2025-2026 Application Due: APRIL 4th @ 11:59 pm

11th Grade

Year 3

The third sequence of the N.A.V.IG.A.T.E. Elective is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day.

This course is designed to support students in rigorous courses with research skills, financial literacy, and continued skill-building in reading and writing. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks that will be undertaken during the junior year to support students when they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. Students will complete one college essay before beginning senior year and begin to understand the financial aid and scholarship application process.

Semester 1: Foundations for Success

Unit 1 | Building Resilience & Mental Health Awareness

Duration

2-3 weeks

Essential Question

How can I build resilience and manage stress to maintain my mental health and succeed in my academic and personal goals?

Key Concepts

Mental health awareness and emotional well-being / coping strategies for stress
Growth mindset and resilience when facing challenges and obstacles
Self-care practices and the importance of work-life balance
Building support networks (peers, mentors, counselors)
Collaborative discussions: listening, responding respectfully, and building on ideas

Skills

Recognize signs of stress, anxiety, and burnout
Develop and apply stress management and resilience-building techniques
Cultivate a growth mindset for overcoming academic and personal challenges
Practice mindfulness and self-care routines
Build a personal mental health plan and support system

Activities

Mental Health Self-Assessment and journal reflections
Stress Management Techniques: introduce and practice relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises
Growth Mindset Workshop: students learn how to shift from a fixed to a growth-oriented mindset
TED Talk over Growth Mindset and Resilience, or annotate articles (Article 1, Article 2, and Article 3)
Peer Support Circle: establish a peer support group in which students share challenges, offer advice, etc.

Assessments

Stress Management Plan plan for managing stress, including coping techniques and self-care routines
Growth Mindset Essay — how they plan to approach challenges in school and life with a growth mindset
Mental Health Awareness — school-wide awareness and potential project

Unit 2 | Academic Success & Study Groups

Duration

3-4 weeks

Essential Question

How can effective study habits and collaboration improve academic success and preparation for college-level work?

Key Concepts

Understanding Costa’s Levels of Thinking / Costa’s Levels of Questioning
Use the “Study Group” process as a tool for academic support and learning
The role of peer tutoring in fostering collaboration and enhancing understanding
Active participation in a study group, using questioning and problem-solving strategies
Developing critical thinking and analytical skills via group discussions

Skills

Applying the “Study Group” process to organize and clarify questions on content
Asking open-ended questions and using critical thinking to solve academic problems
Communicating academic difficulties and solutions effectively through collaboration
Providing and receiving feedback in a peer-to-peer learning context
Taking ownership of one’s learning through the “Study Group” process

Activities

Utilize the “Study Group” handout to identify a challenging concept or problem from one of their classes
Students will participate in small study groups where they present their questions and collaborate with peers to work through academic challenges — students will use questioning techniques and problem-solving strategies
Reflection journals after each tutorial session (what they learned, how did they contribute, how they’ll apply strategies learned during the process to their own academic work)

Assessments

Completion of "Study Group" forms and active participation in the "Study Groups"
Reflective journal entries after each "Study Group" session

Unit 3 | Creating Future-Focused Plans

Duration

5-6 weeks

Essential Question

How can I plan for college and a career, and what are the financial aspects involved?

Key Concepts

Narrowing down options for different college and career options
College admissions: application process, GPA, extracurricular involvement, test scores
Aligning career interests with educational paths and steps to enter specific careers
The writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
Collaborative discussions: listening, responding respectfully, and building on ideas

Skills

Conducting research on colleges, universities, and career paths
Understanding financial literacy: scholarships, financial aid, budgeting for the future
Exploring and setting career goals based on academic strengths and interests
Participate in small group discussions, supporting ideas with sources
Writing a reflective essay that blends narrative, expository, and argumentative writing

Activities

Research SIX (6) colleges, universities, technical schools, apprenticeships, or THREE (3) military branches
Career Interest Surveys and Personality Assessments and journal reflections over results
Financial Literacy Workshop: start to create a scholarship application plan and budget for CCR choices
Update both the academic and a personal resume (created last year; should be in Google Drive)

Assessments

Career Interest Surveys and Personality Assessments
“Where Do I See Myself in 5 Years?” — College and Career Readiness Reflective Essay
Goal-Setting Plan & Peer Feedback
Updated Academic and Personal Resumes

Semester 2: Navigating To Senior Year

Unit 4 | The College Application Process

Duration

4-5 weeks

Essential Question

How can I effectively prepare for and navigate the college application process to make informe, successful choices for my future?

Key Concepts

Understanding college application forms (Common App, individual applications, etc.)
Develop application components such as a college essay, academic records, etc.
Organizing application materials (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)
The writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing

Skills

Note-taking strategies (Cornell method, mind-mapping, outlining, etc.)
Participate in small group discussions, supporting ideas with sources
Writing a series of college essays that effectively addresses application requirements
Manage application deadlines, letters of recommendation, and required documentation
Effectively communicate with teachers, counselors, and college admissions offices

Activities

Take notes over college application terminology
Students will write multiple college essays based on common college prompts
Students will prepare a packet for teachers or mentors who will write their letters of recommendation, including a summary of their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal goals
Watch video over College Applications or annotate articles

Assessments

College Application #1 – #5
Letters of Recommendation Packet (send out to teachers)

Unit 5 | Financial Literacy & Preparing for Financial Aid

Duration

5-6 weeks

Essential Question

What are the steps in effectively managing finances and applying for financial aid for my postsecondary plans?

Key Concepts

Budgeting and saving money; understanding credit, loans, and financial aid
Scholarships, grants, loans, work study— what they are and differences between them
Understanding FAFSA and other financial aid forms; cost of college and student loans
Financial planning for independence

Skills

Create a personal budget and savings plan
Understand the basics of credit, student loans, and financial aid
Research and prepare for / apply for scholarships
Analyze the long-term cost and benefits of different postsecondary pathways

Activities

Create a budget using real-life examples (e.g., living expenses, tuition costs, etc.)
Research types of financial aid and scholarship opportunities; discuss repayment options and strategies
Writing effective scholarship essays (practice and preparedness)
Mock FAFSA or financial aid form in order to practice what will be done senior year
Create a financial plan for personal finances as well as any college- or career-related expenses

Assessments

Personal budget project: plan out how you are going to establish financial goals and good habits before graduation
Scholarship Search Log: students will research and start to prepare for / apply to THREE (3) scholarships
Financial Literacy Quiz and journal reflections — Take THREE (3) times throughout this unit
Reflection essay (or project) on financial planning for college and career

Unit 6 | Senior Year Transition

Duration

5-6 weeks

Essential Question

How can I successfully transition to senior year with a clear vision of my future plans?

Key Concepts

Transitioning from junior year to senior year
Developing a plan for senior year success
Maintaining motivation and time management throughout the year
Reflecting on growth and preparing for future challenges

Skills

Create a senior year action plan (academics, applications, deadlines, etc.)
Reflect on high school experiences and set post-graduation goals
Develop strategies for staying motivated and on-track during the final year

Activities

Guest speaker (Post-Secondary Advisor & Counselors) about junior-to-senior-year transition
Create a senior year checklist for applications, scholarships, and key deadlines
Write a reflection on personal growth as well as college and career readiness
Peer presentations on postsecondary plans and the steps to achieve them
Final college or career action plan

Assessments

Guest speaker notes and reflection
Senior Year Checklist & Action Plan
"Where Am I Now? Where Do I Want To Go?" Reflection Essay
Final Presentation on Senior Year & Postsecondary Plans

10th GRADE

ELECTIVE

12th GRADE

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