Region
    • 2020 Navigate Business MKE
    • Benchmarking metro MKE
    • Business outlook survey
    • Economic Trends
    • Local media listings
    • Major employers in metro Milwaukee
    • Metro Milwaukee demographics
    • Order a publication
    • Relocating a business
  • About MMAC
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