Career Pathways

Our curricular pathways empower students to self-direct their learning by making course choices to fit their areas of interest and career goals. Each pathway is designed around a broad area of focus:

Visual & Performing Arts
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Entrepreneurship
Humanities

(Pathways have been designed based on student survey data over the past decade regarding students’ interests and career aspirations.)

Electives are designed to support career-readiness and teach specific skills needed. Juniors and Seniors benefit from individualized offerings like internships, virtual mentors or online classes.

Discover Career Pathways in our Course Catalog »

Students are asked to select a pathway by the end of their freshman year, but anyone can change pathways as interests change. The pathways are designed to make sure that students are getting their required credits for graduation no matter which pathway they choose. They appeal to many different types of students, and we have created new classes specifically for these pathways that strengthen their relationship to the themes.

Community Support

In addition to the pathways, Ferndale High School has entered into new relationships and strengthened existing relationships with outside organizations that provide area high school students with non-traditional courses of study, including the Oakland Technical Campus and Oakland Community College, expanding our facilities and teaching resources for every student.

Visual & Performing Arts Pathway

Is your passion for music, dance, theater, or visual arts? Our award-winning Ferndale music department is home to accomplished music teachers who are musicians in their own right. Our visual arts electives offer a wide variety of courses for experimenting across mediums and building a foundational understanding of artistic practice. Ferndale’s dance and theater programs allow our students to showcase their exceptional talents in physical performance. This pathway is for students looking to learn to communicate the human experience through forms of expression that go beyond the limits of language.

Current Arts Electives

Theater I
Introduction to Dance
Theatrical Dance 1
Theatrical Dance 2

Instrumental

Wind Ensemble
Symphony Band
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Orchestra

Vocal

Bel Canto Choir
Concert Choir

STEM Pathway

Do you want to solve the problems of yesterday, today and tomorrow? STEM refers to studying four different models of understanding – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and learning how they relate through real-world applications. This interdisciplinary approach encourages a functional understanding of the sciences to prepare you for exciting, innovating careers in growing industries like computer engineering, computer science, & robotics as well as traditional fields like medical science and engineering. The STEM pathway prepares students to build the future and make it run.

Current STEM Electives

Environmental Science
Intro to Forensic Science
Intro to Programming 1-Coding
Intro to Programming 2-Mobile Computer Science Principles
Intro to Mass Media (Broadcast Arts)
Physics 1
Physics 2
Introduction to Health Sciences
Introduction to College Biology
Introduction to Engineering Design (Project Lead The Way)

Entrepreneurship Pathway

Do you want to work for yourself? Our business and leadership courses will increase your capacity to develop, organize and manage a business in a competitive global marketplace. The Entrepreneurship Pathway will provide you with the knowledge and experience necessary to take smart risks and excel.

Entrepreneurship Electives

Business Management 1
Business Management 2
Computer Applications
Marketing
Sales
Hospitality

Humanities Pathway

Do you want to change society? Studying the great thinkers and change-makers of history will teach you how people are impacted by each other what it means to be human in complex social organizations. You can gain insight into the human experience, both unique and universal, through the study of literature, philosophy, history, and psychology. Through investigations of how humans interact with each other and how societies evolve, you can prepare yourself for a career in politics, law, education, and behavioral sciences. The Humanities Pathway offers insights into how social structures influence us and opportunities to improve them.