Late last week, Principal Boynton and Innovation Pathways Coordinator, Bridget Hannigan, attended a press conference at Athol High School, where Nashoba Regional High School was publicly recognized as a recipient of the Innovation Pathways Planning Grant. This grant is part of a larger $1 million initiative, distributed among 29 school districts across Massachusetts, and was used to support the development of NRHS' Information Technology Pathway implementation grant, which was submitted in early February.
Governor Healey, who was present at the event, emphasized the importance of aligning education with workforce needs, stating, "In Massachusetts, we want to ensure that what students learn in school helps them get to where they want to go, while also meeting our workforce needs. That’s why we are invested in Innovation Career Pathways. Today’s funding will help expand these critical opportunities."
Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler also shared his thoughts, "We want to support our public schools to enable students to see the connection between what they are learning and what they will need to know in the future. Today’s Innovation Career Pathways investment promotes engaging STEM experiences for students, while deepening local connections with employers and future career opportunities."
The NRHS Information Pathways Team, composed of teachers, the head of guidance, and administrators, collaborated to develop an application for a third academic pathway. This new pathway integrates existing courses and curriculum while aligning with key sectors such as computer science, digital creation, and media production. If approved, it will provide students with expanded opportunities in these high-demand fields.