Apprenticeship Maryland Program

The ACPS Youth Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) is designed to allow students to both earn a salary and high school credit while learning essential job skills. This program is available to high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, and gives them the opportunity for a potential career path following graduation.

Benefits

Forming employer relationships while attending high school
Earn a salary and four (4) high school credits
Learn marketable industry skills
Work with highly skilled mentors
Receive a State Skill Certificate upon completion

Requirements

Junior or senior at any ACPS high school
On track for graduation
Good attendance
Ability to perform 450 work-based learning hours
Reliable transportation

What jobs are currently available?

Visit www.ampallegany.com to see available job posting. The website will continuously be updated with new job postings as new employee partners are secured.

How to apply?

Applications are available in the school guidance offices or by visiting the Allegany County AMP website www.ampallegany.com to see available job postings. The website will continously be updated with new job postings as new employee partners are secured.

Bobcat Academy

The Bobcat Academy is a partnership between Allegany County Public Schools and Frostburg State University that allows eligible high school seniors to attend classes on the FSU campus while earning both high school and college credit. Students enroll as full-time college students and gain firsthand experience with college academics and campus life before graduating from high school.

Students are expected to:

Commit to the program for the full academic year.
Maintain a minimum 3.0 college GPA and earn at least a "C" in each course.
Follow FSU academic, attendance, and student conduct policies.
Demonstrate the independence and responsibility expected of college students.

Students who do not meet program expectations may be placed on probation or removed from the program.

Additional Information:

Transportation to and from FSU is the responsibility of the student and family.
College grades become part of both the high school and permanent college transcripts.
Students must meet ACPS and FSU eligibility requirements to participate.

Chinese Partial Immersion Program

West Side Elementary School began hosting a kindergarten partial immersion Chinese program at the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Students enrolled in the program will continue through grade five and have the opportunity to develop communicative and academic proficiency in both Mandarin Chinese and English.

The school system will once again hold two regional informational meetings in March to provide parents with a general understanding of the program model and program goals as well answer questions and address concerns. Click on the brochure on the right for the meeting dates, locations and times. Parents are encouraged to attend one of these meetings before submitting an application for the program.

West Side Chinese Partial Immersion Program Video

Focus on the Future

In an effort to raise student awareness regarding the importance of academic achievement related to career preparedness and to promote economic development in Allegany County by keeping Allegany County Public School graduates locally employed, Allegany County wants to ensure students meet the demands of the job market in their future.

To do so, ACPS hosts an annual event called Focus on the Future. This year's event will be held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds November 3 and 4, 2026.

Two men presenting on graphics, audio/visuals to a group of kids.

Students watching a man present with a train set up on a table.

Women presenting to a group of kids about the Cumberland Theatre.

Group of kids and adult participating in an activity.

Maryland's Career Clusters

Arts, Media, Communication

Maryland offers great opportunities for careers in the Arts, Media and Communication. Students interested in this cluster combine creative abilities with technical skills and knowledge that prepare them for careers in Video Production, Graphic Communications, Web Design, Interactive Media and Game Design. Maryland CTE programs include a focus on mass communication and graphic communications, and multimedia production.

FOTF - Arts, Media, Communication Cluster Intro - Overview Video

Business Management and Finance

Construction and Development

Advances in science and technology will continue to drive innovation in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. These advances will also impact infrastructure systems, including new design concepts, construction materials and methods, and the application of information technology. Maryland high school construction-related programs allow students to advance their knowledge of specific construction trades, design or construction management.

FOTF - Construction & Development Cluster Intro - Video

Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism

Programs in consumer services, hospitality, and tourism prepare students for a variety of career options and further education. Each program includes options for students to earn industry certifications and/or college credit in the career field. Students who are interested in culinary arts, restaurant management, lodging management, or cosmetology, engage in real-world experiences through internships and mentoring opportunities.

FOTF - Consumber Services, Hospitality, Tourism Cluster Intro - Video

Environmental, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

The agricultural sector is a highly competitive industry creating new challenges in identifying global and domestic markets; improving business planning, financing, risk management, and productivity; and reducing costs. Advances in science and technology, in particular biotechnology, will continue to drive innovation and growth in this career cluster. Growing public concerns over natural resources, environmental quality, and public health will continue to expand the role and scope of the natural resource management and environmental services sectors.

FOTF - Environmental, Agricultural, & Natural Resources Cluster Intro - Video

Health Biosciences

Career and Technology Education programs in the Health and Biosciences Cluster focus on preparing dedicated professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue challenging and rewarding careers and further education. These programs require students to apply knowledge learned in science and mathematics to professions in the Health and Biosciences field. These careers are among the fastest growing and highest in demand in the country as the population ages and health care needs continue to increase. Students are prepared for positions in direct patient care settings, research and laboratory facilities, as well as for opportunities in business and management related to health care. These programs also provide career development experiences for students who want to pursue careers in medical professions, such as physicians, research scientists, nurses, and other exciting careers.

FOTF - Health & Biosciences Cluster Intro - Video

Human Resource Services

Advances in scientific knowledge and increased public awareness of social problems and issues are contributing to a demand for high-quality social services. Public concerns over crime, security, and emergency response and the increased demand for legal intervention in business and communities will continue to drive the growth of law enforcement, emergency services and legal services. The continuous need for professionals in education fields, especially in the critical shortage areas, offers creative ways to engage young people early on in the teaching profession.

FOTF - Human Resource Services Intro - Video

Information Technology

FOTF - Information Technoloy Intro - Video

Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology

Programs in the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Cluster prepare students for a variety of career areas, including opportunities to become engineers, engineering technologists or technicians. Students engage in real-world projects that strengthen their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By completing challenging projects related to design, manufacturing process applications and quality improvements, students are being educated about a high-performance workplace using advanced technologies. To remain internationally competitive, employers need employees who can develop and use new technologies that will continuously improve the quality of life for Marylanders.

FOTF - Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Intro - Video

Transportation Technologies

Advances in science and engineering are producing major innovations in transportation technology, resulting in faster movement of people and goods at lower costs and with fewer environmental and safety risks. These innovations require higher-level skills to manage and maintain transportation equipment. High school programs provide opportunities for students to prepare for careers in the automotive industry.

FOTF - Transportation Technologies Intro - Video

Leadership Allegany Rising

Leadership Allegany Rising is a program offered by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, and made possible by member sponsorships. It is open to all Allegany County high school students entering their junior year. The program is modeled after the Chamber’s very successful Leadership Allegany program.

Leadership Allegany Rising will accept nominations until the end of August from school counselors from each high school, both public and private, in Allegany County. The program is dedicated to providing positive change by creating a network of future leaders committed to impacting their community. The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce believes that our future is tied to strong leadership, and the more informed and involved our youth become, the stronger the community.

In a forum of open discussion and interaction, class members will gain the knowledge and motivation to effect positive change within the region. Educational topic days, designed for class participation and dialogue, will cover Healthcare/ Social Services, Government, Economic Development/ Business/Career, and Higher Education. All program activities will be led by industry leaders and will occur within the scheduled school day. This seven-month program begins with an orientation in September and concludes with graduation ceremonies in March. High school juniors interested in participating should contact their school counselor and must complete an application. Up to four students from each high school in Allegany County will be accepted. There is no cost to participate. For additional information, contact the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce at 301-722-2820 or visit the Chamber's program page.

Attention Incoming High School Juniors!

The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Allegany Rising Program is dedicated to promoting positive change by creating a network of future leaders committed to impacting their community.

Topic Days Include:

Orientation & Leadership Development
Healthcare/Social Services
Government
Business/Economic Development/Career
Higher Education

Begins in September!

Up to four high school Juniors will be chosen from each high school in Allegany County.

Contact your school for more information.

P-TECH Program

Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, Allegany County Public Schools began to offer incoming ninth grade students the opportunity to participate in an early college program through the Allegany County Pathways in Technology Early College High (P-Tech) Program at essentially no cost. This opportunity is made possible through collaboration between ACPS, Allegany College of Maryland, the Western Maryland Health System, and other businesses and industries in Allegany County.

The P-Tech program is a high school and beyond (9-14) model, which combines high school, college and the world of work. The program’s mission is to provide students with a free education that starts in grade nine, continues through high school completion with a high school diploma, and culminates in the attainment of an Associate Degree in Computer Technology.

Participating students will gain workplace skills and have access to mentoring and other career experiences through a partnership with WMHS.

The ultimate goal of the P-Tech program of study is for students to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Technology with a Cybersecurity option within two years of graduating from ACPS. Students who move through the coursework at an accelerated pace will have other options available. These students can potentially earn a second Associate of Applied Science Degree in another option within the Computer Technology program within six years or transfer to Frostburg State University to complete a Baccalaureate Degree in a computer science field.

5th Grade Outdoor School

Apply to be an Outdoor School Volunteer

Interested in being a volunteer?

Outdoor School Volunteer Online Application

All fifth grade students in ACPS have the opportunity to attend a week-long residential outdoor school at the 4-H Center in Garrett County, Maryland.

The Western Maryland 4-H Center is owned and operated by the University of Maryland and Cooperative Extension, and is used by a variety of groups. The camp site has rustic cabins, staff cabins, heated shower houses with bathrooms, and a spacious dining hall. Additionally, the center offers indoor and outdoor teaching facilities, covered pavilions, an archery area, a low ropes challenge and team-building course, and a campfire circle.

4-H camp staff members are responsible for teaching classes, and regular classroom teachers attended as well to assist with lessons. All lessons are created to align with state standards. Topics studied can include erosion and soil, compass and GPS, cells and microscopic organisms, owl pellets, and the wetlands. The 4-H center provides students with unique outdoor learning opportunities and is equipped with a fresh water marsh, bog, and swamp.

This residential program is free to students and parent volunteers.

All fifth-grade students in ACPS have the opportunity to attend a weeklong residential Outdoor School at the Western Maryland 4-H Center in Garrett County, Maryland.

Students enjoy access to indoor and outdoor teaching facilities, covered pavilions, an archery range, a low ropes challenge and team-building course, and a campfire circle for evening activities.

4-H camp staff lead engaging, hands-on lessons, with ACPS classroom teachers assisting throughout the week. All instruction aligns with Maryland state standards, and topics may include erosion and soil, compasses and GPS, cells and microscopic organisms, owl pellets, and wetlands. The center’s freshwater marsh, bog, and swamp provide students with rich, real-world learning environments.

This residential program is free of charge for both students and parent volunteers.