Educational Pathways
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Planning the Path
Our priority in School District U-46 is to ensure that every student graduates college and career ready. Two structures that support this work in different ways are Educational Pathways and the Magnet Academies. Students may choose to follow an Educational Pathway at their home high school starting in 9th grade or they may apply to, and if admitted, attend a Magnet Academy for their high school career.
Educational Pathways
Educational Pathways are clusters of strategically planned sequences of career-oriented courses paired with required general education courses that lead directly to a post-secondary plan. Educational Pathways are designed to give students and their families the information needed to plan for a high wage/ high demand career. Educational Pathways are flexible and do not require an application. They are a framework that helps students plan their future based on current interests and aptitudes. It is anticipated that many students will make changes in their plans and can choose a different Educational Pathway should that time come.
Each high school will offer the same five broad Educational Pathways. Within each Educational Pathway there are sequences of courses called Programs of Study that vary by high school. Students can participate in Programs of Study hosted in their home high school or work with a counselor to design a schedule that would allow them to travel to another high school should they choose to participate in a Program of Study not offered by their home high school.
Magnet Academies
Magnet Academies are theme-based schools within a school. Each of the five comprehensive high schools in U-46 features a unique Magnet Academy. Magnet Academies feature course sequences based on their themes. This means that many of the electives in the Magnet Academies are required so that students graduate having met the objectives of that Magnet Academy.
Students apply to the Magnet Academies in the fall of their 8th grade year. Students are able to apply to any Magnet Academy no matter where they live in the district boundaries and transportation is provided.
Educational Pathways
Arts & Communication Educational Pathway
Possible Careers:
Commercial & Industrial Designer
Film and Video Production
Graphic Designer
Public Relations Specialist
Sound Engineering Technician
Program of Study
Courses
Post Secondary Credential
Digital Art
Photography and Design Intro
Digital Art 1
Digital Art 2
Adobe Certification
Graphic Design
Photography and Design Intro
Graphic Design 1
Graphic Design 2
Adobe Certification
Theater
The Theater Experience
Actor’s Workshop
Advanced Theater Production
Web Page and Multimedia Design
Computer Applications
Multimedia Design and Publication
Web & Media Design
Advanced Web and Media Design
Written Communication
Production and Publication 1
Production and Publication 2
Finance, Business, Information Technology, and Hospitality
Possible Careers:
Accountant
Business Manager
Chef
Computer and Information Systems Managers/ Engineers
Entrepreneur
Hospitality Manager
Human Resource Specialist
Marketing Specialist
Software Developers
Web Developer
Program of Study
Courses
Post Secondary Credential
Accounting
Introduction to Global Business
Accounting
College Accounting
Business Management and Administration
Introduction to Global Business
Computer Applications
Advanced Computer Applications
Microsoft Office
Computer Science
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science B
Culinary Arts/ Hospitality
Introduction to Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts
Advanced Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
ServSafe
Marketing
Introduction to Global Business
Marketing
Management and Entrepreneurship
Health, Human, and Professional Services Educational Pathway
Possible Careers:
Certified Nursing Assistant, Nurse
Counselor
Dentist
Doctor
Fire Fighter
Lawyer
Medical and Laboratory Technician
Police Officer
Social Worker
Teacher
Veterinarian
Program of Study
Courses
Post Secondary Credential
Biomedical Science
PLTW Principles of Biomedical Science
PLTW Medical Interventions
Human Body Systems
Certified Nursing Assistant
Foundations of Healthcare Science
Advanced Healthcare Science
Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistant
Dual Credit
Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Childhood Education
Advanced Childhood Education
Healthcare Science
Foundations of Healthcare Science
Advanced Healthcare Science
Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
Law
Introduction to Law 1
Introduction to Law 2
Veterinary Assistant (Regional Pathway)
Introduction to Agriculture
Veterinary Science 1
Veterinary Science 2
NAVTA Certification
Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades Educational Pathway
Possible Careers:
Architect
Automotive/ Heavy Equipment Service Technician
Civil Engineer
Electromechanical Technician
Mechanical Engineer
Precision Machinist/ Tool and Die Maker
Welder
Program of Study
Courses
Post-Secondary Credential
Automotive Technology
Automotive Technology, Advanced Automotive Technology,
Automotive Service
ASE Certification
Engineering- Architectural/ Civil
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design
PLTW Principles of Engineering
PLTW
PLTW Civil Engineering and Architecture
Engineering- Electrical
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design
PLTW Principles of Engineering
PLTW Digital Electronics
Engineering- Manufacturing
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design
PLTW Principles of Engineering
PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Engineering- Mechanical/ Design
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design
PLTW Principles of Engineering
PLTW Engineering Design and Development
Precision Manufacturing
Intro to Precision Manufacturing
Precision Manufacturing
Advanced Precision Manufacturing
NIMS Certification
Dual Credit
Welding
Intro to Welding Technology
Welding Technology 1
Welding Technology 2
AWS Certification
Dual Credit
Multidisciplinary Educational Pathway
Students work with their counselors to compose a four-year plan based on their goals and interests.