Lake Mills HS Academic and Career Planning

What is Academic and Career Planning (ACP)?

Academic and Career Planning (ACP) is a collaboratively developed, student-driven process where students cultivate their own informed decisions for post-secondary success. Research has shown that a comprehensive ACP program increases student motivation and engagement. Students also gain a deeper understanding of themselves, including their strengths and weaknesses. This process helps ensure that students are college, career, and life ready!

At Lake Mills High School, we will utilize Xello as a tool in academic and career planning. Xello's goal is "every student, future ready!" and it was designed as an upgrade from Career Cruising, the service previously utilized. All components of Xello align with our stages of academic and career planning.

Build self-knowledge - Know

Explore options - Explore

Create a Plan - Plan

Learn & Assess - Go

The ACP Process is based on "Know-Explore-Plan-Go"

KNOW- Who am I?

Self-awareness activities

Individual reflection and goal-setting

EXPLORE- What do I want to do?

Explore all options

Career awareness activities

Career research

PLAN- How do I get there?

Connecting middle and high school instructional activities with opportunities to explore or learn more about a particular field of interest.

Work-based learning opportunities

Extra-curricular and community-based learning experiences

Postsecondary training options

Financial plan to cover cost of postsecondary training

GO- Do IT!

Adapt/Modify Intentional Sequence of Courses

Adapt/Modify Personal Goals

Adapt/Modify Postsecondary/Career Goals

Parents can help with this process by:

  • Asking your student to share their Xello profile with you.
  • Knowing your student's interests, skills, and values and helping support their growth.
  • Encouraging your student to get involved in activities that match their interests, skills, and values.
  • Reminding your student that all careers have multiple pathways and encouraging them to explore all the options.
  • Talking to your student about your career experiences.
  • Helping your student find the resources they need to be successful.

Why does ACP Matter?

Visit https://dpi.wi.gov/acp/faqs#ACPBasics for more FAQs on ACP!