Framingham Public Schools Expands Innovation Career Pathways offerings at Framingham High School 

FRAMINGHAM - May 8, 2025 - Framingham Public Schools (FPS) is pleased to announce a new Innovation Career Pathway designation at Framingham High School from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. Framingham High School is among  37 high schools to expand programming, including 20 that are receiving a designated pathway for the first time. Framingham High School has been approved to begin a Healthcare and Social Assistance Pathway in the 2025-2026 school year. 

Innovation Career Pathway experiences enable students to explore careers and participate in applied technical and advanced courses. The program provides students the opportunity to participate in work-based learning in high-demand industries they may want to pursue, while including no cost to the students. 

“Framingham Public Schools is honored to be among the districts that received this funding to support the commitment to opportunities that expand career pathways for our students. As a district, we have worked diligently to increase innovative opportunities for our students.” Said Dr. Robert A. Tremblay, Superintendent of Schools. “I am especially grateful to Julie O’Leary, Career Development Coordinator at Framingham High School, Michelle McGahan, Vice Principal of the Student Success Academy, FHS Principal Mark Albright, Kate Fiore, Grants Financial Manager for the Framingham Public Schools, and our Offices of Teaching and Learning, Student Supports, and the Department of Health & Wellness. I am also appreciative of the investment of our partners, including Reliant Medical Group, the Edward M. Kennedy Center, the MetroWest Health Foundation, MassHire (Metro South/West Workforce Board), and the College Planning Collaborative. The partnerships are critical to the success of our ongoing work!”

The proposed plan for Innovation Pathways Designation, specifically in the healthcare field, allows students to explore healthcare careers while obtaining industry-recognized certifications before graduation. Without this funding, students would face limited access to high-quality training resources which could delay program accreditation and limit enrollment capacity. This will have a lasting impact on the Framingham/Metrowest area and public health improvements as it will help early identify and provide foundational training for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers or post-secondary education after graduation.

“This will undoubtedly provide a robust set of experiences for all our students in grades 9-12,” said Dr. Marybeth O’Brien, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Framingham Public Schools. “We are excited about these continued efforts to actualize the vision of providing Framingham students with experiential learning opportunities that allows early exposure to careers. This opportunity will also support students’ sense of meaning and connection to how high school experiences lead to their future goals, in hopes to engage students to improve graduation rates, build college and career readiness, and establish partnerships within the industry to extend opportunities beyond high school.” 

Principal Mark Albright remarked, “I am incredibly proud of the Framingham High School team. This Innovation Career Pathway designation reflects months of hard work and a deep commitment to student success. I want to especially recognize Julie O’Leary, our Career Development Coordinator, whose tireless planning, outreach, and leadership were essential in bringing this vision to life. I’m also grateful to Michelle McGahan, Vice Principal of the Student Success Academy, for ensuring that our most vulnerable students remain at the heart of this work. None of this would have been possible without the strong collaboration of our district and central office partners. Together, we’re creating clearer, more inclusive pathways to a meaningful future for every Flyer—and we’re just getting started.”

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Innovation Career Pathways will be offered in nearly 30 percent of eligible high schools across Massachusetts.  With these new designations, there will be over 8,500 students enrolled in one or more of the 262 Innovation Career Pathways in 117 high schools. Today’s announcement builds on the $1,387,000 that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded over the past year to 51 school districts through planning and implementation grants. 

FHS team members, including the Superintendent of Schools, joined other schools across the Commonwealth on May 7, 2025 to celebrate these awards at the 2025 STEM Summit. Team members were afforded the opportunity to connect with a community of innovative educators and community partners to celebrate the increase in STEM opportunities for high school students across the Commonwealth.  

About Innovation Career Pathways

Innovation Career Pathways are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, 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. More information can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s website. 

About Framingham Public Schools

The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook and Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.