Pathways in Network and Information Technology Program

    The new Pathways in Network and Information Technology Program is a dual enrollment program that enables participating students to earn both a MCPS high school diploma and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from Montgomery College for FREE while in high school.  Both degrees must be completed within a maximum of six years or less.  The AAS degree will ensure that students will meet industry expectations and gain technical skills and workplace competencies as well as industry certifications.  Certifications will be earned in microcomputer technician and network administration in either Microsoft or Cisco or in wireless technologies.  Additionally, the program will afford participating students mentoring and a paid summer employment opportunity within the technical industry in Montgomery County. To ensure that all participating students meet the challenges of this program, students will participate in a summer bridge program every summer including the summer before they enter grade 9, but excluding the summer of their paid work experience assignments.  Completion of this program guarantees students “first in-line” status for consideration of job opportunities with the program’s IT business partners.  

    This program is exclusively offered at Clarksburg High School, and the only entry point for this program is in ninth grade. In addition to admitting students from  Clarksburg High School feeder middle school,  a limited number of students from the following high school clusters are also eligible to apply: Damascus*, Gaithersburg, Magruider, Northwest, Quince Orchard, Poolesville, Seneca Valley*, and Watkins Mill*. Eighth grade students who are interested in applying to the program must register for and successfully complete the required program pathway courses each year. This includes physical education and Foundations of Computer Science (or AP Computer Science Principles) courses during grade 9. All students who are eligible to apply to this program will receive a letter in early October from MCPS that includes the required application link in the ParentVue portal.

    *MCPS Transportation provided. 

    Questions? Please contact Christine Oxenford at  Christine_B_Oxenford@mcpsmd.org.