FAQ

In essence, it has nothing to do with vehicles :) No, we're not trying to force our students to work for Ford after graduation.  

Ford Next Generation Learning is a philanthropic, give back division of Ford.  

Ford NGL helps  communities prepare the future scientists, inventors, public servants, and entrepreneurs who will apply their passion and expertise to improving the world for both their generation and those to come. 

Ford NGL uses a collaborative community-driven approach to achieve the following outcomes: (1) increased community prosperity shared by all; (2) a strengthened talent pipeline; (3) young people prepared for college, careers, lifelong learning, and leadership; (4) educational equity and justice for all; and (5) the capacity to contribute and go further.

You can find out more about FordNGL by visiting https://www.fordngl.com/about. 

Check out the SLC page. 

Ford NGL mobilizes educators, employers, and community leaders to prepare a new generation of young people who will graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and life - prepared to compete successfully in the current economy. Three distinct but interconnected strands comprise the Ford NGL Framework, which enables whole communities to design and carry out a long-term plan for revitalizing education. 

The three strands are 

• Transforming Teaching and Learning

• Transforming the Culture, Systems, and Structures of Schools

• Transforming Partnerships between Schools and Community

A Portrait of a Graduate is what we want students to be and what skills and attributes students will have as they walk across the stage on graduation day.  

It also operates as a "North Star" or "Guiding Light" for the district. Most decisions should be made with the POG as a starting point. 

To learn more about MCCSC's Vision and Portrait of a Graduate, visit the POG page. 

Freshman Year 

• Explore self, careers, and colleges

• Develop lifelong, transferable skills

• Participate in co-curricular or extracurricular activities

• Be involved with the Freshman Learning Community

• Identify school learning communities and pathways

• Build the framework of a resume

Sophomore Year 

• Join a 10th -12th-grade SLC (Student Learning Community)

• Explore career pathways in a chosen learning community

• Complete coursework in selected pathways program of study

• Develop projects that directly connect with future careers

• Visit a local business and discover the various positions available

• Tour Area 31 career center to explore additional programs of study

• Seek positions of leadership and perform community service

Junior Year

• Develop a post-graduation plan

• Attend Cascade Career and College App Day plus HCN's fair

• Complete either a one-day job shadow or college visit 

• Become a leader in school and extracurricular activities 

• Update resume with skills, activities, and work experience

• Plan a summer job, internship, or college camp

Senior Year

• Choose a college, career, or military service after graduation

• Apply for colleges, scholarships, and financial assistance

• Complete capstone projects and internships

• Request letters of reference and recommendation

• Finalize resume for future employment

SLCs (Student Learning Communities) will concentrate on technical and work ethic skills that can be applied in college or any career. Real-world problems are brought to life in the classroom, which encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. This focuses their learning on a career path that is interesting to them and meets academic standards and goals. 

With students selecting a pathway as they enter high school, we recognize that changes might need to occur. Three courses in each pathway need to be completed to complete the pathway. If a change needs to be made, it must be done at the end of freshman year. After their sophomore year, it will be difficult to make changes and then complete a pathway by graduation. 

No. 

We're changing how we "do school" at Mill Creek with a focus on career and community connections to discover and explore college and career opportunities for their futures. The goal is for students to graduate with a plan that allows for a smooth transition from high school to postsecondary endeavors. 

A student learning community is an opportunity for our young people to learn through a college and career lens of interest. This data-driven model shows student learning community students outperform their peers with higher grade point averages, increased attendance, and overall improved student performance. Mill Creek Schools has embraced this model and wants to ensure all students have the opportunity to the learn and apply their learning within a space that interests them while building a strong foundation for a successful future.

Our elementary students will be exposed to careers within our pathways as early as preschool and kindergarten through STEAM Experiences (field trips). We will continue exposure and engagement in middle school so that students can make an informed decision about their pathway choice in 9th or 10th grade.  

Ninth-grade students will all be enrolled in the Freshmen Student Learning Community (SLC).  This class will set them up for success in high school and also inform them about the upcoming 10th-12th SLCs.  

As students enter 10th grade they will select a more career-oriented student learning community aligned more with their passion. 

Depending on what pathway students choose will depend on when they start that pathway. 

Some pathways need to start in 9th grade, while others can start in 10th, or 11th grade. 

What is important to understand is that all pathways have typically three courses to complete the pathway. Our hope is that all students remain in their chosen pathway throughout high school, but if a switch needs to be made, the earlier the better.  The earlier a switch is made, the easier it will be to complete the required courses with the pathway.