Academic & Career Planning (ACP)

Academic & Career Planning (ACP) is a student-driven, adult-supported process that helps middle and high school students create a personalized roadmap for their future. It includes exploring individual interests, skills, and career options, setting academic and career goals, and developing a plan to achieve them. Through activities such as career interest surveys, job shadows, college visits, and reviewing course selections, students are able to align their education with potential career paths. ACP is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process that evolves as students grow and their interests develop.

ACP is important because it helps students make informed decisions about their future by connecting what they are learning in school to real-world opportunities. It encourages goal setting, planning, and reflection, which builds confidence and motivation. By engaging in ACP, students can better understand their strengths and preferences, explore career options early, and choose relevant courses and experiences that prepare them for success after high school; whether that means entering the workforce, attending a technical college, or pursuing a four-year degree.

In the following pages, you will find an overview of the Academic and Career Planning (ACP) requirements and activities that Blair-Taylor has integrated throughout the current and past school years. These events and experiences are designed to support students in exploring various career pathways and planning for their futures. The listed activities represent just a sampling of the many ways Blair-Taylor helps students work toward their academic and career goals. Additionally, students have access to Xello, an online resource that allows them to research careers, explore interests, and gather valuable information about potential future opportunities.

 What is Xello? 

Xello is an online career exploration platform designed to help middle and high school students learn more about future career options in a self-guided and engaging way. Through this resource, students can explore a wide variety of careers based on their interests and strengths. Each career profile includes valuable information such as required education, average salaries, necessary skills, and day-to-day job responsibilities. The platform also provides tools for students to reflect on their goals, discover career clusters, and understand how their passions can connect to potential future careers.

Xello does not include mandatory assignments or lessons. Instead, it serves as an open resource that students can use at their own pace to learn more about the world of work and what steps they might take to achieve their career goals. Students can research different career paths, post-secondary education options, and gain insights into real-world work experiences. Xello empowers students to take ownership of their future planning by making informed decisions based on accurate and easy-to-understand career data.