Plans for reforging St. Paul's Humboldt Secondary Complex seem to be growing exponentially, with officials now working with several potential partners to not only create an environmental studies program, but to start another track focusing on college and career preparation.

Hamline University, the College of St. Catherine, the Will Steger Foundation, Dodge Nature Center and Valley Branch environmental learning center have been joined as potential Humboldt partners by Genysys Works, Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman and various technical programs at St. Paul College.

What it means, said longtime Humboldt supporter and parent Donald Luna, is that Humboldt has a chance to become a place where students mold 21st century careers.

"It's going to be a school where you can actually see what it is that education is going to get you," Luna said of the plans for internship, mentorship, apprenticeship and engineering opportunities. "Everything you do at that point is preparing for the specifics."

Mike Sodomka, principal of Humboldt High School, said there's still much work to be done to prepare for the 2008-09 school year. But creating an environmental studies program from scratch, as well as giving Humboldt students a pathway into the building trades or a two-year or a four-year college education is energizing teachers, parents and students, he said.

"There's no stopping us," Sodomka said.

The exact shape and curriculum of the environmental studies track still is taking form. The school is having ongoing meetings with officials from Eco Education, the Hamline Center for Environmental Education, the Steger Foundation and others.

Road to college, career

At the same time, the Career and College Preparation track is gaining heft, Sodomka said.

Genysys Works will take Humboldt juniors over the summer to give them informational technology (IT) training. Then, as seniors, Humboldt students will be placed in IT jobs at companies, spending a third of their day in real world careers, Sodomka said.

In addition, the school is in conversation with the bricklayers union to create a mentorship program for Humboldt seniors. Those students then would move into apprenticeship programs after graduation and, in four years, become full journeymen for bricklaying and tile work.

The school is updating its facilities, including its industrial grade kitchen, to allow students to continue learning food preparation and culinary arts with their student-run cafe. And, through the school district's partnership with St. Paul College, Humboldt students will be able to earn high school and college credit in several areas, including culinary arts, pre-engineering, IT and construction trades.

Sodomka said the program continues to evolve. When the environmental studies track was introduced, some worried there wasn't a clear connection to career training or college prep, the principal admitted. This dual focus seems to have alleviated those concerns.

Wide appeal

Tim Williams, principal of the attached Humboldt Junior High School, said each theme appeals to different groups -- but they could also dovetail. Technology classes could study alternative energy sources. Students could study careers in pollution control. Themes and community projects could show a real connection between the environment and career training.

"They have the ability to come together nicely," he said. A community meeting about Humboldt's new direction is scheduled for Tuesday.

Lisa Boehlke, a longtime teacher at the school, said staff members like the direction Humboldt is heading. And dual tracks make sense.

"We want our students to be trained. We want them to have a good education. We all know that just a high school education is not going to meet their needs," Boehlke said. "And the environmental studies focus is certainly very, very topical."

Humboldt students could someday install wind turbines to power the school. They could make practical connections between their education and modern careers.

"How do we make education accessible for students who don't come to school with their feet already on the educational ladder?" she said. "This can do that."

Luna, who has two sons attending Humboldt, said the West Side's most talented kids have for years chosen other high schools. This new focus has a chance to pull them back.

"I think once they are up and running and the programs have time to find themselves, it's got to help the school," he said.

James Walsh • 651-298-1541