Griggsville-Perry High School partners with JWCC to provide Career Pathway Endorsements in agriculture, business and nursing

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Griggsville-Perry High School (GPHS) has been approved for Career Pathway Endorsements in business, nursing and agriculture through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), making it one of the few schools in the region to achieve this distinction. These endorsements provide students with structured opportunities to gain industry-relevant skills, college credit and real-world experience, ensuring they graduate ready for career success or further education.

“We are thrilled to offer Career Pathway Endorsements in Agriculture, Business, and Nursing,” said Allison Dokey, GPHS guidance counselor, in a press release. “These pathways provide our students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, earn college credit, and build a strong foundation for their future careers. By completing a Career Pathway Endorsement, students demonstrate to colleges and employers that they are committed to succeed in their chosen fields.”

As part of the endorsement process, Griggsville-Perry partnered with John Wood Community College (JWCC) to offer six credit hours within each pathway, allowing students to jumpstart their college education while still in high school.

Currently, 18 of Griggsville-Perry High School’s 84 students are enrolled in JWCC’s Smart Start Concurrent Enrollment program. Dokey expects participation to grow with the addition of ISBE endorsements and the availability of scholarships, which cover half the cost of concurrent enrollment classes at JWCC for Pike County high school students.

“John Wood Community College is proud to support Griggsville-Perry High School in obtaining Career Pathway Endorsements,” said Brittany McKeown, Head of Enrollment, Registrar and Financial Aid Services at JWCC. “Earning college credentials in high school helps save students time and money as they pursue career paths, and we applaud GPHS for their work. If Griggsville-Perry students continue their studies at JWCC, they will have a clear path to a certificate or associate degree as well.”

Career Pathway Endorsements are part of ISBE’s efforts to align high school education with workforce needs, offering students a clear route from school to career success. More information on Career Pathway Endorsements can be found at https://www.isbe.net/pathwayendorsements.

The ISBE endorsements will appear as a seal on GPHS transcripts starting Fall 2025 denoting students’ achievements to prospective employers and colleges.