Academic & Career Planning

CAREER AWARENESS (GRADES K - 5)

Elementary level students:

• Explore a wide range of careers
• Develop school readiness and workplace skills
• Discover their personal strengths and interests
• Recognize different learning styles and select those that best suit them
• Experience entrepreneurship through the Junior Achievement “Our Region” program

CAREER EXPLORATION (GRADES 6 - 12)

Grade level opportunities:

• Complete career interest inventories
• Explore 16 Career Clusters and pathways
• Write a career research paper
• Develop an understanding of labor market information
• Participate in the Heavy Metals Tour and Adventure Day
• Explore interests through elective coursework
• Complete a Financial Literacy course
• Engage in student organizations and co-curricular activities

CAREER PREPARATION (GRADES 9-12)

Tailored to college/career goals:

• Resume development
• College credit courses (Advanced Placement and Dual Credit)
• Industry credentials/certifications
• Youth apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, industry tours, and Career Fair
• Community service
• Individual advisor support in college/career goal setting
• Online tools to receive career and community related announcements, log community service, and track workplace learning experiences 

D.C. Everest High School Academic & Career Planning Student Expectations At each grade level, students will practice goal setting and planning by developing and/or revising their personal Academic & Career Plan (ACP) with guidance from adult mentors (advisory teacher, counselor, parents). This is meant to be a gradual process that builds from one year to the next and supports the unique development of each student. Student goals and plans are expected to change annually based on their personal experiences. Students will use online tools (Xello, Canvas, College & Career Ready (CCR) Student Dashboard) to research post-secondary options, explore workplace learning and community service experiences, and document their goals and post high school plans. Students are expected to share this information with their advisory teacher, counselor, and parents and consider these Reflective Questions as they develop their Academic & Career Plan.

By the end of 10th grade: a student should be supported to:

• Review and update Career Cluster (CCR Dashboard).
• Compare current GPA, academic, and career indicators with Redefining Ready Indicators and create goals and readiness habits (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Create a plan for personalized engagement and participate in Workplace Learning and Community Service experiences (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Complete “Program Prospects” lesson to research education and training pathways for careers of interest and distinguish between different types of post-secondary programs (Xello).
• Create a functional resume (English 10/Honors/CCR Dashboard).
• Prepare for, participate, and reflect upon College, Career & Hiring Fair (Advisory Homeroom/CCR Dashboard).
• Review and update course selections, career goals, and post-secondary plans (Infinite Campus/CCR Dashboard).
• Seek feedback from advisory teachers throughout the ACP process (Advisory Homeroom).

By the end of 11th grade: a student should be supported to:

• Review and update Career Cluster (CCR Dashboard).
• Compare current GPA, academic, and career indicators with Redefining Ready Indicators and create goals and readiness habits (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Modify plans for personalized engagement and participate in Workplace Learning and Community Service experiences (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Complete “Choosing a College” lesson to research and develop a post-secondary plan that aligns with career interests, education and training (Xello).
• Participate in ACP Conference for post-secondary plan review (counselor, student, parents).
• Review and update resume (CCR Dashboard). 
• Review and update course selections, career goals, and post-secondary plans (Infinite Campus/CCR Dashboard).
• Seek feedback from advisory teachers throughout the ACP process (Advisory Homeroom).

By the end of 12th grade: a student should be supported to:

• Review and update Career Cluster (CCR Dashboard).
• Compare current GPA, academic, and career indicators with Redefining Ready Indicators and create goals and readiness habits (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Modify plan for personalized engagement and participate in Workplace Learning and Community Service experiences (CCR Dashboard/Canvas).
• Participate in a “Financial Aid and Scholarship” workshop to learn about the application process, deadlines, and develop a financial plan to support post-secondary transition (Advisory Homeroom).
• Review and update resume (CCR Dashboard).
• Transition CCR Dashboard portfolio artifacts (resume, community service, etc.) to ensure access after graduation (CCR Dashboard).
• Seek feedback from advisory teachers throughout the ACP process (Advisory Homeroom).

Students use the following online tools  to research post-secondary options, explore workplace learning and community service experiences, and store their ACP assets. Students are able to share this information with their advisory teacher, counselor, and parents.  

Canvas

Canvas is a learning management system where students also can access Academic and Career Planning resources through the DCE Student Services portal. The resources include announcements concerning college/military representative visits to the school, relevant events, self-assessment tools to determine their progress toward their specific career and academic goals, internship/apprenticeship opportunities, scholarships, FAFSA tools, college application best practices, and their personal student dashboard. Parents can help their students with Academic and Career Planning by setting up an Observer Account that will provide them with access to their student’s resources. 

Portrait of a Graduate Student Dashboard

The Portrait of a Graduate Student Dashboard is a unique tool that provides personalized insight, incentive, and reflection on the student's College and Career Readiness Indicators, Community Service, Portfolio Plan, and Resume that are proven to lead to success after high school. 

Xello

Xello is an online program that helps students explore their interests, identify their skill sets and match those preferences and strengths with prospective career options. This interactive tool also helps students develop post-secondary plans, while learning more about post-secondary educational, military and career options. 

As we move forward in preparing our students to become College and Career Ready, the high school has identified the following goals and objectives for the 2023-2024 school year:

Family Engagement: The district will expand the outreach to parents/guardians so they are aware of opportunities available to their students and can take an active role in their academic and career planning. Emphasis will be placed on providing parent access to the Portrait of a Graduate Student Dashboard; a new tool for students to develop, track, & execute their post high school plan. This tool embodies National Research Metrics and Best Practices for setting students up for success. In addition, we will introduce families to the Wisconsin Regional Endorsed Career Pathways and create an awareness to the sequence of courses, work experiences and related learning opportunities. Finally, we’ll continue to share college and career readiness focused communication through an Infinite Campus Bi-monthly Newsletter, Student Services Canvas Course (Parent Observer Account), and the District Website driving families to the wealth of information and opportunities. A pre/post school year Parent Engagement Survey will be conducted to determine strategies and outcomes.

Leadership and Culture: The Building Leadership Team will meet on a monthly basis to increase consistency among staff and student engagement in the Advisory process. Student’s college and career readiness will be supported by a continuous relationship with an adult advisor who is knowledgeable regarding the student’s interests, goals, and plans. During the first two weeks of school, Advisory activities will focus on relationship building and providing students with a strong foundation around College and Career Readiness Indicators, Student Dashboard, Student Services Canvas Course, Goal Setting and Club/Activity Fair. Advisory time will be scheduled once per week for regular one-to-one conferencing support to help guide goal creation, course selection, and post-high school planning.