Stafford Schools Introducing Career Pathways

Stafford students looking to pursue vocational training without leaving the district will have 13 new choices starting next school year. At the March 10, 2026 Board of Education meeting, Stafford High School Principal Marco Pelliccia unveiled the new pathways which are tied to state initiatives and designed to let students obtain Industrial Recognized Credentials by graduation. 

Clusters of courses, along with suggested clubs, will lead students down a path to achieving a specific IRC, such as an OSHA certification, by the end of their high school careers. Students can enroll in a pathway at any time—or decide it’s not for them—all while still getting a traditional education that allows them to pursue further training or go straight into the workforce. And, if a student is particularly ambitious, they can pursue more than one pathway. 

The Career Pathways Stafford’s students can pursue in the 2026-2027 school year are:

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Agriculture

• Arts, Entertainment, & Design

• Construction

• Digital Technology

• Education

• Energy & Natural Resources

• Financial Services

• Healthcare & Human Services

• Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

• Management & Entrepreneurship

• Marketing & Sales

• Public Services & Safety

Pelliccia told the board that these may be modified according to student interest in the future, but that the pathways would be introduced to this year’s eight graders in the coming week. 

To learn more about the courses required and IRCs associated with each pathway, watch the meeting recording and Pelliccia’s full presentation.

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