Burlington High School Receives Grant for Cybersecurity Education
Burlington — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 11 high schools across Massachusetts will participate in the College Board’s AP Career Kickstart Cybersecurity Pilot, a national initiative aimed at expanding access to cybersecurity education and preparing students for careers in one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation. Most colleges will award students credit for AP scores of 3 or higher. This pilot, designed to introduce cybersecurity concepts into Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, will provide students with foundational knowledge in cybersecurity and exposure to industry pathways, along with the opportunity to gain college credit.
Photo Credit: Margot Murphy/Governor's Press Office
“In Massachusetts, we want to open doors for our young people, especially to STEM pathways. This pilot is a great opportunity for our students to learn about cybersecurity and have an opportunity to gain college credit for it,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By empowering them to see STEM as a viable, exciting pathway to their future, we will inspire the next generation of innovators.”
“We’ve heard from employers across the state that the reason they choose to be in Massachusetts is because of our incredible talent pipeline. Initiatives like this AP Cybersecurity Pilot provide more pathways for students, strengthening our tech workforce pipeline and economy, driving our competitiveness and building a brighter future for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
This announcement was made during a STEM Advisory Council meeting at the Northeastern University Biopharma Analysis Training Laboratory (BATL) in Burlington, an organization used by one of the Pilot recipients, Burlington High School, in their Innovation Career Pathways Information Systems program. Schools participating in the pilot program, like Burlington High School, will receive access to College Board resources to support implementation, including curriculum materials and guidance on integrating cybersecurity concepts into AP coursework, as well as training and professional development for educators. Participating schools will pilot the program in the 2025-2026 academic year, with the goal of scaling successful models.
“Whether it’s an AP course, an Early College Program or another pathway offering, we want to provide students with the opportunities that will help them realize their dreams in fields like cybersecurity and beyond,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am looking forward to seeing this pilot in some of our schools this coming school year.”
Massachusetts is home to a thriving cybersecurity sector, employing over 30,000 cybersecurity workers according to Cyberseek data. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlights the growing demand for cyber fields nationally as Information Security Analysts employment is expected to grow by over 30 percent over the next 10 years. The AP Career Kickstart Cybersecurity Pilot aligns with the administration’s broader workforce development and STEM education priorities, ensuring that students are prepared for the future economy. This initiative also aligns with the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council’s mission to promote STEM education and workforce readiness, furthering the administration’s commitment to fostering high-demand STEM fields through targeted investments and educational programs.
The program will be implemented with support from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and aims to engage industry and higher education partners to enhance learning opportunities. Schools participating in the pilot will have access to College Board resources to support implementation, including curriculum materials and guidance on integrating cybersecurity concepts into AP coursework.
This pilot follows Massachusetts’ student success with AP courses. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced last month that a third of students who graduated from Massachusetts public high schools in 2024 scored a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, the state’s highest percentage ever and the highest in the nation for the second year in a row, according to results released by the College Board. A score of 3 out of 5 on an AP exam shows a student’s ability to complete work for an introductory college-level course in that subject area. Additionally, Massachusetts continues to see gains in the percentage of Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students who take an AP exam while in high school.
“We want all students to have access to challenging coursework that is relevant to the real world, and the AP cybersecurity pilot is a great opportunity,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston. “I’m glad to see 11 high schools make this available to their students.”
"We applaud Massachusetts for their leadership in providing students access to this course that will immerse them in this critical discipline and open pathways to good careers,” said College Board CEO David Coleman.
"Burlington is committed to preparing students for college and careers and we are offering AP Cybersecurity as part of our Innovation Career Pathways. Our district and industry partners see tremendous value to students when we offer career-focused academic courses that lead to credentials and college credit," said Burlington Public Schools Superintendent Eric Conti.
Schools with Cybersecurity Pilots:
- Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational-Technical High School
- Clinton High School
- Joseph Case High School
- New Bedford High School
- VHS Learning
- Winchester High School
Schools with Cyber Networking Pilots:
- Burlington High School
- Lynnfield High School
- Melrose High School
- Pembroke High School
- Westfield Technical Academy
For more information on the AP Career Kickstart Cybersecurity Pilot, visit College Board’s website.
Press Release via Mass.gov.
