IHAIA-PRC1 - CTE Pathway Exploration for Middle School Students

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IHAIA-PRC1

Adopted:  January 31, 2026
Amended: N/A

In support of guaranteeing middle school students’ awareness of career and technical education (CTE) and vocational opportunities outside of Hopkinton High School, HPS has established the following guidelines.  These guidelines serve as the procedure required by Hopkinton School Committee Policy IHAIA.  

Career/Technical Education Schools

Residents of Hopkinton are eligible to attend the following CTE schools:

Keefe Regional Technical School (“Keefe Tech”)
750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA 01702
https://www.keefetech.org 

The school offers the following programs:

Automotive Technology; Carpentry; Cosmetology; Criminal Justice; Culinary Arts; Dental Assisting; Design and Visual Communications; Early Childhood Education & Teaching; Electrical; Health Careers; Horticulture and Landscape Management; HVAC/R; Information Technology;  Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies; Plumbing; Programming and Web Development

Norfolk County Agricultural High School (“Norfolk Aggie”)
400 Main Street, Walpole, MA 02081
https://norfolkaggie.org

The school offers the following programs:

Animal and Marine Science; Agricultural and Diesel Mechanics; Environmental Science; Horticulture (Plant) Science

Promotion of CTE Schools

The Hopkinton Public Schools creates awareness of available CTE programs for all students in grade 8.  Hopkinton Middle School oversees the following actions and activities:

1. The Middle School releases the DESE-created CTE awareness video to families via its regular family newsletter (on or before October 15)
2. The Middle School distributes promotional materials and information to families from and provided by CTE schools
3. Counselor-led presentations about CTE opportunities for all students, taking place during Hiller Block or another class period, each fall (on or before October 15)
4. Individual meetings with students, at the recommendation/request of a student, counselor, or administrator, to discuss CTE opportunities
5. Keefe Tech visit and tour (sponsored by Keefe Tech) for the entire eighth grade each fall
6. Students are supported to visit and tour Norfolk Aggie during the school day.  The Middle School may coordinate visits/tours with Norfolk Aggie on behalf of a student or family.  Visits/tours conducted during the school day are considered as part of the school day, and students are not marked absent for their visit.

Middle School Career Exploration/MyCAP

Beginning in grade 7, Hopkinton students engage in learning that helps inform their awareness of secondary and postsecondary opportunities, including identification of academic and career goals.  This learning takes place as part of counseling workshops and is embedded through academic coursework across the curriculum.  

The District is currently in the process of memorializing this curriculum as part of its use of the DESE My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP). MyCAP is a structured process that helps students explore their interests, skills, and values starting in middle school. This self-discovery process guides students as they research high school pathways and make informed decisions about which school or specialized CTE/vocational program, that best aligns with their emerging goals.  Hopkinton students are already engaged in much of this learning and guidance through existing experiences and opportunities.  

Updated 1/31/2026