Career and College Readiness

Our vision to have every student prepared for college is bold and highly aspirational.

College readiness does not start in high school. Every level of our district – from early childhood to high school – must be aligned to this vision of college readiness.

As a district, we have individually and collectively committed to taking whatever actions are necessary each day to design engaging learning experiences that meet the unique and varied needs of each student. This focus is necessary to put each young person on a trajectory to pursue whatever direction they may take beyond graduation, be that college or career. The research supporting the importance of this focus continues to grow. The following two data points provide just a sampling of this data:

• About 70 percent of the jobs in Minnesota within the next five years will require post-secondary training
• Minnesota currently ranks 49th out of 50 states in the number of jobs that require a high school diploma or less(Source: Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce)

The goal of the 12 x 12 project is for each student to earn 12 college credits by the end of 12th grade.

Multiple pathways for meeting this end goal are in place, including embedded college courses through Anoka Ramsey Community College, Advanced Placement coursework, Career and College Pathways courses such as Opportunities in Emergency Care and child development courses, and College in the Schools through the University of Minnesota. The addition of AVID at grades 6-12 opens possibilities for all students to be successful in these pathways by learning and using the academic, career, and life skills and strategies that are needed not only for more rigorous coursework, but in life beyond high school and college. Multiple pathways for meeting the 12 x 12 goal are in place, including the following.