Caroline Aims to Produce “College and Career Ready” Graduates

DENTON – Graduation season is fast approaching for the Class of 2026, and Caroline County Public Schools is continuing to expand the ways students can prepare for life after crossing the big stage. Whether that means attending a four-year university, entering the workforce, joining the military, or pursuing trades and technical careers, CCPS hopes to mold “college and career ready” graduates.

CCPS offers a wide range of programs aimed at helping students identify career interests, gain hands-on experience, and earn college credit before graduation. Many of the initiatives are coordinated through the school district’s College and Career Readiness Team, which includes Director of Career and College Readiness Lindsey McCormick, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness Eric Cook, Work Based Learning Navigator Jason Bruns, and Career Coach Rob Gowen. These staff members work to connect students with educational opportunities, business partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, career fairs, and postsecondary planning resources. Some of these programs and initiatives are in-house, and others rely on partnerships with local businesses as well as state-wide organizations.

For those seeking a postsecondary degree at a two or four year school, there are a couple of ways CCPS students can get a jump on their college credits. Certain Advanced Placement (or AP) courses allow students to complete college-level coursework and take a final exam to potentially earn college credit. Dual enrollment options - provided through Chesapeake College - also allow many juniors and seniors to take real college courses with real professors. Each option provides the opportunity to earn credits that count toward both high school graduation and the students’ future college degree.

Outside of earning early credits, some students qualify for further services to guide them in the process of pursuing higher education. CCPS works with the federally funded Trio Upward Bound program, which supports low-income and first-generation college students through tutoring, counseling, cultural enrichment activities, and summer programming focused on college preparedness. Next Generation Scholars, a partnership with the Maryland Business Roundtable, is also designed to help students from underserved communities develop their talents and graduate with the tools to chase their dreams.

Some of the best partnerships are those closest to home. In addition to dual enrollment offerings, Chesapeake College provides students with tours of the academic side of campus, as well as specialized tours of their technical or trade-based courses. At University of Maryland Eastern Shore, local high school students can gain leadership development, financial literacy, mentorship, and career readiness skills by participating in programs like “Man on the Shore.”

But CCPS recognizes that college is not the desired pathway for many students. The district has had a longtime focus on the trades via the Caroline Career and Technology Center at the North Caroline high campus, which has provided courses in fields like Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Agriculture, and Construction Technology for decades. These opportunities - most of which provide graduates with a field-recognized certification or credential - have expanded to also include the Academy of Health Professions, Advanced Manufacturing Professionals, Food and Beverage Management, Firefighter and Emergency Medical programs, Teacher Academy of Maryland, Computer Aided Drafting and Design, and multiple Project Lead the Way pathways in engineering, biomedical sciences, and computer science.

Now, hopeful tradespeople can even get connected with real-world experiences and apprenticeships in their desired field through partnerships between CCPS and local businesses or organizations. Registered apprenticeship students complete classroom instruction and on-the-job training before graduation, while youth apprenticeship students complete at least 450 hours of paid work-based learning alongside related coursework. 

College and career readiness also comes in the form of individual connection with students. Career Coach Rob Gowen works with students on career assessments, resumes, interview preparation, mock interviews, and business and college tours. CCPS also organizes career and military fairs throughout the school year. Work Based Learning Navigator Jason Bruns helps coordinate those events while serving as a connection between the school system and the local business community.

In addition to partnerships with colleges and businesses, CCPS also collaborates with workforce development organizations, including the local Workforce Investment Board, to help students better understand employment opportunities available both locally and beyond Caroline County.

Further expansion of CCPS’ Career and Technology Education programs and initiatives will continue, with some big structural and programmatic changes expected to be implemented during the 2027-2028 school year.

The Class of 2026’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for May 27 at Colonel Richardson High School and May 28 at North Caroline High School. CCPS officials say the goal is to ensure graduates leave Caroline County Public Schools with clear pathways toward future success, rather than hand them a diploma and usher them out the door.