The Nashoba Regional School Committee heard April 30 that the high school's innovation pathways program has increased enrollment and expanded its curriculum, including two dual-enrollment courses approved through Middlesex Community College and a planned start of Engineering Essentials (Project Lead The Way) next year.

Bridget Hannigan, innovation pathways coordinator, told the committee the district currently offers advanced engineering & manufacturing and business & finance pathways and that each pathway can accommodate up to 20 students per graduating class; administrators said current capacity has been sufficient to accept students who applied this year. The district secured approval for two dual-enrollment classes through Middlesex Community College: Product Development for Entrepreneurs (relevant to both pathways) and Tech Essentials for the Modern World 1 and 2 (supporting business & finance). The district has submitted additional course proposals and awaited further approvals.

Hannigan said the district has applied for designation of a third pathway in Information Technology, which would add approximately 20 seats per graduating class and expand opportunities in digital creation, graphic design, data, computer science and media production if approved. The total capacity across three pathways would then be about 60 students per graduating class.

Hannigan and Assistant Superintendent Friend noted the district has updated the innovation-pathways website to make information about applications, graduation requirements and industry partnerships easier for families to find, and they said they will continue parent, student and guidance outreach via a monthly pathways newsletter. Committee members received the update as informational.