College, Career & Life Readiness
Students engage in College, Career, and Life Readiness through the various opportunities and experiences available within the School District of Elmbrook, with post-secondary educational institutions, and community organizations. All students are provided rigorous college prep curriculum to prepare for college, vocational training, military, or employment. Career-based learning experiences provide an opportunity for students to explore, learn, and engage in various career options throughout the 6-12 grade levels. Elmbrook scholars provide goals around Elmbrook students becoming life ready.
College Ready
- Access to college prep curriculum for all students
- Rigorous literacy instruction in all content areas
- Opportunities for early college credit
- High-leverage organizational strategies
Career Ready
- Project-based learning in non-core curriculum areas
- Skills-based learning goals in curriculum areas (i.e. critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis, etc.)
- Access to career-based learning opportunities
Life Ready
- Elmbrook scholars framework
- Skills instruction in curriculum areas (i.e. goal setting, communication, etc.)
- Extra-curricular activities
Why are college and career readiness important for every Elmbrook student?
Students must possess and utilize essential academic knowledge and skills to navigate the world of higher education and the world of work, as well as critical personal and professional skills, dispositions, and behaviors in order to transition successfully to future education, work, and civic life.
David T Conley (2012) provides many insights on college and career readiness in “A complete definition of college and career readiness.” Dig deeper into different types of readiness, current readiness standards, and what it truly means to be college and career-ready.
Similarly, the AVID framework provides key characteristics for college and career readiness. Focusing on four key characteristics—self-awareness, self-care, self-monitoring, and self-advocacy— to support students as they develop knowledge, skills, and perspectives that assist with achieving college and career success.
Other keys to success and components in the academic and career planning (ACP) process include:
- Organizing time and materials
- Advancing college preparedness through exploration, preparation, selection, and persistence/success
- Building career knowledge with exploration and experience opportunities
- Promoting financial literacy
Instructional preparation includes engagement in rigorous skill-building in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR).
Comments? Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact your student’s respective school counselor or Amie Farley, Director of College, Career & Life Readiness, at farleyam@elmbrookschools.org or 262.781.3030 ext. 11111.