Parents

Why Consider Career Pathways?

Career Pathways programs of study are a great way to plan for college and/or a career.

High school students can:

• Graduate with higher-level skills in both academic and technical areas, and earn industry certifications.
• Earn college credit through Career Pathways Assessments or industry certifications.
• Build confidence in a Career and Technical Student Organization, a co-curricular program  that develops leadership, communication and technical skills.
• Take part in a job shadowing or internship program that provides hands-on learning experiences.
• Qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship or Florida Bright Futures Gold Seal Scholarship.

Eligible middle and high school students in Career Pathways classes may earn accelerated college credit toward an associate or bachelor's degree, similar to Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment credit. Credit is earned based on an assessment exam or industry certification. Assessment procedures for accelerated college credit begin in February and are completed in May.

Students should follow these steps to earn college credit:

• Choose a high school Career Pathways program of study based on their interests and abilities.
• Discuss the recommended courses for their Career Pathways program of study with the school counselor or career specialist.
• Complete the sequence of career and technical courses in their program of study at their high school with a B or better (in some cases a C or better.)
• Pass the industry certification exam or Career Pathways Assessment with the required grade for articulated (linked) courses.
• Students who pass a Career Pathways Assessment or industry certification exam will be enrolled as SF supplemental students and their credits will be automatically added to their transcripts.

Most Career Academy and high school Career and Technical Education programs of study articulate, or link, to college level programs at Santa Fe College or other postsecondary institutions.

Career Pathways graduates may be eligible for this scholarship, which recognizes and rewards excellence for academic achievement and career preparation. The scholarship can be used at a Florida public university, community college, career/ technical center, and trade or business school.

For more information on requirements, award amounts and eligibility, students should see their high school guidance counselor and check the Bright Futures Student Handbook for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award and the Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Award.

A student qualifies as a Career Pathways student if they are enrolled in one of these three academic pathways:

1. Career Academy Program

A career academy is a school-within-a-school that offers students academic programs organized around broad career themes. Academies integrate classroom instruction with work-based learning and aim to equip students with skills for both workforce entry and postsecondary education. Students have the opportunity to receive advanced credit or placement in programs at the college level.

When eighth grade students begin to create their four-year high school plans, they should discuss Career Pathways programs of study with a school counselor or career specialist. A Career Academy Forum night and academy Open Houses are opportunities for eighth graders and their families to learn about the different programs before applying to a career academy in the second semester.

• Alachua Career Academies
• Bradford Career Academies

2. Planned Sequence of Study in a Career and Technical Field

Students may use their electives to enroll in a sequence of three related career and technical education courses at the high school level that could be articulated (linked) in a program of study to Santa Fe College or to other colleges and universities. This is a good option for any student because of the opportunity to earn accelerated college credit, industry certifications, or a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.

3. High School Dual Enrollment

Students in the eleventh and twelfth grades can acquire academic and technology-based training at the college level while earning both college and high school credit. Students apply to the High School Dual Enrollment program through their high school counselor and, if accepted, take their academic and technology courses at SF.

SF High School Dual Enrollment