Waterford — In an effort to better market Waterford High School’s elective classes and keep students in Waterford’s public school system who might be tempted by the specialized offerings of the region’s magnet schools, district officials have announced a "pathways" program that will go into effect next school year.

The initiative will divide the school’s elective and extracurricular offerings into six college and career pathways — marine and environmental science, health services, STEM, leadership and public service, business and hospitality, and arts and communications – that administrators say students will be able to follow if they have already expressed an interest in a future career or area of study.

“Kids in this region have a choice of 11 or 12 different high schools,” Superintendent Thomas Giard said. “We want to make sure we have those same or similar offerings.”

The pathways won’t add any new classes to the school’s curriculum, but will act as guidelines for students choosing classes each semester at WHS.

A high school freshman who has already expressed interest in working in the medical field, for example, could choose classes from the health services pathway and take WHS classes in first aid, AP biology, abnormal psychology or Spanish for health care.

A student who thinks they might want to major in political science could consider courses like criminal justice or journalism in the "leadership and public service" pathway.

Waterford High School Assistant Principal Alison Moger said the six pathways were developed to match up with industries and college majors that are drawing high numbers of high school graduates in Connecticut.

“We looked at where a lot of our kids form Waterford tend to end up,” Moger said. “It covers the gamut.”

For now, the pathways are entirely voluntary, and participating won’t create any new requirements for students, Giard said.

Eventually, he said, the program could expand and be officially noted on graduates’ transcripts.

But for now, he said, focusing on one area of study in high school could help students know whether they’re really committed to it before paying for a semester — or more — of college.

“Kids may want to explore things,” Assistant Superintendent Craig Powers said. “Maybe try a pathway and say, 'maybe not.' It’s financially better than two years of spending college money and then saying ‘eh, not for me.’”

And, Giard said, it’s a good way to get the word out about Waterford High School’s specialized programs and lesser-known electives.

The district’s administrators will pitch the program to parents of Waterford middle school students at a 6:30 meeting at the high school on Tuesday evening.

“I’ve heard had a number of parents say, ‘we had no idea there was a marine science program at the high school,'” Giard said. “(This is) really making sure we’re communicating and marketing what we do. It’s getting kids excited about school, and keeping them excited about school.”

m.shanahan@theday.com