How do they work?

Postsecondary and Workforce ReadinessSchools that offer academic and career pathways provide unique learning opportunities to students in one or more of the four pathways. By 2015, all schools in APS will have one or more pathways. Pathways work differently depending on the school.

At many schools, every student receives the enriched curriculum offered by an academic and career pathway. At some schools, however, students can opt into an intensive pathway curriculum or choose the pathway that intrigues them most, giving them extra field experience and advanced academic studies in that field.

Pathways Enrollment

At APS, students can apply to enroll at any school that has classroom space. So if students wish to enter a different academic and career pathway offered by another school, they can use the open enrollment system to switch schools. Students who live in the neighborhood of a pathways school will automatically have the opportunity to apply for and participate in the pathways curriculum offered by that school.

From Preschool to a College Degree

In the APS system, students will have the opportunity to earn industry certifications or associate’s degrees for free in public schools (or at a very low cost at Pickens Technical College). This means students can graduate from APS with two or more degrees in-hand and the specialized skills and credentials needed to enter college or the high-skills workforce, possibly without ever paying tuition.

Students who work hard and choose to pursue further education after graduation will have unique experience that makes them highly competitive candidates for college admissions.

Pathway Locations

The APS schools that offer academic and career pathways are listed below. Students and their parents can contact the school to see if they are eligible to enroll.

Elementary Level

Arts & Communication

Business

Health Sciences

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Laredo

Montview

Paris

Park Lane

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Fletcher Intermediate

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Arrow

Middle School Level

Arts & Communication

Business

Health Sciences

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Vista PEAK Exploratory

East Middle School

North Middle Health Science & Technology Campus

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Aurora Hills

Columbia

Fletcher Intermediate

Mrachek

Vista PEAK Exploratory

Arrow

High School Level and Above

Arts & Communication

Business

Health Sciences

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Vista PEAK Preparatory

Pickens Technical College

Vista PEAK Preparatory

Pickens Technical College

Aurora Central

Hinkley

Pickens Technical College

Vista PEAK Preparatory

William Smith

Gateway

Rangeview

Pickens Technical College

Vista PEAK Preparatory

...

Vista Peak

The Vista PEAK campus offers all four pathways at all grade levels, as well as a liberal arts pathway, giving students a seamless education and the opportunity to switch pathways at any point in his or her academic life.


 

Pickens Technical College

APS has partnered with the community college system to offer students another school choice: Pickens Technical College, where high school students can earn college degrees or occupational certificates that will qualify them to enter a post-secondary college program or the high-skills workforce.


 

Individual Career and Academic Plan

In sixth grade, all Colorado students in public schools develop an ICAP – an individual career and academic plan that will guide them in pursuing their career goals and career interests.