College and Career Readiness

The Advanced Placement pathway is designed for students who seek rigorous, college‑level academic coursework while in high school.

Key Features

• College‑Level Coursework
  Students enroll in AP courses aligned to national college‑level standards.
• Exam‑Based Rigor
  Students complete standardized AP examinations to demonstrate mastery of course content.
• Opportunity to Earn College Credit
  Successful exam scores may result in college credit or advanced standing at many postsecondary institutions.

Requirements

AP Pathway completion requires:

• Completion of at least five AP courses during high school. Of these five courses, at least two courses must be in the same content area
• Earning a score of 3 or higher on at least three AP examinations associated with the five designated pathway courses
• Earning a final course grade of C or better in each of the five designated AP courses used to satisfy the option requirements

Note: Students may enroll in and complete more than five AP courses during their high school career; however, only five are required for the pathway.

Financial Support from CCPS

Calvert County Public Schools will cover the cost of:

• Up to two (2) Advanced Placement examinations per year for students during their ninth and tenth grade school years; and
• Up to three (3) Advanced Placement examinations per year for students during their eleventh and twelfth grade years.

The Career and Technical Education pathway provides students with structured preparation for high‑skill, high‑demand careers through technical coursework and applied experiences.

Key Features

• Industry‑Recognized Credentials
  Students earn certifications and credentials valued by employers and industry partners.
• Work‑Based Learning
  Students participate in internships, clinical experiences, and other authentic workplace learning opportunities.
• Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities
  Some programs lead directly into registered apprenticeships aligned with state and federal standards.
• Broad Access
  CCPS offers multiple CTE programs across career clusters aligned to regional workforce needs.

Purpose and Outcomes

The CTE pathway prepares students with transferable skills and credentials for success beyond high school by:

• Integrating technical training with academic and professional skill development
• Connecting students directly with employers and industry-recognized experiences
• Supporting seamless transitions to employment, apprenticeships, technical colleges, and two and four year degree programs for continued study and career preparation

This pathway supports students seeking to enter the workforce with credentials while maintaining options for future college enrollment.

Requirements

CTE pathway completion requires:

• Completion of an approved CTE program of study
• Earning one or more industry-recognized credential aligned to the CTE program of study

Financial Support from CCPS

Calvert County Public Schools will cover the cost of industry-recognized credential (IRC) examinations for students who are enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway.

The Early College pathway allows students to earn college credit while completing high school graduation requirements through partnership with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).

Key Features

• Early College – 12^th Grade One‑Year General Studies Certificate
  Students may complete a one‑year postsecondary certificate while still enrolled in high school.
• Early College – 11^th and 12^th Grade Two‑Year Associate Degree Programs
  Some students complete an associate degree in Business Administration.
• Dual Enrollment Credit
  Courses are transcript on both high school and college records.

Purpose and Outcomes

The Dual Enrollment pathway accelerates post-secondary achievement by:

• Reducing the cost of college through credits earned in high school
• Shortening time to college degree completion
• Allowing students to transition smoothly into two‑year degree or an institution for higher education

This pathway is particularly effective for students seeking early access to college and a structured transition to higher education.

Requirements

Early College Dual Enrollment pathway completion requires:

• Earning either a one-year General Studies certificate or a two-year Business Administration degree through CSM
• Prior to enrolling, students must have met the majority of their graduation requirements. Students should review their earned credits with their school counselor before applying to the Early College program

Financial Support from CCPS

Calvert County Public Schools provides financial support for Early College and Dual Enrollment opportunities through the College of Southern Maryland.

• CCPS pays for junior and senior participation in Early College programs at the College of Southern Maryland; and
• CCPS will cover the cost of up to four college courses per school year for students enrolled in approved dual enrollment courses.

These courses may include courses taken on the College of Southern Maryland campus from the approved list; and dual enrollment courses offered on CCPS high school campuses or online in partnership with CSM.