Old Rochester Regional High School Receives $75,000 Career Pathways Grant

Old Rochester Regional High School was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support the school’s designation as part of the Innovation Career Pathways program. Students from Old Rochester’s chapter of DECA, pictured at the DECA Region 8 Conference, are participating in the program. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — There are currently 23 students at Old Rochester Regional High School who are on pathways to develop practical skills, earn college credits and get a taste of what work is like in their career of interest.

Old Rochester Regional (ORR) High School recently received a $75,000 grant from the state government to support the ongoing implementation of the Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) program, which provides students with opportunities for work-based learning in high-demand industries.

In total, the ORR program has received $135,000 in grant funding since April 2025, when it was among 37 programs at high schools across the state to receive an initial ICP designation from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Olive Huggins, a junior, shared her experience with the ORR Career Pathways program at the Old Rochester Regional School Committee Equity Subcommittee meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 29. Huggins is among the 23 students enrolled in the ICP program at ORR, which offers two state-designated career exploration pathways: Business/Finance and Advanced Manufacturing. The ORR ICP program features a combination of academic coursework, technical training, work-based learning, and college credit opportunities, offering students the chance to develop real-world skills, earn industry-recognized credentials and make career connections.

So far, five students in the ORR ICP program have completed college courses and 13 are currently enrolled in college courses in their related career field. Students in the ORR ICP program will have access to internships such as Thompson Consultants Inc., an engineering consultant.

Students have also embarked on on-site internships through ORR’s DECA student businesses, ORR Originals (a T-shirt press) and Bulldog Bites (a to-go snack box business for after school clubs, activities, and sports). ICP grant funding covered start-up costs for the student-led, school-based enterprises.

Old Rochester Regional High School’s Innovation Career Pathways in Business & Finance and Advanced Manufacturing are both built on meaningful partnerships with the local business community. The ORR ICP program invites employers, organizations, and skilled professionals to collaborate with on the expansion of internship opportunities that provide students with authentic, hands-on experiences aligned to high-demand careers. Through these internships, students develop essential workplace skills, explore career pathways, and apply technical and academic learning in real-world environments. In turn, ORR ICP program partners have the opportunity to mentor emerging talent, contribute to workforce development, and help ensure a strong, skilled pipeline of future employees for the region. 

“Together, we can create impactful learning experiences that benefit students, businesses, and the greater Old Rochester community,” said Assistant Principal Lauren Millette.

Members of the local business community and industry partners are asked to please contact Millette at laurenmillette@oldrochester.org to learn more about partnering with ORR on the ICP program.

The ORR ICP program is open to all interested students. To participate, students first attend an informational session to select a pathway and then complete an application with parental approval. Once accepted, students join specialized Bulldog Block sessions to explore their chosen field. They progress through a rigorous course sequence that begins with foundational high school classes and moves into advanced technical training and independent learning projects. As students master these high school requirements, they transition into dual enrollment courses to earn college credit. Throughout this journey, students meet regularly with mentors and ICP coordinators to manage their coursework and secure high-impact internships and build their portfolios.

Coordinators and mentors for the implementation of the ORR ICP program include Assistant Principal Lauren Millette, technology teacher Scott McElroy, chemistry teacher/DECA advisor Alyssa Whitney, and DECA advisor/paraprofessional Beth Trout.

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz, Principal Michael Devoll, and Assistant Principal Millette thanked DESE for its investment in Old Rochester Regional High School students, offering them a transformative experience that will enable them to develop essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities and make informed choices about their post-secondary education.

“Programs like Innovation Career Pathways give students meaningful exposure to careers while they are still in high school, giving them a chance at early exploration of their potential careers, college-level courses and technical skill development,” said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Fedorowicz. “The recent $75,000 grant allows us to continue developing our ICP program, as we strive to help students make informed decisions about their futures.”  

“The ICP program is creating real opportunities for students to connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world beyond school,” said Principal Devoll. “We are seeing students take ownership of their goals and engage more deeply when they can see how their work applies to future careers.”

“This grant funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration strengthens our ability to support students through every stage of the pathway, from exploration to college coursework and internships,” said Assistant Principal Millette. “It also allows us to continue building partnerships that give students authentic experiences in high-demand fields. We’re grateful to be able to expand upon this program and provide additional opportunities to our students.”

“We are thankful to DESE and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued investment in Old Rochester students and programs like this that emphasize both academic rigor and career skill development,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Innovation Career Pathways allows our students to get two steps ahead, putting them on a path to graduate with a clearer sense of direction and the tools they need for postsecondary success.”

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