Career Pathways

Illinois offers two state-recognized College and Career Pathway Designations:

• Distinguished Scholar
• College & Career Ready

To earn the College & Career Ready designation, students must meet the following criteria:

• A 2.8 or higher GPA
• 95% attendance during junior and senior years (no more than eight absences per year)
  • Completion of either the College and Career Pathway endorsement or all of the following:
  • One academic indicator in English Language Arts or Math
  • A declared career area of interest
  • Three career-ready indicators

We believe the most meaningful and supportive way for students to meet these expectations is through earning the College and Career Pathway endorsement. This endorsement reflects an individualized learning plan that includes:

• A rigorous sequence of coursework
• Career exploration
• Team-based challenges
• Sixty hours of hands-on career development

HF is intentionally aligning Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and Career-related Programmes to create a cohesive and equitable academic system.

This alignment ensures that every student—regardless of the pathway they choose—has access to challenging coursework and opportunities to earn early college credit. By connecting IB, AP, and Dual Credit to the state’s College and Career Pathway Endorsements, we strengthen academic readiness, deepen career-focused learning, and support each student’s Individual Learning Plan from freshman year through graduation.

HF now offers pathways across all seven state-recognized career clusters:

• Agriculture
• Arts and Communication
• Finance and Business
• Health Sciences
• Human and Public Services
• Information Technology
• Manufacturing, Engineering, and Trades

These pathways allow students to explore interests, build transferable skills, and connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requires students to earn six hours of early college credit aligned to an approved pathway. At HF, students can earn these credits through three avenues:

• Advanced Placement coursework
• Dual Credit classes (offered at HF or on a college campus)
• International Baccalaureate courses

By combining these options, students can meet endorsement requirements in flexible and accessible ways.

HF currently offers 19 approved College and Career Pathway Endorsements, spanning departments such as business, STEM, fine arts, public services, journalism, cybersecurity, welding, and more. These endorsements reflect both the strength of our academic programs and the dedication of our teachers.

To further expand access and student choice, the HF Board of Education has approved new IB, AP, and Dual Credit courses for the 2026–27 school year. In many cases, existing high-quality courses were aligned with IB, AP, or Dual Credit standards. In others, brand-new courses were developed to ensure students can pursue rigorous learning aligned with their interests.

Both the IB Career-related Programme (CP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) offer world-class academic rigor, while serving students in different ways.

The IB Career-related Programme:

• Combines two DP academic courses
• Includes a career-aligned internship
• Features a Personal and Professional Skills course with community engagement and reflection

The IB Diploma Programme:

• Requires six academic courses
• Includes Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay

Both programs develop global thinking, critical inquiry, and college readiness. The CP Programme offers greater flexibility, allowing students to pursue career interests while earning an IB certificate.

The Class of 2028—this year’s sophomores—will be the first group eligible for the College and Career Pathway endorsement. These students will select pathway-aligned courses as they register for their junior year.

• Rising sophomores and incoming freshmen are encouraged to review pathway options and recommended preparatory courses.
• Rising seniors may enroll in any newly approved courses.

The 19 available pathways reflect extensive student input. By listening to student voice, HF has developed pathways aligned with students’ college and career aspirations.

Each pathway guide provides a clear structure to support planning and flexibility.

• Courses listed in bold are required for the endorsement.
• Courses in italics may be taken in flexible years.
• Prerequisites are noted where applicable.

Each guide also includes:

• HF graduation requirements to ensure students remain on track
• Career-related learning activities
• Four-year university admission suggestions
• A list of potential careers

Importantly, pathway courses account for only two of the 22 credits required for graduation, ensuring students maintain flexibility to participate in choir, band, fine arts, athletics, and other electives they enjoy.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.