Elementary School Level
Academic & Career Readiness
How can you make an impact on the world?
School counselors, career coaches and teachers expose students to a variety of careers and help them explore their interests, skills, and values to connect with possible career clusters and pathways.
Values - what is important to you
Skills - what are you good at and what do you want to learn more about
Interests - what are you passionate about
Academic & Career Plan Portfolio
In collaboration with parents and the school counselor, students will begin the development of an Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP). The ACPP will include student's interests, values, and skills supporting decisions about their future interests and goals.
All YCSD elementary school students will use the Virginia Education Wizard to develop their ACPP during the 5th grade. Each student will have a personal account to utilize for career exploration. School counselors have developed the following progression for student career exploration and development:
- Students in grades 3 - 5 will receive Virginia Education Wizard account information
- Students in grade 3 will begin exploring Career Clusters
- Students in grades 4 and 5 will identify personal skills and values and begin developing personal goals
Considerations for Families
Academic Development
- Invite your child to explore various academic and career interests
- Encourage your child to explore their interests, skills, and values
- Emphasize learning and exploration for both you and your child
- Help your child understand how school subjects relate to careers:
- Emphasize that school subjects are valuable for success in a variety of occupations
- Basic skills such as math, reading, and oral and written communication are useful in all careers
Career Development
Talk to your child about career opportunities by highlighting careers in everyday life.
- Explore resources for career development with your child
- Expose your child to new experiences to broaden their academic and career choices
- Invite your child to help with work tasks at home
Career Clubs
A snapshot of clubs offered at various schools that promote awareness of high-demand careers in the area of STEM and technology and/or the skills required for these careers.
Career Clusters
Career Clusters are broad groups of occupations with common features. There are 14 categories that encompass a broad array of careers.
EngagedIN YCSD
This program connects interested parents, community members, and businesses with schools and students to share their career experiences or expertise with students.
I'm Determined
An online tool developed to provide direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior.
Level Up Virginia
Provides information on educational options such as certificate programs, apprenticeships, the military, trade schools, two-year and four-year colleges, and universities.
Makerspaces
These spaces allow students to develop the 5 Cs through authentic, STEM related learning experiences.
Virginia Career View
An online tool developed to provide career development resources and activities for grades K-5 to help support the development of ACPP's.
Virginia Wizard
An interactive online tool developed to help students succeed in discovering career pathways and get answers to questions about their future.
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