Ensuring Our Graduates Have the Career, Life and Academic Skills to Succeed in the 21st Century
Recognizing each student has unique goals, interests, and skill sets, at D.C. Everest we rely on a diverse set of research-based metrics to assess a student’s life, career and academic preparedness. We consider the whole person — the breadth and depth of their coursework, participation in extracurricular activities, ACT scores, grades, third-party certifications, community service, and ability to demonstrate soft skills within and beyond the classroom — to determine student readiness.
These same metrics serve as guideposts that help students make informed choices about the courses, activities, community service, and work-based learning experiences they engage in based on their personal and professional goals.
Developing a Learner's Mindset
Due to the rapid pace at which careers and technologies evolve, we must prepare today's high school graduates to become lifelong learners capable of advancing their skill sets with on-the-job or post-secondary academic training. To ensure our students are capable of adapting to change in professional fields, we have implemented research-based “college ready” metrics.
Students are considered college ready (able to successfully complete an entry-level college course) if they meet the academic indicators OR standardized testing benchmarks listed below.
Academic Indicators:
- Earn a GPA of 2.8 or better and attain one or more of the following:
- Earn an Advanced Placement Exam Score of 3 or better
- Complete an Advanced Placement Course (A, B, or C)
- Complete a Dual Credit College English and/or Math course (A, B, or C)
- Written Communications DE
- Applied Calculus and Trigonometry DE
- Algebra III
- Algebra II (A, B, or C)
OR
Standardized Testing Benchmarks (minimum score):
- ACT Exam: English (18) - Reading (22) - Science (23) - Math (22)
- College Readiness Placement Assessment (determined by post-secondary institution)
Additional factors that contribute to collegiate success:
- Earn As, Bs, Cs as a secondary student
- Complete the FAFSA application (financial aid assessment form)
- Enroll in a career pathway course sequence during high school
- Take part in college academic advising
- Participate in college-bound bridge programs
- Complete a senior year math class
- Complete at least one math class after Algebra II
Securing Career Skills
It’s important for students to understand what it takes to secure a job, sustain employment, and attain credentials that differentiate them from others applying for the same opportunities. We have implemented research-based career ready metrics to help students develop pathways that connect them with real-world social, community and workplace experiences.
Students are considered “career ready” (possessing the knowledge, skills, and education necessary to successfully engage in their chosen career) if they have identified a career cluster they aspire to and meet two of the benchmarks listed here:
- Maintain a 90% attendance rate in school
- Complete 25+ hours of community service
- Participate in a workplace learning experience
- Earn an industry standard certification
- Complete a dual credit course
- Participate in two or more organized co-curricular activities
Students who plan on entering the military upon graduation must meet the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) passing scores for their intended branch of the military.
Preparing for Variability and Challenges
It is likely most students will have multiple careers in their lifetime and will need to navigate challenges when things don’t go as planned. Our “life ready” metrics assist students in acquiring the skills (leadership, collaboration, service, creativity, critical thinking, perseverance, self-awareness, and problem solving) they need to become a responsible and productive member of the community.
Students can demonstrate they are “life ready” by utilizing these skills in the classroom, during extracurricular/co-curricular activities, and while on the job.
