Not All Students Are College-Bound. More Schools Are Paying Attention

Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut, is shifting its approach to post-graduation planning beyond just college preparation. While 86% of the school’s 2024 graduates enrolled in four-year colleges—far above the 45% national average—around 10% pursued trades, apprenticeships, military service, or gap years. Principal Andre Hauser noted the school has become more intentional in addressing the needs of students not bound for traditional higher education, moving away from the longstanding 'college-for-all' assumption. The school now integrates trade-focused opportunities into its curriculum and outreach. A weekly counselor newsletter, previously centered on colleges, now highlights in-demand skilled trades. Four years ago, Amity introduced Trades Week, featuring representatives from 30 trade and industry careers, followed by Medical Careers Week to promote healthcare certifications like EMT and nursing assistant roles. Hauser acknowledged the school previously prioritized academic students but now aims to better support trade-focused learners. National trends support this shift, with a 2025 EdWeek Research Center survey showing 71% of K-12 teachers reporting increased student interest in career and technical education (CTE) over the past five years. The demand for skilled trades is rising, and many students now blend college prep with vocational training. Next fall, Amity will launch its first Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course, which has already drawn twice as many registrants as available seats, underscoring growing student interest in alternative pathways. The changes reflect broader recognition among high school counselors that post-graduation options extend far beyond four-year degrees. Christine Royce, a professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, observed that counselors are increasingly promoting diverse career paths, from apprenticeships to certifications. This evolving narrative aligns with the blurring lines between vocational training and college preparation, offering students more flexible and practical routes to success.