Career Pathways

Environmental Science and Technology: The Environmental Science and Technology career pathway at Barnstable High School is a project-oriented, field-based curriculum designed to develop skills in collecting, analyzing, and communicating environmental data through authentic workplace experiences. Areas of concentration include Aquaculture/Hydroponics, Geographic Information System (GIS) digital mapping, water chemistry, energy efficiency, laboratory procedures, and natural resource conservation. This inquiry-based, hands-on program will prepare students to continue their education and/or enter the workforce in an environmental lab designed to model the operation of wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities. Student outcomes of the program include CPR/First Aid Training and certification, 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, and preparation to sit for the Massachusetts Water/Wastewater Operator Certification tests. In addition, students who successfully complete this pathway may be awarded up to 13 credits (4 Environmental Science courses) at Cape Cod Community College.

Required Courses:

• Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech I
• Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech II - Environmental Impact
• Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech III - Independent Study/Internship
• Biology (CP/H)

Recommended Courses:

• Intro to Environmental Science and Tech
• Biology (CP/H, AP)
• Chemistry (CP/H, AP)
• Physics  (CP/H, AP)
• Statistics
• Marine Biology
• Advanced Marine Biology - Giants of the Deep
• AP Environmental Science
• PLTW Computer Science
• World Language courses

---

Computer Science jobs are among the highest paid and have the highest job satisfaction. There actually are more computing jobs than qualified people to fill them in the United States. According to recent research, there will be about 1,000,000 unfilled programming jobs by 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth rates between 12% and 37% in computing and information technology occupations from 2012 through 2022. With this expected growth in computing, it’s easy to see that companies simply need more computer science graduates. With the growing demand for computer science professionals, our school wanted our students to be college and career ready in computer science. Students should not miss out on this opportunity that will be available when they graduate from college.

The goal of this Innovation Career Pathway is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of computer programming including basics of game design. This pathway also serves both as college preparatory courses for potential computer science majors and a foundation course for students planning to study in other majors, like engineering, physics, chemistry, and geology that require significant involvement with computing. Computer Science improves critical thinking skills and teaches you how to solve problems in a new way. 

Completion of this pathway requires two technical courses, two advanced courses, and a 100 hour internship or capstone experience, as outlined below. 

Required Courses:

• PLTW Computer Science Essentials 
• PLTW Cybersecurity
• PLTW AP Computer Science Principles
• PLTW AP Computer Science A

Recommended Courses: 

• Game Design 1
• Statistics
• Applied Art
• PLTW Engineering 
• Physics, Design Squad (8) or Robotics (8)
• Street Law & Society
• Business & Finance
• Digital Media
• World Language courses

Education: Courses in this Pathway are designed as an interactive, hands-on experience. Students learn in the classroom and practice their skills first at the Barnstable Public Schools Child Development Center located on-site at Barnstable High School and move on to elementary schools within the district or local preschools. Students prepare career portfolios which include competency-based skills checks, writing samples, lesson plans, and certification documentation. Training in the growth and development of children from birth to five years and child psychology is put into action. Students learn the art of writing resumés, how to prepare for an interview with a potential employer, and marketable skills necessary for success in life. Upon successful completion of Child Development 3 or Child Development Internship students are eligible to apply for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification and college credit through our post-secondary articulation agreement with Cape Cod Community College.  Students interested in becoming middle or high school teachers, counselors, social workers or school nurses will gain valuable career exploration and experience.

Law, Society & Criminal Justice: This Pathway prepares students for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, the military, firefighting, and many other public service occupations. The pathway capped during senior year with the Introduction to Criminal Justice course (formerly known as Street Law and Society).  There is considerable flexibility in this pathway as students create their own program within the domains of the History and Social Science (AP U.S. Government and Politics, Psychology, AP Psychology), Science (Forensics and Biotechnology, Advanced Forensics), Wellness (Beginning Fitness, Intermediate Strength Training and Fitness, Advanced Strength Training and Fitness), ELA, and World Language. In their senior year, students will have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials in both CPR and Stop the Bleed.

The Writer’s Pathway is designed to give students interested in writing a variety of experiences with writing for different audiences, writing through different genres, and hands-on experience by submitting work and assisting with the production of BHS’s Literary Magazine Kaleidoscope, contributing to BHS’s News Magazine Insight, and writing for and performing in BHS’s annual Poetry Slams. The experience they gain in the Writer’s Pathway will provide students with portfolios of original and published work they can use when applying to writing programs in college. This pathway not only connects students with local authors but also provides opportunities to attend regional conferences and participate in various contests.

Writer's Pathway Courses:

English 1, English 2, English 3: American Literature or Advanced Placement Language and Composition and at minimum 4 of the following: Creative Writing, Storytelling through Drama, Storytelling through Poetry, Research and Technical Writing, AP Literature and Composition. Must also take News Production 1.

Sample Course Progressions

Grade 9 English 1 News Production 1	Grade 9 English 1 News Production 1
Grade 10 English 2 Storytelling through Poetry Storytelling through Drama	Grade 10 English 2 Storytelling through Drama
Grade 11 AP Language and Composition Creative Writing	Grade 11 Research and Technical Writing Creative Writing
Grade 12 AP Language and Composition News Production 4	Grade 12 Research and Technical Writing Creative Writing
* optional internship with local author, organization or publication	* optional independent study towards portfolio creation and submission

 

The Biliteracy Pathway is designed to celebrate linguistic diversity and develop students' language skills for future careers and academics. Students can participate in this pathway by completing a course of study in World Languages, including advanced courses, or four years of English as an Additional Language. The pathway prepares students for a comprehensive proficiency exam, administered at the end of the pathway. Based on the exam results and an English language assessment, students may be awarded the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy and/or other awards, such as a digital language badge that represents a student's working language ability. 

Students who receive the MA State Seal of Biliteracy are eligible for up to 15 college credits at institutions like UMass Amherst, Bridgewater State, and Cape Cod Community College, as well as various benefits in the workplace or military. 

Note: Students are not required to participate in the Biliteracy pathway to take the Seal of Biliteracy test. They can test in any language they believe they meet proficiency targets in. Additionally, students in the Multilingual Learners program can use any of their English classes to fulfill the required courses.

Chinese

Required Courses:

• Chinese 3
• Chinese 4 or AP Chinese

Recommended Courses:

---

Latin

Required Courses:

• Latin 3
• Latin 4

Recommended Courses:

• Introduction to the Romans
• Latin 5: The Greco-Roman World

---

French

Required Courses:

• French 3
• French 4 or AP French

Recommended Courses:

• Introduction to the Romans
• French 5: The Francophone World

---

Portuguese

Required Courses:

• Portuguese 3
• Portuguese 3

or

• Portuguese Heritage 1
• Portuguese Heritage 2

---

Spanish

Required Courses:

• Spanish 3
• Spanish 4 or AP Spanish

or

• Spanish Heritage
• AP Spanish

Recommended Courses:

• Spanish 5: The Hispanic World

---

ML English

Required Courses:

• Four credits of English / English as an Additional Language

---

---

The mission of Barnstable Public Schools' Performing Arts pathway is to nurture and inspire all learners through a diverse and inclusive curriculum that spans a broad spectrum of styles and repertoires. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity where all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, can explore, learn, and grow. The performing arts also serve as a platform for students to explore and express their own identities, fostering self-confidence and resilience. Through the BPS Performing Arts program, we aim to equip our students with the technical skills, critical thinking, and social skills necessary for their future. We aspire to instill a deep appreciation for the arts in our students, empowering them to create, collaborate, and contribute to the Barnstable community and beyond. Students may receive graduation credit by following the performing arts pathway.

Level 1

No Prior Experience

• Grade 8 Guitar
• Grade 8 Theatre Production
• Grade 8 Music Production
• 8th Grade Band, Orchestra & Chorus
• Modern Orchestra*
• Music Production 1
• Piano*
• Guitar 1
• Theatre Production*

Level 2

Some Prerequisites

• Music Production 2
• Guitar 2

Level 3

Needs Approval

• Band*
• String Orchestra*
• Chorus*
• Contemporary Ensemble*

---

*Can be repeated for credit

Creative Careers Pathway: Creative careers are an important part of the growing global economy and consist of both fine and performing arts. Students electing to participate in the Creative Careers Pathway will have opportunities to engage in innovation, invention, explore new ideas, create, design, and produce works of art. Several routes are offered within the Creative Careers pathway including fashion design, studio art, journalism, art education, graphic design, animation, and film & television.

The Media Arts & Communications Pathway is designed to give students interested in communications and journalism careers hands-on experience as they produce publications and programs that provide essential communication to the Barnstable High School community.  Students will develop the necessary skills to write, produce, design, and edit original and creative content using industry-standard software.  The experience they gain in this pathway will provide students with portfolios of original published work they can use to apply to top-tier communications colleges including Boston University, Emerson, Syracuse and UMass Amherst, where former BHS students are now majoring in media-related degrees. These courses also connect students with local professionals working in media, as well as the opportunity to attend regional conferences and enter a variety of contests.

This two-credit course meets during a double block of time throughout the school year and provides a work-based educational experience that allows students to learn about a particular occupation or industry by interning for an employer in our community. Internships help students understand how schoolwork, technical skills and personal skills are valued in the workplace. A capstone project will demonstrate the student’s achievement of workplace skills and understanding of the industry. Students will also spend time in the classroom working on valuable employability skills. This class is graded with a letter grade. Students must have a strong academic, conduct, and attendance record to be approved for a Senior Internship.

NCAA Clearing: Does not meet the initial eligibility requirements set by the NCAA.