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Individual Career & Academic Planning

An Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) is a multi-year process that intentionally guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic, and postsecondary opportunities, aligning coursework and curriculum, applying to postsecondary education Institutions, securing financial aid, and ultimately entering the workforce. With the support of educators and families, students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to create their own meaningful and powerful pathways to be career and college ready.

Click on the grade levels below to expand the section and read about the work students do at each stage.

6th Grade

In sixth grade, students complete activities and lessons in Xello, a software platform that stores student responses about career and academic interests. These lessons are the student's introduction to planning for their futures, and include topics such as career interests, school subjects, decision making, and time management.

Students complete these lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

7th Grade

In seventh grade, students complete activities and lessons in Xello, a software platform that stores student responses about career and academic interests. These lessons encourage students to build on their previous work and discover different learning paths, identify career choices and factors, and explore jobs and employers.

Students complete these lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

8th Grade

In eighth grade, students complete activities and lessons in Xello, outside of Xello, and have the opportunity to attend additional events to further their Individual Career & Academic Plan. Eighth grade Xello lessons continue building on the student's previous work to help students identify skills and career options, prepare to transition to high school, learn how to advocate for their needs, and explore postsecondary options, including college, career, military, vocations, and certificate programs. Students begin developing their four-year course planning.

Students complete Xello lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

In addition to Xello lessons, eighth graders are invited to visit their local high school and receive information about the career path options in available in high school as organized by their individual schools.

The Postsecondary Learning and Career Readiness Department also shares information about career programs in high school with eighth grade students, as well as support them with attending their annual events: Career Fair (required) and Work Week (optional).

9th Grade (Freshman Year)

During their freshman year of high school, students complete activities and lessons in Xello and have the opportunity to attend additional events to further their Individual Career & Academic Plan. Ninth grade Xello lessons revolve around student personality styles, exploring career factors, gaining experience and study skills, and learning about postsecondary options, including college, career, military, vocations, and certificate programs. Students also build a resume and continue to develop their four-year course planning and class selection.

Students complete Xello lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

The Postsecondary Learning and Career Readiness Department supports students attending their annual events: Career Fair, Work Week, ad Job Shadows. Both events are optional for freshmen.

10th Grade (Sophomore Year)

During their sophomore year of high school, students complete activities and lessons in Xello and have the opportunity to attend additional events to further their Individual Career & Academic Plan. Tenth grade Xello lessons look at work values and skills, career and lifestyle costs, workplace attitudes, prospective programs, and familiarize students with the job application and interview process. Sophomores continue to develop their four-year course planning and class selection.

Students complete Xello lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

The Postsecondary Learning and Career Readiness Department supports students attending their annual events: Career Fair, Work Week, and Job Shadows. Both events are optional for sophomores.

11th Grade (Junior Year)

During their junior year of high school, students complete activities and lessons in Xello, look at opportunities for industry certificates, practice interview skills, and have the opportunity to attend additional events to further their Individual Career & Academic Plan. Eleventh grade Xello lessons are focused on helping students choose a college/university (if applicable), understand career demand, establish work/life balance, and learn entrepreneurial skills. Juniors are guided through the scholarship, applications, and financial aid process and complete a readiness skills survey. Eleventh graders complete their four-year course planning and class selection in anticipation of their senior year of high school.

Students complete Xello lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

The Postsecondary Learning and Career Readiness Department supports students attending a variety of events, including Career Fair, Work Week, Job Shadows, Internship/Apprenticeship Programs, FAFSA/CASFA Support, and Interview Night. All of these events are optional for juniors.

12th Grade (Senior Year)

During their senior year of high school, students complete activities and lessons in Xello, complete the Senior Survey, and have the opportunity to attend additional events to further their Individual Career & Academic Plan. Twelfth grade Xello lessons are designed to help students define success, look at career path choices and come up with back up plans, and complete applications for scholarships, financial aid, and more.

Students complete Xello lessons during their school day over the course of the school year.

The Postsecondary Learning and Career Readiness Department supports students attending a variety of events, including Career Fair, Work Week, Job Shadows, Internship/Apprenticeship Programs, FAFSA/CASFA Support, and Interview Night. All of these events are optional for seniors. Seniors are also invited to attend the Scholarship Award Night.