My high school had a work study program that was designed for students that weren't planning to attend college (IE: auto mechanic, electrician, cosmetologist). It allowed these students to get a job before they even graduated, and made their job search significantly easier. As a senior, I was the first student to take advantage of work study with the intention of going to college. It took many meetings with the principal and my teachers, but was worth working for a startup in NYC :).