Welcome
Welcome to J.C. McKenna Middle School’s Academic and Career Planning page. Over the last couple of years, we have been working to pull together all of the things we do to prepare our students for high school, graduation, and beyond! This preparation for life after graduation involves learning about a wide variety of occupations, connecting career goals to school achievement, and reflecting on strengths and interests. Our plans to support students’ academic and career development will continue to grow and change as they do. Please read on to see our current framework.
What is ACP?
As described by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Academic and Career Planning, or ACP, is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills. The goal of ACP is to empower all students to travel the road to adulthood through education and training to careers! For more on the value of ACP, please see the videos below:
Why ACP Matters
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
All J.C. McKenna Middle School students will participate in ACP exploration and planning activities to learn more about themselves and how their personal strengths and interests connect to future goals and potential careers. These experiences are designed to help students see the connections between school and careers, learn more about the many options and routes to future success, and begin setting goals for life after graduation. The ACP process will also support 8th graders in choosing high school courses that are aligned with graduation requirements, personal interests and career goals. As students continue to grow throughout middle school and high school, they will review and revise their academic and career planning goals.
- Some of the ACP activities your child will experience in middle school are:
- Creating an online portfolio with Career Cruising to use in grades 6-12Learning styles inventory
- Career matchmaker assessment
- Careers exploration
- Post-secondary education exploration
- Introductory resume building
- Each student will have a team teacher: your “go to” person for conferences, school events, missing assignments, and questions
- Weekly announcements about career clusters
- Classroom lessons
- Learning styles
- Multiple intelligences
- Study skills
- Stress management
- Diversity
- Student led conferences
- Daily team time for academic and advisory support
- School-wide community service day
- 6th Grade Orientation
- 7th and 8th Grade field trips to a technical college, community college or university to learn more about occupations and post-secondary options
- 8th Grade tour of Evansville High School
- High School Registration with School Counselors
EHS counselors visit the middle school to present information to the 8th grade class about moving on to high school, course selection, graduation requirements, extracurricular participation and post-secondary preparation
EHS staff host a parent night at J.C. McKenna to present high school registration information to parents and guardians of 8th graders
8th graders hold winter conferences to address progress, high school placement, and academic and career plans highlighting their current goals, strengths and interests
Individual counseling and consultation as needed with Middle and High School Counselors
Visit Career Cruising - Students
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
What role do families have in the ACP process?
Families are an integral part of the ACP process! Families are encouraged to review their child’s plan and discuss all of the component opportunities in order to help them make thoughtful decisions that align with their goals. DPI is developing resources that schools can use to collaborate with parents in these efforts.
ACP in Wisconsin: Implementing Academic and Career Planning Guidebook
Parent Portal
Parent Portal allows you to view the information your child has stored in his or her Plan, learn more about the careers and schools that your child is interested in, and communicate with your child’s career advisor. To register for the Parent Portal account, your student can grant you access through their student profile, or you can contact the school counselor for a temporary log on.
Visit Career Cruising - Parents
