The visionaries who founded Career Pathways, formerly known as Metropolitan Education for Future Employment, wanted to serve students who needed a small nurturing school environment that could help them build the skills and knowledge they needed for life beyond 12th grade. Students could then take all they learned and decide what post-secondary route they wanted to take.
The Founders envisioned a flexible learning space that included mixed-age classrooms, blended classes that linked to enriched online curriculum and hands-on learning that engaged learners in real life lessons. A diverse and dynamic staff was chosen to help steer the inaugural year. They were a very intrepid team who went above and beyond to make 2015-16 a special opening year.
The Founders recognize that each learner’s path is unique and not always on a straight line to a four-year college. They wanted to be inclusive of all students who see their post-secondary as a series of steps and stacking of certificates and degrees. To help our learners access the most resources, the founders always intended for Career Pathways to be as centrally located as possible within the Twin Cities. Our original site was located in South Minneapolis. Once that building sold, we found a suitable location in the Midway Neighborhood of St. Paul.
Strategic Priorities
Current goals include:
- Academic Growth
- Creation of an Affiliated Building Company to purchase our facility
- Financial Stability with a fund balance of 15%
- Stakeholder Satisfaction
Annual Budget: $1.75 million – Primary revenue sources are state and federal funding based on enrollment
Skills
Career Pathways is seeking board members with skills in the following areas:
- Facilities and Real Estate
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Public Policy and Advocacy
In 2019 Career Pathways was recognized by the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools for Different and Innovative Teaching Methods.
In 2018 and 2019 Career Pathways earned the Minnesota Department of Education School Finance Award.
Our student population is very diverse and over 80% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Most of our graduates are the first in their families to go on to college or trade school.
Information
- Number of members currently: 8
- Meeting time and frequency: 10 meetings annually
- Meeting location: Saint Paul
Expectations
- Time Expectation: Up to 5 hours/month
- Financial Contribution Required: No
- Service on Committee Required: No
- Length of Term: 3 Years
- Renewable: Yes
- Does nonprofit carry liability insurance? Yes