Hollister High School, located in San Benito County about an hour south of San Jose and the Silicon Valley, is striving to revolutionize education locally by introducing a four-year academy in health science.

The Academy of Health Science Pathway offers students a comprehensive avenue into high-demand, high-wage healthcare careers. Having started in August 2024, this program aims to not only enhance students’ college and career readiness, but also address the escalating demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

Guiding toward a career in health The Academy of Health Science is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the health and medical field. All applicants must be motivated to work hard in rigorous and challenging classes, participate in project-based learning, maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average, and have a positive attitude toward learning and school.

The four-year course of study includes sectors such as Pre-Med, Emergency Medicine, Public Health, Mental Health, and Sports Medicine.

The educators behind this transformative initiative are the lead instructors of the program: Danielle Cote and Casey Fabing. Backed by the collaboration of teachers of core academic subjects at Hollister High, along with industry partners, including Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Gavilan College, the Academy of Health Science is designed to provide students with an exceptional education that integrates both academic and practical learning experiences.

Cote said that students in the academy have their classes planned out for them over the next four years, with at least two classes per grade level linked to support cross-curricular projects. For example, students in the Introduction to Medical Careers class are linked with their English 9 classes, in which they learn about mental and behavioral health.

Students in Fabing’s Sports Medicine classes will have internship opportunities through Hazel Hawkins Hospital and other local medical facilities during their junior and senior years. Many students complete their 75 hours of required dual-enrollment practical work by working with Fabing in the campus training room as well as being part of the sideline medical staff at home and away sporting events.

In Cote’s introductory courses, medical professionals come to class for informational interviews with students, who later in their high school career will do job shadowing and internships. Her freshmen this year are earning their CPR/AED certifications. Next year, they will receive basic life support certification, which is required of all allied health professionals.

Amy Breen-Lema, Hazel Hawkins Hospital’s vice president of clinic, ambulatory and physician services, said the hospital and its clinics, in partnership with the academy, work to identify student interests and educate them about the variety of career options available to them.

“Many think, ‘I want to be an ultrasound tech’ or ‘I want to be a doctor,’” Breen-Lema said. “What we’re trying to do is open their eyes to the variety of positions that are available in health care so that they may consider something that they previously wouldn’t have considered.”

Students will learn about every department in the hospital “to see if a career in health care would be a good fit for them,” she said.

Freshman Trisha Savannah Vo said that the linking of courses through the Academy of Health Science means that a student in English might read about “the different traumas that people experience, like depression and PTSD.”

Moses Victory, a freshman who wants to become a doctor, said, “I know the health academy will allow me to go above and beyond and be able to get a number of my classes done before college.”

Education/career opportunities With its mission to “educate all students to their highest potential so they will have the greatest range of options upon graduation,” Hollister High School aims to set the stage for students to excel in their education and future careers. The Academy of Health Science Pathway is a testament to this commitment, offering a holistic educational experience that nurtures both academic excellence and professional growth.

The Academy boasts an array of innovative features aimed at preparing students for the dynamic healthcare sector: Dual enrollment college credit programs offer students a head start on their higher education journey, while work-based learning opportunities ranging from industry and college tours to internships provide invaluable exposure to the real-world applications of health care practices. Industry-recognized certifications, including first aid, CPR, and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credentials further elevate students’ qualifications and employability.

Project-based learning One of the cornerstones of the Academy of Health Science is its integration of project-based learning (PBL). Through PBL, students collaborate across core and health courses to tackle real-world challenges, mirroring the situations they’ll encounter in their future healthcare careers. This hands-on approach nurtures problem-solving skills and fosters a deeper understanding of health care practices.

The decision to focus on healthcare education aligns with the current demands of the job market. Health care stands as one of California’s most significant job creators, with a sector that employs millions of individuals. The confluence of factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, population growth, and an aging demographic highlights the urgency to expand healthcare services. The backbone of a robust health care system lies in skilled health care professionals, making it essential to equip the state’s workforce to fill high-wage, in-demand health care positions.

Linked learning Grounded in the Linked Learning framework, the Academy of Health Science embodies an approach that connects education with practical career-related opportunities. Linked learning integrates rigorous academics, career technical education courses, work-based learning experiences, and comprehensive support services. By bridging academic subjects with real-world professions, students are better prepared for both higher education and their future careers.

According to the Brookings Institution, work-based learning opportunities in high school not only enhance educational outcomes, but also boost future employment prospects. These experiences provide students with the chance to explore diverse career paths, gain early exposure to college, develop career navigation skills, and cultivate professionalism. For disadvantaged youth, engagement in these programs is associated with higher-quality employment opportunities later in life.

Comprehensive, hands-on learning Claire Grissom, San Benito High School District’s coordinator of career and college readiness, said the introduction of the Academy of Health Science at Hollister High School comes at a pivotal moment in education, particularly within the health care sector.

“By providing students with a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience, the Academy is not only nurturing the next generation of health care professionals, but also fortifying the foundation of the health care industry itself,” she said. “As health care needs continue to grow, investing in the education and development of young talent is an investment in the future well-being of communities and the healthcare system at large.”

“The San Benito High School District and the planning team of teachers felt these courses would bring rigor and relevance to student learning while continuing to provide the greatest range of options for college and career readiness for our students,” Grissom added.