What courses should I take?

At Bettendorf students can take a wide variety of classes to help them explore their interests and potential future careers while meeting graduation requirements. 

When you're deciding what class to take, you should be sure to plan for all graduation requirements and check out our elective offerings. 

Career Readiness Curriculum

All Bettendorf students explore their interests and future career possibilities by taking part in our Career Readiness Curriculum. Learn more here:

We want students to see how what they’re learning now connects to their future. Our Career Readiness Curriculum gives students a chance to explore all 16 career clusters (listed below). Each cluster has multiple pathways, so whether a student is into healthcare, business, engineering, the arts, or something else, there’s a place to explore.

Through the Career Center, students can try out classes that match their interests and get a clearer idea of how school connects to real-world opportunities. The goal is simple: help students discover what excites them, build skills, and feel confident about whatever comes after graduation—whether that’s college, trade school, the military, or heading straight into the workforce.

We start these conversations early, introducing kids in elementary and middle school to different careers so that by high school, they’re ready to dig deeper and choose a pathway that feels right for them.

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

• Architecture & Construction

• Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

• Business Management & Administration

• Education & Training

• Finance

• Government & Public Administration

• Health Science

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Human Services

• Information Technology

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

• Manufacturing

• Marketing

• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Career Readiness Advisory Lessons

As students move through the Career Readiness Curriculum, they’ll also learn why career exploration matters. It’s not just about picking a job—it’s about discovering what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and how their choices now can open doors later. They’ll get to know the 16 career clusters and see how the classes they choose in middle and high school can help them explore those interests. Using their class enrollment wisely means they can try out different pathways, build valuable skills, and feel more prepared for life after graduation.

Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP) 

Starting in 8th grade, every student will create an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). Think of it as a personalized roadmap that helps connect the classes students take with their future goals. Students work on this plan with their parents/guardians, school counselors, and teachers so they can feel confident they’re on the right track for whatever comes after high school—college, trade school, the military, or a career. ICAPs are built during Career Readiness Lessons and updated along the way as students’ interests and goals grow and change.

Important Definitions

Career Clusters

Career clusters are broad occupational groupings based on a set of common knowledge and skills required for a specific career. Career clusters provide opportunities for all students regardless of their career goals and interests.

Career Pathways

Career Pathways are a sub-grouping of occupations and career specialties used as an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction. Career pathways are grouped based on their requirements for a set of common knowledge and skills for career success.

Benefits of a Career Pathway

• Provide a framework for seamless education. They are the core of the workforce and economic development in our state.

• Promote the connection between education and workforce/economic development
  Provide a seamless transition from high school to college or work

• Focus on high skill, high demand, and high wage careers

• Increase emphasis on attainment of technical skill proficiency, degree/credentials

Program of Study

A Program of Study is a sequence of instruction (based on recommended standards, and knowledge and skills) This sequence of instruction provides preparation for a career.

Individualized Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)

An Individual graduation plan includes a program of study and learning that represents a mapped academic plan that reflects a student’s unique set of interests, needs, learning goals, and graduation requirements. It goes beyond the “four-year plan” by recording the student’s connections to the larger community including examples of community service and volunteerism; membership in community organizations, participation in leadership activities outside of school; involvement in job shadowing, mentorships, and/or apprenticeships; and the pursuit of skill development through hobbies, athletics, and fine arts.

Bettendorf Schools partner with Iowa College and Career Planning System (ICC) to support students in their career exploration. from 6th-12th grade, students will engage in this system to explore career opportunities and learn how to connect their interests and passions with their future careers.