BPS has launched Xello as the district's college and career planning platform for all students. MyCAP is the framework. Xello is the tool that powers it. Click the link below to give you everything you need to get started, support students, and integrate both into your advisory or classroom.

Help your students through the college application process.

From building college lists to comparing financial aid offers, this section gives you the tools to support students at every stage — 9th grade through Decision Day.

Downloads & Links

• Visit the Navigating the College Application Process page for resources on navigating the college application process.

• Research colleges and universities according to location, cost, degrees offered, and many other categories at College Scorecard and Big Future.

• List of colleges that accept the Common App

• 26-27 Common Application Essay Questions

• Getting a college recommendation

• Link to upcoming SAT test dates

• What to expect on testing day

• 12 Test Prep Tips for SAT and ACT Takers

• What's a Good SAT Score?

NACAC Application Fee Waivers & Other Resources

FAFSA: Comparing School Financial Aid Offers

What's New on the Common App for Counselors and Recommenders

Connect your students to the programs they don't know exist.

A recent BSAC survey found that most BPS students — even those in school leadership roles — were unaware of major college access and career programs available to them. These tools help you change that.

Downloads, Links & Activities

Guiding Students to Set Up Professional Networks to Prepare for the Future

What's the Right Way to Find A Mentor?

Networking Tips for High School Students: How to Grow Your Network

Big Future: Networking Basics for High School Students

35+ Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students

UStrive offers FREE online mentoring from professionals in various fields, including doctors, educators, consultants, IT, and more!

A Student’s Guide to Finding and Utilizing a Mentor

Internships and apprenticeships are a great way to get hands-on experience while building your professional network. 

Digital Ready provides students with hand-on experience within in-demand fields. The application for their Fall 2026 PAID Tech Apprenticeship is now open. Fields include architecture, biotech, computer science, engineering, and more! Application here.

The Flagship Clubhouse provides a free, safe, after-school program where young people from underserved communities work with adult and peer mentors to explore ideas, develop new skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology and creative materials.

Hyde Square Task Force Want to explore acting, learn dance, or play music? In Jóvenes en Acción, teens learn Afro-Latin arts, participate in mentoring, and get involved in their community. Jóvenes en Acción/Youth in Action (JEA) is HSTF's free, year-round program for youth in grades 8-12 that combines Afro-Latin arts, education and mentoring support, and civic engagement and youth organizing training. Click here to apply.

Zumix is a place to learn music, songwriting, production, radio, filmmaking…and put those skills to use! Fall programs are now open. Apply here.

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies offers a wide variety of apprenticeships and internships. Students in high school and college can apply! Learn more here.

Apprenticeship.gov is the one-stop source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources. Discover apprenticeships across industries, how programs are started by employers, and how to become an apprentice.

The Department of Defense (DOD) STEM has opportunities for students of all ages, educators, and professionals. Check out these STEM programs, internships, scholarships, and more here!

Career Exploration

• Explore the Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) online, which provides career cluster inventory and skill assessments to help students match their interests and skills with career paths.

• Explore US News & World Report’s Top 10 lists to start making a personal list of reach, target, and likely schools to apply to.

• Research colleges and universities according to location, cost, degrees offered,  and many other categories at College Scorecard and Big Future.

• Check out LinkedIn. Who are the adults who are doing the work you’re interested in doing? Connect to build your professional network. Check out LinkedIn’s Checklist for High School Students.

• Have students check in with their PIC Career Specialist for tips about resume building and summer internships.

• Create a resume using these tips

• Use the ONet tool to explore potential future careers and how to get there

Activities

For lower elementary students: Have students discuss and learn about their path (graduate elementary school, middle school, and high school) to college and what they might need to pack for it. 

For elementary students: Start a class discussion about how, in order to reach our goal of going to college, we must make smaller immediate goals to build up to the big ones. Students write SMART academic goals with a plan of action and an accomplishment date. 

For elementary students: Have 3 essay questions from the Common App for your students to choose to write about. Depending on the level you may need to modify the questions. Be sure to highlight the importance of choosing the question they can write the most passionately about and with clear detail.  

For all students: Download a copy of the Common Application (used to apply to over 700 colleges and universities nationwide) and lead an age-appropriate discussion about different parts of the application. For example, look at essay questions, basic requirements, and talk about the need to include references.  

For all students: Students conduct research to look up famous people, the college they went to, and what they studied. Then use the research to create a “Guess where I went to college” flap board.