Post-Graduate Planning

The PGP office works to ensure that all aspects of students' postgraduate plans are well laid out prior to graduation. The team includes four full-time staff members (two School Counselors, a BDEA 2.0 Pathway Coordinator, and a Career Exploration Coordinator), along with two in-office partners from College Advising Corps and Boston PIC. PGP staff attend all IEP meetings to comprehensively support students receiving Special Education services and English Learners, and all PGP courses are aligned to current state benchmarks. The office oversees College and Career Day events, college trips, career exploration courses, college advising and financial aid supports, and graduation.

Post-graduate planning is a crucial component of a student's experience at BDEA. From the moment of enrollment through the final Capstone course, the PGP team provides personalized career and college counseling, career readiness classes, and connections to partners like the Boston Private Industry Council and Madison Park Development Corporation for job training and employment opportunities. The team also supports a comprehensive college access process, including dual enrollment and financial aid planning, and continues to provide guidance to BDEA alumni after graduation.

PGP School Profile (Updated annually in Nov) 

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 4:00. Later hours, by appointment. Room 202.

Contact Information

Chanté Bonds, Guidance Counselor

• Email cbonds@bostonpublicschools.org
  Cell: 617-839-0759

• Make an appointment with Ms. Bonds: calendly.com/bondspgp

Alyson Sullivan-Harris, Guidance Counselor

• Email: asullivan2@bostonpublicschools.org
  Cell: 617-839-9258

• Make an appointment with Ms. Sully: calendly.com/sullypgp

Rita Gehrenbeck-Shim, Career Exploration Coordinator

• Email: rgehrenbeckshim@bostonpublicschools.org

Christopher Quaye, BDEA 2.0 Pathway Coordinator

• Email: cquaye@bostonpublicschools.org

Farrah Pierre-Louis, College Advising Corps, now called PATH Program (College and Career Advisor)

• Email: farrahpl@bu.edu

*Include your name when you text us! Otherwise, we may not know who you are!

1. SAT Prep

1. 1. Khan Academy - Individualized SAT Prep

   2. Understanding the SAT (slideshow)

   3. School Day SAT (slideshow)

   4. View and send SAT scores

2. College Essay Writing 

   1. Sample College Essay

   2. Topics to Avoid

   3. College Essay Guide

   4. College Essay Template

3. Fill out Brag Sheet (give to people writing letters of recommendation for you)

   1. Brag Sheet

4. College Application Checklist

   1. College Planning Checklist

   2. BDEA Connects Portal (see GPA, awards, etc.)

   3. Reset BPS Email Password

5. Capstone Information

   1. Capstone Application

   2. Checklist - Capstone Students

6. Applying to college information

   1. Overview of applying to college (slideshow)

   2. BDEA friendly colleges

   3. Common Application

7. Financial aid 

   1. Affordability overview (slideshow)

   2. How to create an FSA ID

   3. Create an FSA ID (website)

   4. Submit FAFSA (website)

8. Transition to life after graduation

1. You're almost a BDEA graduate. A transition guide.

For Information about HiSET (formally known as GED), please reference this information Guide.

Colleges: PGP sends students to many colleges but we work closely with the following colleges 

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

Bunker Hill Community College

Roxbury Community College

Duet

Quincy College

Hampshire College - James Baldwin Scholars program

Lesley University - Urban Scholars Initiative

Northeastern Foundation Year

Endicott College Boston

UMass Boston

UMass Dartmouth, College Now

HBCUs

BDEA Partners: provide college and financial aid guidance

College Advising Corps (CAC)

Mass Edco

Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF)

uAspire

Let's Get Ready

Bottom Line

Sociedad Latina

First Generation Investors  

BDEA Partners: Career-Training programs

Year Up

Year 13 - Digital Ready

Dudley Promise Corps (Americorps)

City Year (Americorps)

ABCD

AACA 

YouthBuild Boston

Future Chefs

Building Pathways

Boston Police Cadet Academy 

Boston EMS

City Academy

NECAT

PGP Partners: career assistance organizations

Boston Private Industry Council (PIC)

Mass Hire - Boston Career Center

Jewish Vocational Services (JVS)

PGP Partners: college support for single mothers

Jeremiah Program

PGP Partners: career assistance for students with disabilities

Bridges from School to Work

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

• Every Thursday is PGP Thursday at the Wheatley campus.  College and career training speakers or workshops during Advisory in Room 003 (or as posted). Schedule of events published at the beginning of each Trimester.

• Every Wednesday in PGP Wednesday at the Timilty campus. College and career training speakers or workshops at 10:00 am in Mr. Capo’s room  (or as posted). Schedule of events published at the beginning of each Trimester.

• Dual Enrollment: College partners include Benjamin Franklin  Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Suffolk University, Fisher College, Cambridge College

• One-on-one college and career counseling with students and families 

• Link to College Application Timeline

• College and Career exploration classes 

• Beyond BDEA (Schoology Link coming)

• Career Readiness (Schoology Link coming)

• Road to College (Schoology Link coming)

• Financial aid / scholarship planning and application assistance for students and families

• Visits to colleges and career training programs

• SAT and ACT test registration and preparation: 

• College Board SAT

• Khan Academy SAT  

• Let's Get Ready SAT Prep

• Early College and Career pathways – We continue to develop college/career pathways that link our students to a partner organization with expertise in a particular career and with a strong record for job placement.

• Alumni events

BDEA 2.0 Internship Handbook

Career Exploration classes are the BDEA version of electives

• • Students are required to take 3 Career Exploration classes and one Career Readiness course in order to graduate. These are managed out of our Postgraduate Planning office. 

  • These classes are a great way to explore different areas of interest and break up academics in the school day!

To learn more about earning Career Exploration credit contact Rita Gehrenbeck-Shim at rgehrenbeckshim@bostonpublicschools.org or in Room 202. 

• How can I help students connect with PGP staff? 

Set appointments using Calendly, Email, Text (see contact info above). Or stop by Room 202 . Students must use Google Calendar. 

• When can students come to the PGP office?

PGP office is open during lunch, Advisory, and after school. During classes, by appointment.

• What kinds of post-graduate options are available to BDEA students? 

BDEA graduates attend 4-year colleges, 2-year colleges, career-training programs, BDEA Teacher Assistant program, Americorps programs, and apprenticeship programs. Some graduates go directly to work and our goal is to continue assisting them in furthering their education and training in order to pursue living-wage careers. See PGP options below.

• How can I help students with their Post-graduate planning?

PGP welcomes your help! Please share your college or career-training experiences. Also, please refer to the PGP Student Timeline 

• How and when do students apply to Capstone?

During the trimester before Capstone, students complete the Capstone Application which includes demonstrating course and MCAS completion, reflection on the Habits of Success, and a presentation. 

• What do I tell students about Financial Aid?  

Every Pre-Capstone student should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to qualify for financial assistance for college or career-training programs.                  
More information: Financial Aid for BDEA Students

• Are PGP staff evaluated like other staff?

BPS PGP staff create annual work plans are evaluated by PGP Director. Non-BPS PGP staff are evaluated by partner organization and PGP Director.

PGP Director creates an annual work plan and is evaluated by the BDEA Head of School.