Press Release  Governor Healey Awards $5 Million to Expand High School Career Pathways Across Massachusetts

NORWOOD — As part of Massachusetts STEM Week, Governor Healey today announced more than $5 million in grants to expand and strengthen Innovation Career Pathways programs that provide high school students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to explore careers in high-demand STEM fields and other growing industries. The investment includes $436,000 in planning grants to 30 school districts to support the development of 15 potential new pathways, including at 11 high schools new to the program. Of the $5.1 million in funding, more than $4.7 million will support implementation and continuation grants to help schools sustain and strengthen existing Innovation Career Pathways programs this school year.

“Every student in Massachusetts deserves a high school experience that prepares them for success, whether they choose college, a career or another path,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That's why we're investing in programs that give students the chance to explore their interests, learn new skills and get real-world experience before they graduate. We want more young people to discover the incredible opportunities available right here in Massachusetts and have the tools they need to build a great future.

“The best way for students to discover what they're passionate about is to give them the chance to try something new,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “That's exactly what Innovation Career Pathways are doing in schools like Norwood High School, where students are getting hands-on experience in health care, clean energy and business. By bringing schools and employers together, we're opening doors for more students and helping them see what's possible for their futures.”

“Innovation Career Pathways show what's possible when schools, colleges and employers work together to create meaningful opportunities for students,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These programs help students discover their interests, build confidence and make informed decisions about their futures while they're still in high school. I'm grateful to the educators, school leaders and industry partners, like those at Norwood High School, who are bringing these experiences to life and helping more students see the many paths available to them.”

“As we elevate STEM learning this week, the administration is investing in and uplifting programs that connect students to important industries,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “This is part of our work to create more pathways to in-demand jobs here in Massachusetts.”

This school year, more than 8,500 students are enrolled in 303 Innovation Career Pathways at 130 high schools, representing nearly 36 percent of eligible high schools across Massachusetts. Through these programs, students explore careers, take advanced coursework and gain real-world experience through internships and work-based learning. With the new planning grants, schools have the opportunity to develop 15 additional pathways at 11 new high schools, potentially bringing the statewide total to 318 pathways at 141 high schools and serving nearly 9,000 students in the 2027–2028 school year, contingent on receiving Innovation Career Pathways designation and subsequent implementation funding.

Education Undersecretary Secretary Mark Reilly announced the grants at Norwood High School, which is receiving a $50,000 continuation grant to support its Innovation Career Pathways programs. During the visit, officials toured the school's health care, clean energy and business pathways, including an ambulance simulator and medical training programs, electric vehicle trainers, and a new school store where students can gain hands-on business experience.

“High school is a time for discovering opportunities that can lead to successful careers,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “Hands-on learning is one of the best ways to gain valuable experience. That’s why I’m so excited about this grant program, which will impact students’ futures at dozens of Massachusetts high schools. These awards from the Healey-Driscoll Administration are a highlight of STEM Week, which provides a glimpse at what’s possible for tomorrow’s leaders.”

"The STEM educational curriculum provides the high school students with the skill sets necessary to compete and thrive in the global job market, said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I’m thrilled that Apponequet Regional High School and Westport High School in my district was part of this over $5 million investment to grow STEM Innovation Career Pathways programs all across the Commonwealth. Our kids deserve the all the tools necessary to explore and enroll in the expanding STEM fields; industries that deliver the training needed to succeed in the high demand vocations that will be the foundation of tomorrow’s workforce economy.”

“Congratulations to the many high schools receiving grants this year as we expand the Innovation Career Pathways statewide program,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “These programs provide new avenues for students to explore a number of high-demand industries and have more hands-on learning opportunities while still in high school.”

“Innovation Career Pathways programs give students valuable opportunities to develop skills and explore careers in STEM,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “These grants will help prepare well-rounded, skilled students for success while strengthening our workforce.”

The planning grants will help schools develop curriculum, establish partnerships with employers and higher education institutions, and design work-based learning experiences as they prepare to apply for Innovation Career Pathways designation in spring 2027. The implementation and continuation funding includes $3,883,046 awarded in the first round and $824,629 in the second round. Schools can use these grants for professional development, instructional materials, college and career advising, industry-recognized credentials, dual enrollment opportunities and other resources needed to deliver their designated pathways this school year.

Innovation Career Pathways provide students with a structured sequence of courses and experiences connected to high-demand industries in the Massachusetts economy, including health care, life sciences, information technology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and business and finance. Schools work with local MassHire Workforce Boards to align programs with regional workforce needs and connect students with career opportunities.

At Norwood High School, students can explore careers through pathways in health care, clean energy and business. The school's health care programming includes medical training experiences, a developing simulation lab and opportunities for students to gain exposure to medical education at Harvard Medical School. Students in the clean energy pathway use electric vehicle training equipment to explore emerging technologies and related careers, while the business pathway provides opportunities to apply classroom learning through a new school store.

“Beyond Technical skills, these pathway programs bring the Portrait of a Graduate and Strategic Mission of the Norwood Public Schools to life:  They place our students first, in an inclusive and innovative environment, to empower Collaborators, Communicators, Creators, Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers, and Contributing Citizens,” said Superintendent of Norwood Public Schools Timothy Luff. “When our students graduate from Norwood High School, they step into the future not only with high school diplomas, but with industry credentials, college credit, and hands-on experience. They truly do leave us as our Norwood strategic vision has set out for them: Inspired to Learn, Confident to Explore, Prepared to Thrive, and Ready for Tomorrow.

“Seeing our students thrive in the Innovation Career Pathways is incredibly rewarding. They provide remarkable hands-on STEM and business experiences that bring our 'Portrait of the Norwood Graduate' to life in such a tangible way,” said Norwood High School Principal Cindy Derrane. “The success of the pathways and the students is built directly on the foundation laid by faculty and staff across every department in our community. Our educators strive daily to shape well-rounded, innovative students, and these specialized opportunities are another incredible tool to achieve that shared mission.”

In 2023, Governor Healey launched a new Clean Energy Innovation Career Pathway to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to careers in the state's growing clean energy sector. Since its launch, the pathway has expanded to 13 high schools across Massachusetts, helping students develop skills and gain real-world experience in areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and emerging clean energy technologies. Norwood High School was among the schools selected to participate in the initial Clean Energy Innovation Career Pathway pilot in 2024 and continues to offer the pathway to students so they can explore clean energy careers through hands-on learning experiences.

The announcement is part of Massachusetts STEM Week 2026, a statewide celebration highlighting the message that “STEM Starts Now.” STEM Week emphasizes that at any age, from the youngest learners to adults, everyone can engage with STEM and discover opportunities that connect curiosity to careers. Across Massachusetts, schools, employers and communities are coming together to showcase hands-on STEM learning and career opportunities in every region of the state.

As part of STEM Week, administration officials will also visit educational institutions in southeastern Massachusetts later today to highlight investments in hands-on STEM education and career training. Assistant Secretary for Career Education Bob LePage will join Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Superintendent Roger Forget to tour career technical education programs, including welding, and highlight how Skills Capital Grants help prepare students for careers supporting major infrastructure projects. Later in the day, Assistant Secretary LePage, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education José Luis Santos, Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) Commissioner Adam Baacke, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy President Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald will visit the academy for a classroom demonstration showcasing investments in modern learning facilities and equipment that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.

Planning Grants, totaling $436,000: 

• Arlington High School, Arlington Public Schools – $15,000
• Athol High School, Athol-Royalston Public Schools – $15,000
• Belmont High School, Belmont Public Schools – $15,000*
• Tahanto Regional High School, Berlin-Boylston Public Schools – $15,000*
• Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter, Boston Public Schools – $15,000*
• Burlington High School, Burlington Public Schools – $15,000
• Wahconah Regional High School, Central Berkshire Public Schools – $15,000*
• Chelsea High School, Chelsea Public Schools – $15,000
• Danvers High School, Danvers Public Schools – $15,000
• Foxborough High School, Foxborough Public Schools – $15,000
• Apponequet High School, Freetown-Lakeville Public Schools – $15,000
• Granby High School, Granby Public Schools – $15,000
• Holliston High School, Holliston Public Schools – $15,000
• King Philip Regional High School, King Philip Public Schools – $15,000
• Leicester High School, Leicester Public Schools – $15,000
• Leominster High School, Leominster Public Schools – $15,000*
• Marshfield High School, Marshfield Public Schools – $15,000*
• Millbury High School, Millbury Public Schools – $15,000*
• Milton High School, Milton Public Schools – $15,000*
• North Brookfield High School, North Brookfield Public Schools – $15,000
• Algonquin High School, Northboro-Southboro Public Schools – $15,000*
• Palmer High School, Palmer Public Schools – $15,000
• Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Springfield (District) – $15,000
• Quabbin Regional High School, Quabbin Public Schools– $15,000
• Salem High School, Salem Public Schools – $15,000
• Scituate High School, Scituate Public Schools – $1,000
• Sutton High School, Sutton Public Schools – $15,000*
• Wachusett Regional High School, Wachusett Public Schools – $15,000
• Walpole High School, Walpole Public Schools – $15,000
• Westport High School, Westport Public Schools – $15,000

*Denotes a new district/school planning for Innovation Career Pathways.

Implementation and Continuation Grants Round 1, totaling $3,883,046:

• Agawam High School, Agawam Public Schools – $50,000
• Amherst High School, Amherst-Pelham Regional School District – $50,000
• Arlington High School, Arlington Public Schools – $73,400
• Athol High School, Athol-Royalston Regional School District – $50,000
• Barnstable High School, Barnstable Public Schools – $34,399
• Bellingham High School, Bellingham Public Schools – $50,000
• Monument Mountain Regional High School, Berkshire Hills Regional School District – $50,000
• Beverly High School, Beverly Public Schools – $50,000
• Brighton High School, Dearborn STEM Academy, and Albert D. Holland High School of Technology, Boston Public Schools – $149,863
• Bourne High School, Bourne Public Schools – $50,000
• Braintree High School, Braintree Public Schools – $50,000
• Brockton High School, Brockton Public Schools – $50,000
• Burlington High School, Burlington Public Schools – $50,000
• Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford Public Schools – $50,000
• Dedham High School, Dedham Public Schools – $37,300
• Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District – $30,778
• Fairhaven High School, Fairhaven Public Schools – $49,845
• Foxborough High School, Foxborough Public Schools – $75,000
• Apponequet Regional High School, Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District – $50,000
• Frontier Regional School, Frontier Regional School District – $50,000
• Hopkins Academy, Hadley Public Schools – $50,000
• Haverhill High School, Haverhill Public Schools – $50,000
• Holliston High School, Holliston Public Schools – $50,000
• Hoosac Valley Regional High School, Hoosac Valley Regional School District – $50,000
• Hull High School, Hull Public School – $67,400
• King Philip Regional High School, King Philip Regional School District – $50,000
• Lawrence High School, Lawrence Public Schools – $30,341
• Leicester High School, Leicester Public Schools – $50,000
• City Arts & Sciences Academy at Fecteau-Leary, Lynn Public Schools – $65,325
• Marblehead High School, Marblehead Public Schools – $50,000
• Mashpee Middle-High School, Mashpee Public Schools – $49,200
• Maynard High School, Maynard Public Schools – $50,000
• Medway High School, Medway Public Schools – $50,000
• Nipmuc Regional High School, Mendon-Upton Regional School District – $50,000
• Middleboro High School, Middleboro Public Schools – $50,000
• Milford High School, Milford Public Schools – $50,000
• Monson High School, Monson Public Schools – $75,000
• Nashoba Regional High School, Nashoba Regional School District – $50,000
• Newburyport High School, Newburyport Public Schools – $50,000
• Drury High School, North Adams Public Schools – $50,000
• North Attleboro High School, North Attleboro Public Schools – $50,000
• North Brookfield Junior Senior High School, North Brookfield Public Schools – $50,000
• Northampton High School, Northampton Public Schools – $50,000
• Old Rochester Regional High School, Old Rochester Regional School District – $50,000
• Oxford High School, Oxford Public Schools – $50,000
• Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Peabody Public Schools – $49,280
• Pentucket Regional Senior High School, Pentucket Regional School District – $50,000
• Phoenix Charter Academy Chelsea, Phoenix Charter Academy Chelsea – $50,000
• Phoenix Charter Academy Lawrence, Phoenix Charter Academy Lawrence – $50,000
• Phoenix Charter Academy Springfield, Phoenix Charter Academy Springfield – $50,000
• Pittsfield High School, Pittsfield Public Schools – $50,000
• Quabbin Regional High School, Quabbin Regional School District – $50,000
• Quaboag Regional High School, Quaboag Regional School District – $50,000
• Reading Memorial High School, Reading Public Schools – $50,000
• Rockland Senior High School, Rockland Public Schools – $50,000
• Sandwich Middle High School, Sandwich Public Schools – $50,000
• Scituate High School, Scituate Public Schools – $50,000
• Seekonk High School, Seekonk Public Schools – $75,000
• Shrewsbury High School, Shrewsbury Public Schools – $50,000
• Southwick Regional School, Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District – $50,000
• Springfield Renaissance School, Central High, High School Of Commerce, Springfield Public Schools – $150,000
• Swampscott High School, Swampscott Public Schools – $50,000
• Uxbridge High School, Uxbridge Public Schools – $50,000
• Wachusett Regional High School, Wachusett Regional School District – $50,000
• Walpole High School, Walpole Public Schools – $50,000
• Wareham High School, Wareham Public Schools – $50,000
• Watertown High School, Watertown Public Schools – $75,000
• Wayland High School, Wayland Public Schools – $50,000
• Westfield High School, Westfield Public Schools – $50,000
• Westport High School, Westport Public Schools – $50,000
• Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, Whitman-Hanson Regional School District – $50,000
• Burncoat High School, Claremont Academy, Doherty High School, North High School, South High School, and University Park High School, Worcester Public Schools – $45,915

Implementation and Continuation Grants Round 2, totaling $829,624:

• Atlantis Charter School, Atlantis Charter School – $50,000
• Clinton High School, Clinton Public Schools – $50,000
• Shepherd Hill Regional High School, Dudley-Charlton Regional School District – $50,000
• Duxbury High School, Duxbury Public Schools – $50,000
• Fitchburg High School, Fitchburg Public Schools – $50,000
• Framingham High School, Framingham Public Schools – $49,629
• Turners Falls High School, Gill-Montague Regional School District – $50,000
• Granby Junior Senior High School, Granby Public Schools – $50,000
• Greenfield High School, Greenfield Public Schools – $50,000
• Hopedale Junior Senior High School, Hopedale Public Schools – $50,000
• TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School, TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School District – $75,000
• Norwood High School, Norwood Public Schools – $50,000
• Pioneer Valley Regional School, Pioneer Valley Regional School District – $50,000
• CityLab Innovation High School, Revere Public Schools – $50,000
• Mt. Everett High School, Southern Berkshire Regional School District – $50,000
• Bartlett High School, Webster Public Schools – $50,000

###