Dozens of seniors from Hardy Williams High have been selected to participate in an exciting dual enrollment pilot program in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) this spring. 

The program aims to support students in gaining certification to become IT professionals, certified medical assistants, or sterile lab processing technicians over the course of the spring semester. It also serves as a testing ground for Mastery and CHOP to fine-tune elements of the curriculum, work-based experiences, and mentorship they plan to offer students starting in August 2025, when Hardy will relaunch as a healthcare-focused high school thanks to funding awarded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. 

The Health Institute at Hardy (HIH), as it’s now been officially named, will integrate instructional and experiential designs into everyday education to immerse students in clinical care, hospital operations, and healthcare administration and prepare them for in-demand careers in healthcare upon graduation. 

“Our partnership with Mastery represents an incredible opportunity to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through this dual enrollment pilot, students are gaining real-world experience, industry-recognized certifications, and the mentorship they need to succeed. Watching these young leaders step confidently into their futures is truly inspiring,” added Nijah Famous, Director of School Partnerships at CHOP.

Students participating in the spring pilot engaged in a week-long boot camp to kick things off. The event, designed and facilitated by leaders from Mastery and CHOP, educated students on the responsibilities and expectations of the roles they plan to pursue, challenged participants to identify their superpowers, and helped students discern and articulate what excited them about working in healthcare. 

Jeremiah Previlius, a senior at Hardy Williams High pursuing certification as a medical assistant via the pilot, said about the boot camp: “This was a very beneficial experience! I enjoyed the guidance I received from the speakers and teachers. They not only gave advice for our desired fields, but they also gave us great advice to apply in our lives. They really care about our growth and want us to succeed!”  

With the boot camp now completed, students are ready to tackle their coursework. “We are excited to provide this opportunity to seniors at Hardy Williams High. They are prepared to embark on promising careers in healthcare, and we look forward to seeing their accomplishments,” said Kevin Zimmer, Senior Director of High School Redesign for Mastery Schools. 

Check out photos from the event below and stay tuned for more news about the official launch of HIH this summer.