Frequently Asked Questions

ICP 

We currently have the following Pathways: Information, Advanced Manufacturing (STEM), and Education. 

To grant students coursework that aligns with potential future career placements, like internships, job shadows, co-ops, and more. It is a great way for students to see if they want to pursue a future career, and figure out if they want to pursue higher education in this field. This program is specifically for students who want to continue taking advanced classes at WHS, while also completing an internship or capstone project their senior year. 

Enrollment is open to all students, but we want students to start the program as soon as possible. Freshmen will be introduced to the program during their MyCAP seminars, and encouraged to apply before the end of their first semester. If the program is overenrolled, then participation will be determined by lottery. To ensure equitable access, we recruit and encourage students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

ICP program provides students work-based learning experiences, while they still have a full class schedule both semesters at WHS. Work Study students go out to their worksite during their second semester everyday, which means they do not take classes. Work Study students complete their course and graduation requirements in the fall, so then they can do a full time job placement. Students who want an internship, but want to take a specific AP or year-long course may find the ICP program as a better fit. 

100 hours is the minimum requirement for any Innovation Career Pathway culminating experience (capstone or internship). This minimum translates to 3 to 4 months, which is the equivalent of a typical semester or summer – long enough for a student to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, gain practical experience, and complete deliverables that are of value to the student as well as the employer. We track student attendance, engagement, and learning outcomes in a variety of ways including timesheets, journal reflection, and more. 

Students in grades 9-11 can complete any type of work-based learning experience after school, during breaks, or over the summer. During their senior year, students can complete their internship during their fall or spring semester, or they can do it over the summer before senior year. There may even be cases where students visit their placement throughout the year. All enrolled ICP students will present their internship experience or capstone project at the end of the school year. 

No, a student cannot complete more than one ICP program. Students may take courses in other available ICP pathways at Walpole, if they desire, but they can only complete one Innovation Career Pathway. 

For upperclassmen, it is encouraged early on for students to get their license as soon as possible. This makes it easier for students to arrive at their worksite location. Underclassmen students who complete an internship after school, over the summer, or over break will need to provide and find their own transportation. A part of the program is ensuring that all students have access to these opportunities, so we work with students to figure out transportation. 

Capstones are culminating experiences that demonstrate the story of a student’s learning and development through the lens of their passions and goals. They are extended and structured learning processes; students have autonomy in developing their product or experience in collaboration with educators, advisors, and mentors. In Innovation Career Pathways, capstones with the following characteristics may be developed to meet the 100-hour career immersion experience in lieu of an internship:

• They must include structured work readiness activities and work-based learning experiences outside the classroom; in a capstone specifically, this could include an individual or a group project focused on research, service learning, or related activity to serve as the “capstone project.”

• A well-developed rubric will govern students’ development of a high quality end product; successful products will be determined to meet or exceed minimums defined by the school and communicated clearly on the rubric.

• Students will use their "internship / study" time allotted in their schedule to complete the project. 

• Students will present their project to the school and local community in some form.