Academic and Career Planning
WI DPI - What is ACP?
An ongoing process to actively engage students to:
develop an understanding of his or her self
create a vision of his or her future
develop individual goals
prepare a personal plan for achieving the vision and goals
A product that documents and reflects students’:
coursework, learning and assessment results
post-secondary plans aligned to career goals & financial reality
record of college and career readiness skills.
WI DPI - Why ACP?
ACP is intended to equip students and their families with the tools necessary to make more informed choices about postsecondary education and training as it leads to careers.
It is part of DPI's overall vision for every student to graduate high school college and career ready. That means students must be competent both socially and emotionally. We want our students to be strong critical thinkers, collaborate and solve real-world problems, and persevere when things aren’t quite going their way. When put together, it’s about making them productive adults with satisfying careers.
To learn more about why ACP matters, please watch this video.
Special Events
Agriculture Career Awareness Day
Every other year, seventh and eighth grade students at Kiel Middle School are invited to participate in Agriculture Career Awareness Day. This event is put on by agricultural businesses throughout the Kiel area. Students are able to take part in hands-on experiences and visit a number of local businesses to learn more about the careers that are available in the agriculture field.
Government Day
The event, sponsored by the Calumet County American Legion, is geared towards 8th grade students to help them gain perspective on County Government and the available career opportunities. Through this experience your students participate in departmental tours in the courthouse, a Roberts Rules of Order activity, a trivia or Jeopardy game, listening to speakers from the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Calumet County Sheriff and K-9 unit, and attendance at court in the afternoon.
The Game of Life
Through this activity, it will allow eighth grade students to learn how to manage money and budget for a month. Also, it will develop their communication, collaboration, entrepreneurial skills, and will meet the needs for knowing the expectations and finances of the real world. The activity will allow students to have some fantastic conversations with staff and community members about their financial choices and the ramifications of those choices.
8th Grade Mock Interviews
Through the mock interview experience, students will practice interviewing with staff and community members and gain experience for interviewing. Also, students will receive feedback on their interview and become better prepared for their next interview.
Lakeshore Technical College Tour
Eighth grade students are invited to tour different departments at Lakeshore Technical College. During this tour students will learn about what LTC has to offer for education and learn about the different levels of education that LTC has to offer. Students enjoy the hands-on experiences and many of them were visiting a college campus for the first time.
UW-Manitowoc Tour
Eighth grade students are invited to tour different departments at UW-Manitowoc (UW-Green Bay Campus). During this tour students will learn about what UW-Manitowoc has to offer for education and learn about the different levels of education that it has to offer. Students enjoy the hands-on experiences and many of them were visiting a college campus for the first time.
JA BizTown
Every spring, our fifth grade students have the opportunity to start exploring the career process. They create resumes, go through the interview process with a number of educators and community volunteers, learn about financial literacy, and prepare for career success. JA BizTown combines in-class learning with an interactive, simulated town experience where students are asked to perform their specific careers in order to keep their town running. For more information on JA BizTown check out their website.
Careers on Wheels
Every other year, Careers on Wheels will promote student awareness in a variety of careers, links school with the world of work, and allows students to meet positive career role models. Businesses are invited to bring hands-on experiences to all fifth through seventh grade students.
KMS Happenings
8th Grade Careers Class
The 8th Grade Careers class is instructed by Mrs. Kautzer, our middle school counselor. While in this class, students have the opportunity to research and explore a variety of careers. It is also the students first look into the high school portfolio, which is a required credit at the high school level. Kiel Middle School uses Xello, which is self-exploration and planning program that assists in portfolio development. This class lays the foundation for future portfolio requirements. Careers will also help students through the Academic and Career Planning (ACP) process by learning through career exploration by discovering their interests, learn and create a resume, understand and gain knowledge about paychecks and stubs, learn about interviewing skills and have a mock interview, prepare for their transition to high school, focus on a particular career they have an interest in, research, and create a game card about that career.
High School Planning Meetings
Before Freshman Curriculum Night, all eighth grade students are required to attend a personal education planning meeting with the school counselor. In this meeting parents, the student, and the school counselor discuss high school scheduling options, future goals, strengths, areas of improvement, and other essential high school information. Students use their Xello portfolio to guide the meeting, so the school counselor is able to provide students with information based on their future goals and interests. Below is a list of some of the resources provided during the meeting.
8th Grade Individual Planning Conference
Military
Wisconsin Colleges
Careers and Apprenticeships
High School Curriculum Night takes place one night in January. During this event, students are able to transition through the high school classrooms while learning about the different courses offered by each academic department. This is also the night where high school students receive information about scheduling classes.
Freshmen Curriculum Night Welcome Video
Freshmen Course Selection - Video Directions
ACP Guide Review Video '24-'25
Kiel High School Academic/Career Planning and Course Guide '24-'25
Freshmen Curriculum Night Presentation - Student Services
Academic and Career Planning March Madness
During the month of March, the school counseling department provides a variety of activities to help students explore their college and career options. Activities include:
Classroom lessons focused on ACP
Career March Madness
Name that Grad
Photos of teacher's graduations are posted in the cafeteria and students have a chance to guess who each teacher is
College and Career March Madness
Fun trivia about colleges and careers will be offered each day