College and Career Academies

Yes. Every student will choose a Pathway as part of their freshman year experience. We know that students often don’t know 
exactly what career they want when they’re in high school, and the College & Career Academy model can help students explore 
their interests early on.

Yes. Students can still participate in academic programs like AP and IB alongside their College & Career Academy program. 
Schools are intentionally designing each Pathway so that students can take AP or IB courses that align with their interests and 
graduation goals. In fact, many AP and IB courses naturally complement the Pathways that high schools have chosen to offer.

Yes. We know that extracurricular activities like athletics, band, choir, orchestra, theatre, JROTC, student organizations, and 
others remain an important part of the high school experience. College & Career Academies are designed to complement—not 
replace—these opportunities that students enjoy. When students are on track to graduate, they have space in their schedule to 
take advantage of those opportunities alongside their Pathway courses and experiences.

Yes. The College & Career Academy model is designed so that students continue meeting Oklahoma graduation requirements 
while also preparing for college admission. This means that when a student is on track to graduate, they will still be able to take 
any additional courses that are needed or recommended for college admission or NCAA requirements. Counselors and school 
teams are well-versed in those requirements and prepared to help students navigate those course choices.

That’s completely normal and expected. College & Career Academies are meant to help students explore their interests. 
Throughout the process, students will get to learn about different careers, participate in career exploration activities, and receive 
guidance from counselors and teachers before choosing a Pathway. 

Yes. Students’ interests often change during high school. Pathways remain flexible, and students can change their Pathway choice 
as they move through their classes and learn more about their personal interests, strengths, and goals. School counselors and 
College & Career Advisors will work with students and families to make Pathway choices and changes while keeping students on 
track for graduation and maximizing the impact of the course selection within each Pathway.

Each high school offers Pathways that reflect student interest, community partnerships, and workforce demand. However, we 
can’t offer every pathway at every school. If a student’s desired Pathway is not offered at their home school, students have the 
option during our annual enrollment and transfer windows to select a school that offers that Pathway

No. The Pathways at each high school are designed for exploration. Students gain valuable knowledge and skills while discovering 
what they enjoy—and sometimes what they don’t. This model helps students make more informed decisions about their future 
when they graduate.

Yes. World Language courses remain available and continue to satisfy college admission requirements and graduation 
requirements for current students. Taking a World Language as part of a Pathway can strengthen a student’s career opportunities 
with the addition of that skill.We strongly recommend that students take a World Language as part of their elective courses. 

Yes. Tulsa Public Schools values its long-standing partnership with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College and they are a critical 
piece of the College and Career Academy model. Each Pathway is intentionally aligned with a Tulsa Tech or TCC program, giving 
students even more opportunities to earn certifications, gain technical skills, and prepare for college and careers as they enter 
their junior and senior years.

No. Whether a student plans to attend a university, community college, technical school, join the military, or enter the workforce, 
the College & Career Academy model helps prepare them for their next step. 

Pathways were selected by school teams with district support. The opportunities offered were based on a combination of student 
interest, regional and state workforce needs, and existing site strengths and partnerships. These factors can each change over 
time, and we expect that Pathways will shift to meet the changing workforce needs and the interests of students.

No. College & Career Academies are an academic model, not a vocational track. Every student continues to take rigorous core 
academic courses that prepare them for graduation. The difference is that students will now be able to connect their learning to
a career area of interest.