Aurora Public Schools Academic and Career Pathways provide students with rigorous curricula connected with focused, hands-on, relevant learning that prepares them for higher education and the workforce.

Pathways are designed to:

• Prepare students for college and careers with university credits, industry certificates and associate degrees.
• Engage students through career exploration and relevant core academics.
• Position students to compete globally for high-demand, high-skill, high-paying careers.

APS is currently focusing their efforts on building and developing educational opportunities around the current APS Career Pathways Program, which focuses on the following six pathways:

• Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy
• Business, Marketing and Public Administration
• Hospitality, Human Service and Education
• Health Sciences, Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Skilled Trades and Technical Sciences
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Arts, Design and Information Technology

These pathways are based on the Colorado Career Cluster model developed by the Career and Technical Education segment of the Colorado Community College System.

Career cluster models group careers and industries based on the common academic and technical knowledge and skills required of employees in each career.

The Colorado Career Clusters provide a visual map for identifying relationships between career interests and developing an academic and career plan that focuses on one or more clusters. Career clusters offer students a relevant context for learning by linking class material with real-world careers.

Use of the Colorado Career Cluster Model will help students realize the direct link between the education they get in school and their ability to succeed in life. The career clusters guided district leaders in designing the APS curriculum. APS Pathways have been organized to mimic the career clusters and cover the range of skills associated with a career grouping.

Click on the image below to view a full-size version of the Colorado Career Cluster Model.

More information on APS Career Pathways is coming soon.

View the APS Academic and Career Pathways archive.

Quick Facts

• Studies show that students with coursework related to career goals tend to have higher educational aspirations and higher self-esteem.
• On average, students that set career goals are more satisfied with their education than students who are indecisive about their future careers.

Pathways in the News