Most students will take a series of related elective courses we call "Pathways." You must take at least 3 courses over the next 4 years in a particular pathway to be a "pathway completer". (Parents, look at this the same way you understand a college major.)
Click on each pathway below to see descriptions and an introductory video (if available).
Prerequisite: Intro to Art or Visual Arts/Comprehensive I
Additional Courses: Drawing/Painting
Description: The 2D Visual Art Pathway is in place to nurture young artists and create a platform for them to develop a powerful and personal visual voice. Beginning with Introductory art, the 2D pathway may continue through drawing and painting, photography, or a combination of the two. The completing student may continue up through advanced photography and/or Advanced Portfolio Development (Drawing and Painting 3 and 4) culminating in a senior thesis exhibition, mural fabrication, and other public art opportunities.
Prerequisite: Intro to Art or Visual Arts/Comprehensive I;
Additional Courses: Photo
Description: The 2D Visual Art Pathway is in place to nurture young artists and create a platform for them to develop a powerful and personal visual voice. Beginning with Introductory art, the 2D pathway may continue through drawing and painting, photography, or a combination of the two. The completing student may continue up through advanced photography and/or Advanced Portfolio Development (Drawing and Painting 3 and 4) culminating in a senior thesis exhibition, mural fabrication, and other public art opportunities.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Prerequisite: Intro to Art or Visual Arts/Comprehensive I
Additional Courses: VA Fashion Design
Description: The 3D Pathway is in place to encourage and challenge the spatial awareness and skills of the student. The culminating student will be included in exhibitions of their work in Advanced Portfolio Development (Drawing and Painting 3 and 4) and/or in the Senior Fashion class show.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Prerequisites: Theater I
Additional Courses: Acting I/II; Advanced Drama
Description: The Acting and Directing pathway specializes in performance, either as an actor on stage or in front of the camera, or as a director for theatre and/or film. Students will work on character development, ensemble building and working as a team culminating with directing a one-act play, a short film or performing for a public audience in their senior year.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Courses: Audio-Video Technology & Film I/II/III
Description: The Audio Video Technology and Film pathway prepares students for employment or entry into a post-secondary education program in the film, video and television career fields. These industries are emerging in Georgia therefore many opportunities to work in the industry will be available. AVTF students work in front and behind the camera producing Grady High School's news and sports shows. SkillsUSA is our co-curricular student organization providing more experiences for leadership and content growth.
CLICK HERE to see the band in action CLICK HERE to see more about the band
Courses: 3 years of Band courses
Description: Georgia Performance Standards for Band supports the National Association for Music Education (MENC) expectation of promoting a comprehensive, balanced and sequential music education for all students based upon the National Standards for Music Education. Georgia Performance Standards for Band are arranged in four categories: Skills and Techniques/ Performance, Creation, Critical Analysis/Investigate, and Cultural and Historical Context. The standards help organize the curriculum into manageable and related units designed to guide the student through valuable musical experiences. Band standards are divided into four experience skill levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced and Mastery. Since the time allotment for band class varies across the state, the levels are based on student progress rather than on an academic school year.
(Current 9th and 10th graders who are taking or who took Intro to Software Technology can take the SECOND COURSE in this pathway. You don't have to take the 1st course. You will get credit for all courses as part of your pathway completion.)
FIRST COURSE: Intro to Hardware Technology
SECOND COURSE: Intro to Cybersecurity
THIRD COURSE: Advanced Cybersecurity
Description: The first course in the Cybersecurity Pathway is a full-year high school course that covers the fundamentals of networking. It is equivalent to a college-level Introduction to Networking course. The course interweaves essential networking concepts with relevant, hands-on problem-solving activities to maximize students’ understanding of network hardware and configuration, the use of protocols to enable reliable and accurate transmission of data between different hosts around the world, and relevant security practices that secure the transmission of data within and between computer networks.
The second course in the Cybersecurity Pathway is a full-year course covering foundational cybersecurity concepts and skills. It is equivalent to a collegiate Introduction to Cybersecurity course. Students will explore the current cyber threat landscape to understand the types of adversaries faced by organizations and the techniques adversaries use to compromise systems and data. Students will learn how vulnerabilities create risk and how organizations implement security controls to manage that risk. Topics in the course include physical, operational, application, and network security; security controls; cryptography; access control; attacks and detection; response; and recovery. Students will research emerging trends in cybersecurity and get hands-on experience implementing security protocols.
Average salary for cyber security jobs increased 4% from $119,860 in 2022 to $124,740 in 2023.
The number of people working in cyber security increased 7.2% from 163,690 in 2022 to 175,350 in 2023.
Employment per 1,000 people (the number of jobs in the given occupation per 1,000 jobs in the given area) increased 5.62% from 1.014 in 2022 to 1.071 in 2023.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
1st Course: Found/Engineering
2nd Course: Engineering Concepts
3rd Course: Engineering Applications
Description: Engineering & Technology Pathway combines hands-on projects with a rigorous curriculum to prepare students for the most challenging post-secondary engineering and technology programs. The students will build solid writing, comprehension, calculation, problem-solving, and technical skills. The students will be encouraged to take relevant math and science courses, such as advanced algebra, chemistry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, physics, design, and engineering concepts. Students who like to be challenged and enjoy working in teams on engineering problems will benefit greatly from this pathway. In addition to classroom and laboratory experiences, Engineering & Technology Pathway students participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). Activities in Technology Student Association promote leadership skills, high standards of craft quality, scholarship, and safety. Through Technology Student Association, the students have the opportunity to explore your community’s industrial and technological resources, practice parliamentary procedures and democratic decision-making, and earn recognition for exemplary performance. The students that complete the program three years successfully and pass the NOCTI test for the Engineering Pathway program will receive certification from the State of Georgia as well as a certificate, medallion, and CTAE cord.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
1st Course: Introduction to Drafting & Design
2nd Course: Survey of Engineering Drawing
3rd Course: 3D Modeling & Analysis
Description: Engineering Drafting & Design Pathway combines hands-on projects with a rigorous curriculum to prepare students for post-secondary drafting programs. The students will build solid spatial visualization, hand lettering, sketching, hand drafting and CAD skills. In addition, writing, comprehension, calculation and drafting and design tool skills and technical expertise will be gained. By virtue of the courses modeling the real world of drafting and design, students will design and draft products for “clients” who they are responsible for communicating with professionally. Students are encouraged to take relevant math and science courses, such as advanced algebra, chemistry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, physics, as well as 2D and 3D art. Students who like to be challenged, enjoy working in teams, and are piqued by the visual representations produced for architecture, engineering, landscape design, fashion/decor, advertising, and building/construction will benefit greatly from this pathway. In addition to classroom and computer laboratory experiences, Engineering Drafting & Design Pathway students participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). Activities in TSA promote leadership skills, high standards of craft quality, scholarship, and safety. Through TSA membership and participation, students have the opportunity to explore industrial and technological resources in the community, practice parliamentary procedures and democratic decision-making, and earn recognition for exemplary performance. The students that complete the program three years successfully will receive certification from the State of Georgia as well as a certificate, medallion, and CTAE cord and are prepared to pass the Autodesk certification for the platform of choice (REVIT, FUSION 360, INVENTOR).
Course 1: Introduction to Financial Technology
Introduction to Financial Technology is the foundational course for the FinTech (Financial Technology) pathway. The course is a fundamental course that explores what new financial technologies are emerging and how technological advances in data analytics are enabling innovation in the financial industry. Through this course students examine new services and business models in various areas of banking, insurance, and financial asset management. Students will not only understand the concepts but will apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions, decisions, and choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Various forms of technologies and internet research will be highlighted to expose students to the resources available within financial technology.
Course 2: Financial Technologies and Services
This course covers the foundations of financial technologies and services. The course focuses on the usage of technology that powers financial ecosystems, digital finance platforms, mobile payments, and digital asset management. Students will explore the characteristics and functions of electronic and mobile payment systems. Various forms of technologies and internet research will be highlighted to expose students to the resources available on financial technology (FinTech).
Course 3: Coding for FinTech
This course covers the design and development of dynamic, data-driven financial applications using client- and server-side architecture. It focuses on various application development techniques for user and mobile friendly design. It also introduces how to develop financial applications conforming to the industry standards. Various forms of technologies and internet research will be highlighted to expose students to the resources available on financial technology (FinTech). In this course students will develop a functional model financial application across the full development stack from model to view, using the Model-View-Controller (MVC) programming paradigm.
Courses: 3 Guitar courses
Description: The Georgia Performance Standards for Guitar are designed to be used in homogeneous, group-instruction acoustic guitar classes in grades six through twelve. The standards are based on the MENC National Standards for Music Education and are designed to provide a sequential and developmental framework for students from beginning through the mastery level. They are arranged in four major categories: Skills and Techniques/Performance, Creation, Critical Analysis/Investigate and Cultural and Historical Context. The standards are organized into the following grades and levels: 9th – 12th Grade: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Mastery.
Journalism - Unmasking, the Literary Magazine
CLICK HERE to see the introductory video
Description: The Unmasking literary magazine serves any student with previous journalism experience who demonstrates an interest in reading, analyzing and producing creative writing. As members of the literary magazine, students will gain first-hand experience compiling, designing marketing and editing a published work. The Unmaking received the Pacemaker Award in 2016, the top award given by the National Scholastic Press Association.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Journalism: Southerner newspaper, Nexus magazine and Southerner and Nexus Online, Social Media and Multimedia
Description: The Southerner newspaper and Nexus arts and culture magazine and their online, social media and multimedia components are student-driven, from story generation to editing, publication design, photography, fund-raising and distribution. The staff also produces video and podcast and other multimedia content for the online platforms. The publications have a daily social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Southerner newspaper, which averages nearly 10,000 readers online a month, has a long-standing tradition as Georgia's top high school newspaper. The Southerner is a 2020 and 2019 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown winner. Yearly, the Southerner is rated All-Georgia, the top rating given by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. The 16-page print newspaper is published monthly and has published every year since the school’s inception in 1947. Nexus magazine is a 24-page, superior-rated arts and culture magazine that provides opportunities for students to create arts and entertainment and lifestyle-themed content in print and online. The Southerner and Nexus are members of the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, Quill & Scroll and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association.
Important Southerner and Nexus Links:
Journalism: Orator Yearbook
CLICK HERE to view the introductory video
Description: Any student who wants to preserve memories of Midtown High School is welcome to join the Orator yearbook. There's room for everyone: Writers, photographers, designers, marketing gurus, and other creative individuals. Students will dive deep into the publication process--from developing a yearbook theme and designing the layout of each section, to creating stories, captions, and pictures from scratch to comprise yearbook content, to devising a marketing plan to ensure we generate business funds. Endless leadership opportunities exist within yearbook, for the class is run as a small business. The Orator is a member of the Georgia Scholastic Press Association and received a Superior rating in 2020 and 2019.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Courses: 3 years of JROTC (This will also fulfill the REQUIREMENT to complete Personal Fitness AND General Health.)
Description: The Junior Reserve Officer’ Training Corps is a leadership education program. This program will help students build a strong knowledge base of self-discovery and leadership skills applicable to many leadership and managerial situations. Mastery of the Army Junior ROTC standards through project-based learning, service learning and leadership development activities will prepare students for the 21st Century leadership responsibilities. The curriculum focus is reflected in its mission statement, “To motivate young people to be better citizens.” This program intends to teach students to:
Maximize potential for success through learning, self-management and development of employ-ability “soft skills”
Develop leadership skills
Incorporate principles of mental and physical wellness into behaviors and decisions with health and wellness awareness
Build effective relationships with peers, co-workers, and the community with information and communications skill development
Apply physical and political geography to building global awareness
Understand the importance that financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy have in the work force
Correlate the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to the purposes of the U.S. government through civic literacy
Relate events in U.S. history to choices and responsibilities Americans have today
Characterize the role of the military and other national service organizations in building a democracy and maintaining peace in a democratic society.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
1st Course: Marketing Principles
2nd Course: Promotion and Professional Sales
3rd Course: Marketing Communications Essentials
Description: Marketing Communications and Promotions is one of three pathways in the Marketing Cluster Marketing communications signifies messages and related media used to communicate with a target market. Marketing communications is focused on the product or service and is primarily concerned with demand generation and positioning of the product or service. Promotion is one of the marketing mix elements used to increase demand and differentiate a product. In addition to obtaining knowledge and skills in professional sales and marketing, marketing information management and research, distribution and logistics, global marketing, and e-marketing, students participating in Georgia’s Marketing Communications and Promotions Pathway will focus in depth on oral and written communications, marketing communications in relation to specific products and services, promotions as a key component of the marketing mix, and the effect of marketing communications and promotions on product/service branding and customer buying behaviors. This pathway culminates with an opportunity for students to take the MBA Research “A*S*K Marketing Concepts” end of pathway assessment or the Oklahoma Consortium (MAVCC) “Marketing Education Manager Trainee” end of pathway assessment. Students may earn a credentialing certificate.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Prerequisites: Musical Theater
Additional Courses: Acting; Chorus; Musical Theater; Advanced Drama
Description: The Musical Theatre pathway mixes two disciplines together: Theatre and Music. Classes are taught by both the Theatre and Music staff. Students will focus on vocal and dramatic work, practicing and performing in large musical ensembles while honing their skills in solo work. Student work culminates with performance in a full-length musical theatre performance and/or directing a musical theatre performance for a public audience.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Courses: 3 years of Orchestra
Description: Develops musicianship skill through the performance of orchestra literature with a focus on individual and ensemble techniques. Orchestra participates in several concerts per year. Students may also play the school musical.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
1st course: Marketing Principles
2nd course: Intro Sports/Entertainment Marketing
3rd course: Advanced Sports/Entertainment Marketing
Description: This pathway is aimed at students with business and marketing aspirations. While it focuses on the Sports and Entertainment industry, the skills developed in this pathway can be applied to any business setting. It is geared toward both college-bound students and students planning to directly enter the workforce upon graduation. Students in this pathway will deepen their understanding of the Sports and Entertainment industry by working directly with local businesses and participating in DECA, the marketing club. Through state and national DECA competitions, students have the opportunity to apply skills they have developed in the classroom. Guest speakers and field experiences add real world relevance and depth to the curriculum. Upon completion of the pathway, students will be able to develop promotional plans and materials, secure a job in sales, and demonstrate proficiency in writing business communications.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Prerequisites: Theater I
Additional Courses: Tech Theater II/III; Advanced Drama
Description: The Tech Theatre pathway specializes in design and implementation of sets, lights, sound and costume for theatre and film. Students will focus on several tech roles in theatre and film, culminating in designing or stage managing a show or working behind the camera in a film for a public audience in their senior year.
CLICK HERE to watch the introductory video
Courses: 3 years of Chorus
Description: The Vocal Music Pathway is designed for students that enjoy singing and want to develop their vocal and musical skills. Students will have opportunities to perform individually and in large and small ensembles, in a variety of styles and genres in and outside of the school environment. Upon completion, these singers will be prepared to participate in professional or collegiate choral/vocal programs or to study vocal music at the college level.
1st Course: Introduction to Career Competencies
2nd Course: Career Competencies
3rd Course: Advanced Career Competencies
Description: In this course students acquire employability skills that ease their transition to the workforce. Specific skills within the course provide additional opportunities for students to sharpen academic and employability skills, financial literacy, multiple forms of communication strategies, mastery of technology and specific-related tools, workplace safety, and self-advocacy approaches. These essential skills and concepts need to be taught in an individualized basis to meet the academic and workplace skill-needs of students. Through participation in this career pathway, students will learn about the world of work by achieving academic challenges, participating in project-based learning activities, workplace enrichment experiences, and participation in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that provides inner-personal and group-related leadership skills.
In this course students will use various opportunities and settings to demonstrate knowledge and application of employability skills acquired in prior courses. Specific skills within the course provide additional opportunities for students to sharpen academic and employability skills, financial literacy, multiple forms of communication strategies, leadership skills, mastery of technology and specific-related tools, workplace safety, and self-advocacy approaches. In this course students will have heavy exposure to workplace and community experiences, complete and present career portfolios, complete a community/school service project, hone leadership skills, and earn business and industry recognized credentials. These essential skills and concepts need to be taught in an individualized basis to meet the academic and workplace skill-needs of students. Through participation in this career pathway, students will learn about the world of work by achieving academic challenges, participating in project-based learning activities, workplace enrichment experiences, and participation in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that provides inner-personal and group-related leadership skills.