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

9th Grade

Year 1

The first 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.

Students will work on academic and personal goals and communication, adjusting to the high school setting. Students will increase awareness of their personal contributions to their learning as well as involvement in their school and community. There is an emphasis on analytical writing and focusing on personal goals. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support ideas and opinions. Students will refine study skills and test-taking, note-taking, and research techniques. Their college research will include financial topics and building their knowledge of colleges and careers of interest.

Semester 1: Building Foundations

Unit 1 | Introduction to High School & Goal Setting

Duration

2-3 weeks

Essential Question

How can set meaningful goals to help me succeed in high school and beyond?

Key Concepts

Adjusting to high school academics and social life
Establishing personal academic and extracurricular goals
Time management and balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities
Growth mindset — developing resilience and perseverance
Reflecting on past achievements and areas for growth

Skills

Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound)
Self-reflection and self-assessment techniques
Creating an action plan to reach academic and personal goals

Activities

Personal goal-setting worksheet
Weekly journal entries reflecting on progress and challenges
Group discussion on what it means to "adjust to high school"
Visual or digital "vision board" that outlines personal goals

Assessments

Goal-setting project and presentation (SMART goals with an action plan)
Participation in group discussions and self-reflection activities

Unit 2 | Study Skills & Academic Habits

Duration

4-5 weeks

Essential Question

What study habits and strategies will help me succeed in high school and prepare me for after graduation?

Key Concepts

Effective study habits: organization, time management, and prioritization
Test-taking strategies and dealing with test anxiety
The importance of active listening and taking notes for all classes
The five steps of focused note-taking and reviewing materials regularly
Understanding learning styles and tailoring study methods for individual preferences

Skills

Note-taking strategies (Cornell method, mind-mapping, outlining, etc.)
Organizing academic materials (folders, planners, digital tools, etc.)
Preparing for and taking tests efficiently
Using resources (teachers, tutors, online tools) to support learning

Activities

Create personalized study schedule
Practice note-taking during class lectures or group activities
Conduct a mock quiz / test and practice effective test-taking strategies
Group discussion on the challenges of study and how to overcome them
TED Talk over study skills and procrastination

Assessments

Weekly study plan reflection
Notes from class lectures or TED Talks (evaluate organization, clarity, and the five steps of note-taking)
Participation in test practice and disucssion of strategies

Unit 3 | Collaborative Learning & Problem-Solving

Duration

4-5 weeks

Essential Question

How can I use collaborative learning to deepen my understanding of academic material and strengthen my problem-solving skills?

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 ofpeer tutoring in fostering collaboration and enhancing understanding
Active participation in a study group, using questioning and problem-sovling 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

Semester 2: Expanding Horizons

Unit 4 | Analytical Writing & Communication Skills

Duration

2-3 weeks

Essential Question

How can I communicate my ideas effectively through writing and discussion?

Key Concepts

The writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
Analytical writing skills: strong thesis statements, supoprting ideas with evidence
Annotating texts to find strong evidence and to practice analytical commentary
Communicating ideas clearly in both written and verbal formats
Collaborative discussion: listening, responding respectfully, and building on ideas

Skills

Writing an argumentative essay on a topic of personal or academic interest
Participate in small group debate / discussion, supporting ideas with sources
Peer review workshop to provide and receive feedback on writing
Reflective journaling on personal communication styles and areas for growth

Activities

Write an argumentative essay on a topic
Annotate multiple sources of information to find strong evidence and draft analytical commentary
Participate in small group discussion / debate, supporting ideas with sources
Peer review and revision techniques

Assessments

Argumentative essay (focus on structure, clarity, and use of evidence)
Participation in group discussions / debates
Peer review feedback

Unit 5 | College & Career Exploration

Duration

3-4 weeks

Essential Question

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

Key Concepts

Introduction to the college application: types of colleges, timelines, requirements, etc.
Exploring career paths and understanding how interests and skills influence choices
Financial literacy: understanding scholarships, financial aid, budgeting money, etc.
Building a career portfolio (resume, etc.) and setting early career goals

Skills

Researching colleges, including admission requirements, programs, and costs
Exploring career options based on interests and skills
Understanding the basis of financial aid (scholarships, FAFSA) and college savings plans
Creating a career portfolio (academic resume, personal resume, etc.)

Activities

Research TEN (10) colleges, universities, technical schools, apprenticeships, or ALL of the military branches, and present findings (costs, programs, financial aid options, benefits, etc.)
Complete a career interest survey and research possible career paths and do a presentation over findings
Participate in a financial literacy workshop on budgeting and saving for college
Create both an academic and a personal resume for future reference (saved in Google Drive for the future)

Assessments

Career Interest Survey
Career Paths Presentation
Future Research Project (college pennants, presentations, website, video, etc.)
Academic and Personal Resumes

Unit 6 | Leadership, Collaboration, & Community Engagement

Duration

4-5 weeks

Essential Question

How can I be an active and positive contributor to my school and community?

Key Concepts

Understanding leadership and how to demosntrate it through actions
Collaboration in diverse teams and learning how to contribute productively
Engaging in community service and understanding its importance for personal growth
Understanding how high school involvement can influence future opportunities

Skills

Participating in and leading group projects
Understanding the value of volunteerism and civic engagement
Developing teamwork and communication skills
Reflecting on the impact of community involvement on personal growth

Activities

Plan and execute a small group service project (e.g., tutoring peers, organizing a charity event, planning a large volunteer opportunity at a local or Kansas City organization, etc.)
Attend a leadership workshop or guest speaker event
Participate in school clubs or community service activities and reflect on the experience
Group discussion on leadership qualities and the importance of community engagement
Read and annotate a series of articles about the necessity of community service and volunteerism
TED Talk over volunteerism

Assessments

Reflective journal on leadership and service activities
Group project (community service or school event planning)
Participation in collaborative discussions and activities

Unit 7 | Final Reflection & Looking Ahead

Duration

2 weeks

Essential Question

How can I take what I've learned and set myself up for success next year and beyond?

Key Concepts

Reflecting on personal and academic growth over the school year
Setting long-term goals for high school success, college prep, and career exploration and readiness
Creating a plan for continuing to build on skills learned in the course
Celebrating achievements and identifying areas for continued growth

Skills

Self-assessment and reflection on progress
Developing a comprehensive plan for personal and academic success
Communicating goals and progress o others (family, teachers, mentors, etc.)

Activities

Complete a final reflective portfolio showcasing key learnings, growth, and goals
Prepare a final presentation summarizing personal and academic achievements and goals for the future
Peer feedback on goals and action plans for high school and beyond

Assessments

Final Portfolio (including self-assessment, goal-setting plan, and reflection)
Final Presentation
Peer feedback and group discussion on future aspirations

ELECTIVE

10th GRADE

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