Post-Secondary Planning

MyCAP at Bellingham High School

MyCAP was designed by the Massachusetts Boards of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE) to emphasize the combined focus of academic learning and career planning.

What exactly is MyCAP?

MyCAP is a multi-year planning tool that is student-centered and designed to give students continuing chances to plan for academic, personal/social, and career success. Because the student is the primary author of MyCAP, students are empowered to seek out learning opportunities that align with their individual career interests and self-defined goals.

Why was MyCAP established?

Students who participated in more MyCAP activities had greater goal-setting skills, more motivation to go to school, and higher academic self-efficacy, all of which led to improved academic achievement, stress and health management, and preparation to make career decisions (Solberg, Wills, Redmond, and Skaff, 2014).

MyCAP assists students in making links between the courses and academic experiences they receive and the academic and personal/social skills they need to acquire to attain their intended career and life objectives.

How can students begin and complete their MyCAP successfully?

MyCAP is a student-directed process of self-discovery, college and career planning, and post-secondary success. MyCAP serves as a tool for capturing learning and documenting achievement of learning objectives at each grade level.

At BHS, the MyCAP student journey begins in 8th grade where students will identify strengths and interests. In 9th grade, students focus on goal-setting and future planning. It continues through 10th grade, when students begin to develop their resumes and portfolios and look at several employment options. Students in 11th grade examine colleges through virtual tours and trips, as well as any and all other available career pathways. 12th graders will be directed to explore opportunities for financial aid and scholarships and encouraged to attend affiliated workshops, as well as begin to develop a personal support network to help them succeed in college and beyond.

The MyCAP journey aligns with the district vision to inspire students to develop their passions and prepare them to succeed in a world of rapid and constant change.

Students develop their MyCAP through classroom activities, college and career advisory lessons, individual meetings with their school counselor and access to career pathways at BHS. BHS uses multiple web-based platforms such as Naviance and MEFA Pathway to assist students in their journey.