UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell announced this week that the school system is the state’s first to offer two new Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) schools at one location.

On the first day of the 2017-18 school year, Dr. Maxwell was joined by partners from Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital and Marriott to launch two pathways for Frederick Douglass High School students into postsecondary education and careers in Health Information Management and Hospitality Services Management.

The 60 students in the two P-TECH cohorts will gain in-demand career skills. Students on the Health Information Management track will learn skills including medical billing and computer coding. Students in the Hospitality Services Management program can earn industry certifications in food safety training, hotel management and meeting and event planning.

“With the support of our community college and local businesses, we are equipping students with skills for high-wage, high-demand career fields,” Dr. Maxwell said. “It is exciting to know our students can leave high school with a diploma, a degree and the skills to be first in line for employment consideration.”

“The college is thrilled to once again partner with PGCPS in a new opportunity for students to achieve their dream of higher education and gainful employment in health information management and hospitality services management,” said Dr. Charlene Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. “To recognize that in just four years these young people will walk across the stage with both a high school diploma and an associate degree is why we all do the work we do each day.”

Students have up to six years to complete P-TECH, which includes paid internships and mentoring.