New academy at Utica High to prepare students for medical careers

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools plans to open an academy at Utica High School next year that will put students on paths toward careers in the medical field.

The district held an informational night last month to introduce district parents to the Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services. The full-day academy will blend core academic subjects with a career and technical education curriculum focused on medical careers.

The district identified three career pathways that the academy will offer — rehabilitation services, public safety and therapeutic services. Rehabilitation services will concentrate on careers including personal trainers, athletic trainers, registered dieticians and occupational and physical therapists. Public safety will involve careers such as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters and criminal investigators. Therapeutic services will focus on patient care technicians, medical assistants, registered nurses, physician assistants and doctors.

The district said that the academy will teach English, social studies, math and science courses that are aligned with state guidelines and have a medical angle to them.

Utica Community Schools Superintendent Robert Monroe said that the district tries to give students many ways to find success, and the academy will be one more option available to them.

“We are pleased to add the Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services to our large portfolio of options. Through this program, we will be able to meet the unique interests of students who want to explore the medical field and give them a competitive advantage to the high paying jobs in the quickly growing field,” he said via email.

The academy setting will be one of its advantages, according to Utica High School Principal Timothy Youngblood.

“The academy approach will provide our students the opportunity to explore their interests in medical studies in a smaller and more concentrated learning environment,” Youngblood said in a press release. “Every student in this program will be working toward a common goal with a full range of courses that support their career interests and passions.”

The program will begin at the ninth grade level for approximately 90 students and will add a grade level each school year. In addition to the curriculum, the program will offer students a medical career expo in their sophomore years, a medical-related job shadowing experience during their junior years and an extended internship during their senior years.

A capstone project will be required of all students in their senior years. The project will involve industry level challenges through Health Occupation Students of America or other challenges identified by professional partners.

The district believes that the academy will boost the number of students who earn college credits while still in high school through agreements with post-secondary institutions and Advanced Placement tests. Students will be able to earn certification through the American Heart Association.

Youngblood said the district has been looking into employment outlooks and where the needs are in the region and across the country.

“We want to create partnerships in the community that will give our kids options. If their choice is to go into the medical field right out of high school, they will be employable right from graduation. If not, we are going to give them a great education to get ready for college. We want to try to reach as many kids as possible,” he said via email.

According to the district’s press release, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in health care careers will grow 13% from 2021 to 2031 and that there will be approximately 2 million new jobs in health care during that time.

UCS worked with partners including Ford Next Generation Learning, Project Lead the Way, Corewell Health (the new name for Beaumont Health) and Macomb Community College in designing the academy.

The Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services will be the district’s fifth high school specialty program and the second school-based academy. Enrollment began Jan. 20. For more information, visit uticak12.org/hhs.