FutureReadyNYC in Action: Inside One High School’s Career Launchpad

At Richmond Hill High School, we have always believed that education should do more than prepare students for tests- it should prepare them for life. Through New York City Public Schools’ FutureReady initiative, we are turning that belief into a reality.

FutureReady is not just a New York City initiative; it is a shift in how we think about high school. It connects students to real career pathways, aligns their coursework to their interests, and provides tangible opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. At Richmond Hill High School, we have embraced this vision by developing seven distinct career pathways, including finance, medicine, and other high-demand fields that reflect both student interest and workforce needs.

As principal, I have seen firsthand how transformative this approach can be.

That vision is not abstract. For our Richmond Hill community, it is reality. It comes to life through a vibrant set of academies and pathways that invite students to connect their learning to real ambitions and real opportunities. Our school’s academy offerings include the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Academy of Health Sciences, Academy of Law & Forensics, Academy of Media, Art & Design, Academy of Software Engineering, and STEM Academy, each of which is designed around industry-aligned skills, project-based learning, and career exploration.

Pathways That Make Learning Matter

What makes FutureReady so powerful is that it helps students see school differently. When students understand how a lesson connects to a future in medicine, software engineering, law, design, hospitality, or STEM, school becomes more meaningful and more motivating. NYC Public Schools and Student Pathways both emphasize that FutureReadyNYC is designed to align academics with students’ interests while opening access to college credits and work-based learning opportunities.

That alignment is especially important in a school community as rich and diverse as ours. Students do not need a one-size-fits-all model; they need pathways that honor their strengths, passions, and aspirations. Through the NYCPS Pathways FutureReady initiative, this becomes possible by creating multiple entry points into high-demand and high-interest fields.

Richmond Hill’s Academies

Our Academy of Hospitality and Tourism gives students insight into one of the world’s largest industries, from hotel management and event planning to sports and entertainment. The program is a New York State-approved CTE pathway that builds literacy, leadership, personal finance, project management, and team-building skills through job shadows, internships, guest speakers, and other work-based learning experiences.

Our Academy of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in healthcare through a medical assisting pathway tied to the NOCTI Medical Assisting exam. Students build knowledge in medical office procedures, laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, patient care, safety, ethics, and healthcare law, giving them a strong foundation for further study and professional growth.

Our Academy of Law & Forensics introduces students to legal studies, criminal justice, and forensic science through courses such as Criminal Law, Civil Law, Forensics, and Legal Studies. Students also strengthen their public speaking and analytical thinking through opportunities like Mock Trial and Young Debaters, preparing them for both college and careers in legal and justice-related fields.

Our Academy of Media, Art & Design helps students develop high-level artistic and design skills through studio-based, hands-on work. Students showcase their learning through an annual Spring Art Festival, may exhibit work through organizations such as the Queens Museum and Arts Connection, and can even earn college credit from CUNY York and SUNY Farmingdale.

Our Academy of Software Engineering immerses students in hands-on coding and computational thinking through work in Scratch and Python. The program emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and innovation- skills that are essential for both higher education and success in the modern workforce.

Our STEM Academy is grounded in project-based instruction that integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The pathway emphasizes computer science, engineering, robotics, and problem-solving, helping students build the flexible, innovative mindset needed to tackle real-world challenges.

Britney’s Story

Last night, that transformation came to life in a deeply moving way at the premiere of a New York City Public Schools documentary highlighting student journeys through FutureReady. While the film included students from other New York City schools, the heart of the documentary highlighted Britney's journey through Richmond Hill High School’s medical pathway. Britney, a first-generation immigrant, found her passion and purpose in the medical field through FutureReady and earned nearly 20 college credits through dual enrollment opportunities.

Britney's story reflects exactly howFutureReady helps students do more than imagine a future; it helps them begin building one while they are still in high school. FutureReadyNYC and Richmond Hill’s pathway is built around college credit opportunities, career-connected instruction, and work-based learning that gives students early momentum toward their goals.  

The premiere itself was a powerful reminder of what strong school communities can look like. The packed auditorium, the elegant dresses, the movie-theater concessions, the cheering for students and staff on screen, and the overwhelming pride in the room all reflect how our school community believes every student can make a difference in the world. 

Shared Leadership

As principal, I am proud to highlight these meaningful opportunities- and I am even more proud of the people making it possible. Richmond Hill High School’s success with FutureReady is the result of extraordinary teachers, counselors, support staff, families, and students who have embraced a new vision for what high school can be.  NYCPS Chancellor Kamar Samuels is a steadfast champion of this work, and Dr. Josephine Yeboah Van-Ess sat next to Brittany at the documentary premier- a visible manifestation of how she centers student success at the heart of every decision she makes.

When staff members invest deeply in making instruction more relevant, more rigorous, and more connected to the world, students will enter. My team has collaborated to redesigned lessons, supported dual enrollment participation, helped students navigate career options, and built the kind of school culture where ambition is nurtured and celebrated. FutureReadyNYC’s broader design also depends on educator involvement in career-connected instruction and school-based facilitation of work-based learning experiences.

We have also benefited from strong leadership and partnership beyond our building. Dr. Josephine Yeboah Van-Ess, our superintendent, has supported this vision, and the NYC Student Pathways team has helped create the infrastructure that allows schools like ours to connect students to internships, advising, and college opportunities. Student Pathways publicly describes its role in supporting FutureReadyNYC schools through career exploration, advising, work-based learning, and access to college-connected experiences.

A Model Others Can Adapt

For schools, districts, and leaders looking to bring this kind of work to their own communities, several lessons stand out from Richmond Hill’s experience.

• Build pathways around student interests and real workforce opportunities, so learning feels relevant from the start.

• Pair strong academics with dual enrollment, internships, and industry-aligned experiences, so students do not have to choose between college readiness and career readiness.

• Invest in teachers and school staff, because sustainable innovation depends on adults who are equipped to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunity.

• Celebrate student stories publicly, because recognition builds pride, belonging, and momentum across the whole school community.

Education Reimagined

FutureReady is helping Richmond Hill High School show what education can look like when it is rooted in relevance, opportunity, and belief in students. It is helping young people connect their identities, interests, and talents to tangible futures- and in doing so, it is making learning more meaningful for students, families, and communities alike.

For Britney, and for so many other students in our academies, that future is already beginning to take shape. For Richmond Hill High School, it is a source of immense pride. And for New York City and beyond, it is a powerful reminder that when schools invest in purpose-driven pathways, they do not just prepare students for what comes next- they help them step into it with confidence.