Franklin High School Awarded Innovation Career Pathway Designations for Business/Finance and Health Care/Social Assistance Pathways

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced new Innovation Career Pathway designations for 37 high schools on Wednesday. Representatives from those 37 districts, including Franklin Public Schools, posed for a group photo following the 2025 Massachusetts STEM Summit at Gillette Stadium. (Photo Courtesy the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education)

FRANKLIN — Assistant Superintendent Tina Rogers, STEM Curriculum Director Eric Stark, and Principal Maria Weber are excited to announce that Franklin High School (FHS) has been awarded an Innovation Career Pathway (ICP) designation for Business & Finance and Health Care & Social Assistance programs from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

This is the Franklin Public Schools’ first DESE ICP designation. 

DESE announced Franklin High School’s new ICP designations during the 2025 Massachusetts STEM Summit at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, May 7. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced new Innovation Career Pathway designations for 37 high schools, including 20 districts receiving a designated pathway for the first time.

“We want to transform the high school experience, and expanding Innovation Career Pathways is one crucial way we are working to do just that,” said Massachusetts Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am excited that the program will reach nearly 30 percent of high schools across Massachusetts as we work to Reimagine High School, increasing student engagement for thousands of students and creating new opportunities for them to find their own paths to successful futures.”

ICPs are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as information technology, engineering, health care, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. They are designed to create strong partnerships with employers in order to expose students to career options and help them develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field of study before they graduate high school.

Massachusetts is widely recognized as a frontrunner in health care and STEM innovation. Launching and growing these pathways will allow students to explore high-demand industries and envision themselves as future leaders in these fields.

“These pathways allow for the further alignment of the high school curriculum with industry demands,” said Curriculum Director Stark. “Franklin Public Schools is proud to join the other 19 high schools in the Commonwealth in implementing new Innovation Career Pathways.”

The District’s phased implementation of the two new ICPs, will begin in Fall 2025. Students and families can expect more information in the coming year. ICPs will offer students a transformative experience, enabling them to develop essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary careers or education in promising fields.

Students who enroll in the Health Care and Social Assistance ICP will take courses like Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology, and engage in experiences to obtain industry-recognized credentials such as CPR, First Aid, and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).

Students who enroll in the Business and Finance ICP will take courses like Introduction to Business, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship, and work to earn industry-recognized credentials, including Google and financial literacy certifications.

As part of implementing these ICPs, the district will partner with employers as students complete authentic work-based internships.

“We encourage our students to expose themselves to a variety of experiences during their time at Franklin High School,” said Principal Weber. “These new Innovation Career Pathway programs offer our students another powerful opportunity to broaden their high school experience and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. It’s about preparing our students to not just graduate high school, but for their life beyond graduation.” 

Earning the DESE ICP designation follows a competitive multi-phase application process.

“Earning this designation directly results from the hard work and collaboration of our educators and administrators, including securing multiple grants,” said Curriculum Director Stark. “Our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for our students made this possible. We are excited to continue building a strong foundation for implementation as we bring this vision to life in the months and years ahead.”

Implementing ICPs will help the high school expand meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities for Franklin students.

“Offering Innovation Career Pathways will give Franklin High School students a real-world advantage,” said Assistant Superintendent Rogers. “One of our most important tasks as educators is to prepare our students for life after high school. These new programs will prepare students for work or higher education, and the District hopes to expand its Career Pathway offerings in the near future.”

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Massachusetts Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler addressed educators gathered at the 2025 STEM Summit on Wednesday. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)