PHOTO PROVIDED Construction Trades students in the Career and Technical Education Center pour a concrete sidewalk.

MILL HALL — The Keystone Central School District continues to work towards ensuring its students are lifetime learners, and they’re prepared for life after graduation regardless of what path they choose.

In 2026, staff at the high school level offered a session for incoming freshmen and their parents to help guide their choices in course selection for the 2026-2027 school year. A link to a video of the presentation can be found here: www.tinyurl.com/KCcourseselection.

The goal of the district’s customized learning focus is to offer customized learning that will lead students into their potential future career.

“This allows high school students to really think about their passions and where that will carry them after high school,” Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon said. “We want to connect their interests and the experience of learning together.”

The career pathways, Redmon said, began to take shape in 2024, with last year the final planning and vetting stage.

PHOTO PROVIDED Keystone Central’s Health Occupations students taught Central Mountain Middle School eighth graders CPR.

“We want to do our best to provide meaningful options for our students,” he said.

According to information shared on KCSD’s website, the following career pathways are available for students:

— Business, Technology and Information Systems

— Education, Public Service and Law

— Arts, Media and Hospitality

PHOTO PROVIDED Students at Bucktail High School are pictured with Harry the Hynerpeton and a variety of local elected officials who have supported the change of the state fossil to the locally found fossil.

— Health and Human Services

— Engineering, Industry and Environmental Systems

These pathways give students the opportunity to explore their interests, develop essential skills and prepare for success in college, careers and life.

“Each pathway is built around the Pennsylvania Career Clusters and informed by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlighting fast-growing, high-demand fields,” according to information from the district’s website.

This new program introduces students to the concept in eighth grade, with the goal to help them select their pathways going into high school.

PHOTO PROVIDED Career and Technical Education Director Kurt Lynch and Central Mountain High School Principal Nick Verrelli are pictured during a presentation in January 2025 which provided an update on the CTE Center and other opportunities students are provided to further their education.

By tenth grade, students formally choose a pathway that matches their interests and goals and it then guides their course selection and experiences throughout the remainder of high school.

Redmon noted each pathway can take on a different look for each student.

“The Career Pathways program empowers students to graduate not only with a high school diploma but also with a clear sense of direction, practical skills, and confidence in their future — whether they plan to continue their education, enter the workforce or pursue technical training,” information on the district’s website notes.

Redmon further stated students do not have to strictly take classes involved in their pathway, and may explore other opportunities as well during their high school career.

These pathways can take students into a typical classroom setting, the Career and Technical Education courses or even co-operative job opportunities and more as they progress.

PHOTO PROVIDED Third graders spend time with a first grader or kindergartener during the Student to Student program at Mill Hall Elementary School.

Below includes a brief description for each pathway offered:

Business,

Technology and

Information Systems

This pathway brings together the worlds of business strategy, finance and technology. Students explore how organizations make smart decisions, use data and create efficient systems in today’s fast-paced, digital world.

PHOTO PROVIDED Students are seen during a presentation before the Keystone School District Board of Directors.

Education, Public Service and Law

This pathway emphasizes service, justice and education. Careers range from teachers shaping the next generation of innovators to public safety officers ensuring community wellbeing. All roles share a commitment to helping people, upholding laws and providing structure in society.

Arts, Media

and Hospitality

This pathway combines creativity, storytelling, and experience design. Whether in media, digital arts or hospitality, these careers bring people together, communicate ideas and deliver meaningful experiences. All rely on innovation and adaptability in customer-facing industries.

Health and Human Services

This pathway addresses health and human well-being. From high-skill practitioners like NPs and PAs to critical support roles such as home health aides, these careers meet the rising demand of an aging population and increased focus on preventative and rehabilitative care. They all share a dedication to helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Engineering,

industry and

environmental

systems

This pathway connects skilled trades, construction and renewable energy with a focus on building and maintaining essential systems. Careers range from electricians and plumbers powering communities to engineers leading the transition to clean energy. The unifying theme is technical expertise, problem-solving and sustainability.

More information about the career pathways can be found by visiting www.tinyurl.com/kcsdcareerpathways.

Dual Enrollment,

Co-Op and more

The Keystone Central School District in both of its high schools offers multiple dual enrollment opportunities through partnerships with area universities such as Pennsylvania College of Technology and Commonwealth University.

It also offers students the opportunity to take part in job shadowing, co-op programs and more during their senior year to provide hands-on training and employment following graduation.

SUPERINTENDENT TALKS

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AT KCSD

The launch of its Career Pathways Program isn’t the only thing happening at Keystone Central.

Redmon spoke about a variety of accomplishments students have seen in the last year.

In particular he highlighted the continued efforts by students at Bucktail High School in changing the state fossil to the Hynerpeton bassetti.

State Senator Cris Dush (R-25) sponsored Senate Bill 829 which was unanimously passed by the senate and State Representative Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) sponsored the House Bill 1554 is currently awaiting review in the State Government Committee.

Though it’s still up in the air on whether these bills will become law, Redmon said it was great to see the students — both past and present — engaging with such an endeavor.

“It’s a really positive sign in terms of our students’ engagement in civics and sciences,” he said. “I’m hopeful we can push that through before the current senior class graduates.”

Redmon noted there have been a number of student athletes, performance arts students and those in clubs such as SkillsUSA who are continuing to positively represent the district by showcasing their skills.

“Our students are really showing their talents,” he said.

The district is also continuing its work on improving the culture in climate in each of its facilities.

“We’re doubling down and really looking at student data to improve the education experience,” Redmon said. “Across all classrooms we’re working towards help in collaborations and more.”

One way this is being done is increasing group activities in the classroom.

“We want to teach them to learn together and even help each other,” he said, emphasizing the community aspect of this initiative.

The inclusion of two building facilitators at its elementary schools have also helped improve climate and culture.

This includes the integration of the Student 2 Student mentor programs at Robb and Mill Hall elementaries, with plans to expand to the other buildings, and other partnerships that see younger students and older students interact in a positive manner.

“Once kids feel seen, heard and loved it makes them want to come to school and learn,” Redmon said.

The district is also continuing to see strength and growth in its English Language Arts (ELA) and math.

“Our initial numbers are seeing results in growth for both of these at the middle schools and elementary schools,” he said.

The Career and Technical Education Center continues to see growth thanks to its staff and director, Kurt Lynch.

“Kurt and his team are doing an amazing job. We’re seeing an increase in our diversified education and co-op programs,” he said.

The CTE is also continuing to offer adult courses.

“We’re always doing what we can to support the community through adult programs,” he said.

This interconnectivity between the community and education is one way to help foster lifelong learners with its students.

“Interconnectivity is important, learning is always multifaceted,” he said. “The more students see that, the better connection we see.”