Exploratory Process for Grade 9

August 19, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians of Ninth Grade Students,

During the week of September 8-11th, ninth-grade students will begin Minuteman High School’s Exploratory process. In career technical education (CTE) high schools such as Minuteman, all students in grade 9 will go through this process to decide which CTE program to choose for their major over the next four years.

The first part of the Exploratory process is called “Mini-Exploratory.” During this time, the grade 9 students will visit all 18 of Minuteman’s career technical education majors. Students will be introduced to the CTE teachers and given an overview of each CTE program. For the veterinary Science program, students will walk to a different building located on the Minuteman campus.

Starting January 22nd, STUDENTS WILL RANK THEIR TOP THREE (3) CHOICES AND WILL BE PLACED IN THEIR SHOPS BY THEIR AVERAGE GRADE OF THEIR FIVE (5) EXPLORATORY GRADES.

At the end of “Mini-Exploratory,” on Friday, September 11th, each student will be asked to select six programs for further exploration. Out of those six selections, the students will be assigned five of their choices to revisit. For the first week, students will attend their 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th choice for one week only. The following eight weeks of Exploratory will be divided into two-week programs with students visiting their top choices.

During the Exploratory process, students will be graded on their five career choices using the attached rubric. Grades will be calculated using five areas including professionalism, willingness to follow instructions, workmanship, learning expectations and attendance & punctuality. Beginning the week of Sept. 25th, exploratory weekly grades will be posted on ASPEN.

Please review the sections below in regards to Attire, Safety & Grading. 

We ask that you please review the grading rubric with your student and emphasize that grading and attendance play an important role in students being accepted in their 1st choice when selecting a career major. Career areas are limited to the number of students who can be accepted for each grade. Students who do not receive their first choice will be placed on a waitlist. All freshmen will be assigned a career major during the week of January 25th.  The school will make every effort to assign students their first choice and at least one of their top three choices.  With the popularity of some programs, we cannot guarantee students their first choice.  Thank you for understanding.  

We strongly encourage parents/guardians to speak with your students during the “Mini-Exploratory” week before they pick their top six programs (on September 11th) to revisit. As your child moves through the Exploratory weeks, it would be a great opportunity to talk to them about their top three final career choices and why they are excited to choose those programs as their future career paths on January 22nd. 

Please contact me via email with any questions or concerns regarding the exploratory process.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Bouchard, M.Ed, C.A.G.S.
Assistant Superintendent of College and Career Education

All ninth-grade students should report to school on Tuesday, September 8th, prepared to start the exploratory process.

Students will receive hard copies of their “Mini-Exploratory” schedule directly after B-block.