Career Academies
Career Academies are “schools within a school” tailored to different career interest areas. All ninth graders participate in Freshman Academy, a special learning environment created to assist with a smooth high school transition. At the conclusion of students freshman year, all 9th graders will declare a career-focused pathway and in 10th grade, begin interest-based and experiential learning for their chosen pathway. Learning may may include Dual Enrollment courses, enrolling in Early Middle College, Calhoun Area Career Center, or a variety of pathway specific courses at the high school.
CAREER ACADEMY & PATHWAY OPTIONS
Freshman Academy
All 9th grade students start in Freshman Academy to start career exploring to make their
decision on pathway for 10th grade.
Opportunities include: College Tours, Interviewing Practice, Career Panels,
Career Fairs, and Freshman Seminar
Academy of Business, Engineering and Industrial Technology
Academy of Health and Human Services
Portrait of A Graduate
Highlights the qualities we believe all BCCHS students will possess at the conclusion of their studies.
Highlights the qualities we believe all BCCHS students will possess at the conclusion of their studies.
Benefits of Career Academies
Every Bearcat will graduate career, college and community ready by engaging in...
Smaller learning communities
Tailored coursework and experiential learning specific to pathway
Career fairs and panels
college visits
Industry field trips
Mock interviews
Job shadowing
Internship opportunities
Dual Enrollment (DE)
Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit. High school students who complete dual-enrollment classes generally take fewer classes in college and save money on total college costs.
BCCHS students that qualify, may take up to 10 college level classes with all or most expenses paid for by the school district.
Early Middle College (EMC)
Early Middle College is a Michigan Department of Education sanctioned, innovative program that enables students to
plan for a 5th year in high school while taking courses at an accredited college or university. Battle Creek Public Schools
has recognized the Early/Middle College program in partnership with Kellogg Community College.
Interested students must sign up for Early Middle College during their 10th grade year.
Most students spend the majority of their time at the Kellogg Community College campus in their junior and senior years of high school. Courses they take give them credit for both high school graduation requirements and college credits.
Students must meet entrance qualifications for the college or university to take classes and must have the ability to
manage their time effectively. Parents must be partners in this endeavor and give formal permission for their child to enter the Early Middle College Program.
Courses are paid for by the school district as long as the student has successfully
passed; parents are financially responsible for courses in which their student was unsuccessful.
The Early Middle College program will align directly with the Career Academy pathway a student has selected during their 10th grade year and extend through their 5th year. Following the 5th year of school, a student will graduate with a high school degree and
potentially an Associates Degree conferred by the college/university. At a minimum, the student will have a
number of college credits and an industry certification. Counselors will assist 10th grade students who are interested in pursuing EMC .