CCPS Plans New Paths Into Skilled Trades, Data Science And Student-Run Businesses

THE SILVERMd. — Learning to weld, studying data science or helping run a school-based business could become part of the high school experience for more Charles County students as the school system develops new career opportunities.

School officials laid out the plan Monday, Oct. 26, during the Board of Education’s work session, along with a proposed data science pathway and school-based businesses run by students. Charles County Public Schools presented the updates as part of its career and technical education push. Some programs are already underway, and others are still being built for future school years.

Learn a Trade Before Graduation

A regional partnership with the College of Southern Maryland would let seniors train in welding, electrical work or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) while finishing their graduation requirements.

Here is how it would work:

Apply: Students apply in 11th grade.
Train: They complete the program in 12th grade.
Schedule: Trade classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Remaining graduation coursework happens through the Virtual Academy on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Students would choose from three options:

The regional model would serve 36 students from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in its first year. Officials said they want to reach students interested in construction trades who have not already entered another career or college prep pathway.

Rebecca Brandt, CCPS director of career and technical education, told the board that CCPS wants to “identify and highlight students that are going into that 12th grade year that may have an area of interest.” The CCPS application process would help determine who can participate and still stay on track to graduate.

Data Science Pathway Planned for St. Charles

A proposed data science pathway at St. Charles High School would blend mathematics, statistics and computer science and give students a head start on college coursework.

The timeline is already taking shape:

2026-27 school year: CCPS, CSM and a program advisory committee develop the content and goals.
Spring 2027: A memorandum of understanding is targeted.
Fall 2027: Eighth graders can apply.
Fall 2028: Accepted students begin at St. Charles.

That makes today’s seventh graders the likely first group eligible.

Officials are exploring a model where college instructors teach courses right at St. Charles, similar to North Point High School’s STEM engineering pathway. CCPS and CSM are also working out how the program could connect to further university study. Officials said discussions with a four-year university are ongoing and that a transfer arrangement is not yet guaranteed.

The proposal would also bring a regional career pathway to St. Charles, where officials said crowding had previously limited their ability to place a program.

Students Run the Business

CCPS is also developing a marketing pathway that would teach branding, advertising and digital content, with possible opportunities to earn Adobe certifications. Officials said they are working with special education transition specialists so students with different learning needs can take part.

The marketing program could pair with school-based businesses that give students real workplace experience on campus. Officials said transportation keeps some students from outside jobs, and Grant said CCPS is “looking to create school based enterprises in each of our high schools, that would offer those opportunities directly within their walls.”

One idea discussed was a beverage business where marketing students team up with students studying food and beverage management. They could create the branding, promote the products and share the work of running the operation.

Officials are developing ideas for a school-based business at each high school over the next two years. The examples presented remain in the planning stages.

North Point’s STEM Pathway Is Already Running

While the newer programs take shape, North Point High School’s STEM engineering pathway is underway. It welcomed its first ninth-grade cohort this school year, with 14 students enrolled.

The accelerated pathway is built for students who completed geometry in eighth grade and emphasizes math, science and engineering. College instructors come to North Point to teach, so students take college courses without leaving their high school.

Officials explained that the pathway does not include all the coursework needed to finish an engineering associate degree before graduation. It instead gives students a foundation to continue at CSM and pursue further university study.

All of it fits into a larger system. Officials said CCPS career and technical education includes 34 pathways across 10 career clusters, with offerings at the county’s seven high schools and the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center.

Need more information? The Charles County Public Schools Career and Technical Education website has a page for each CTE program with a description, location, sample high school schedule, informational video and possible college credits and certifications.

Find meeting recordings on the CCPS YouTube channel and agendas and supporting documents through the Board of Education meeting agendas page.