WCSD Academic & Career Planning

Waunakee Community School District is committed to providing academic and career planning support and activities for our students in grades 5-12. As part of our process, students will have opportunities throughout the year to participate in required and optional activities that will guide them through post-secondary academic and career exploration and goal planning. We believe that the ACP process is a collaborative effort between our students, school staff, parents, and the community to support ALL WCSD students.

What is ACP? Academic and Career Planning, or ACP, is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills. Why ACP? Education for Employment was established in 1985 in response to the growing concern over the number of youth who failed to make a successful transition from school to postsecondary endeavors. s. 121.02 (1)(m), Wis. Stats., states that every school board shall provide access to an Education for Employment program. Chapter PI 26, the administrative rule for this program, was revised and became effective on July 1, 2004.  On June 30, 2013, Wisconsin Statute 115.28(59) was signed to require implementation of academic and career planning (ACP) statewide beginning in 2017-18 for pupils enrolled in grades 6 to 12 in a school district. It was determined that rather than creating a new rule addressing ACP, the current PI26 would be updated and revised to include the required ACP components. Reference:  Wisconsin Department of Instruction, https://dpi.wi.gov/acp.  WCSD ACP Activity Highlights by Grade Level   Grade Level Activity Highlights Grade 5 Career cluster discussions Grade 6 Xello interest inventories and inventory self-reflection Grade 7 Xello career cluster exploration Elective area presentations and course selection Job interview unit with resume and mock interview Grade 8 Xello setting career and life goals  Future Quest Small group conferencing with counseling staff Future Freshman Night (Elective Course Presentations) Grade 9 Xello ability profiler Development of freshmen educational plan Middle to high school transition self-reflection Grade 10 Xello post-secondary plan Career Workshop course completion with emphasis on career research, job applications, cover letter/resume development, and interviewing skills Career Workshop presentation by counseling staff (post-academic planning) Sophomore conference (incl. parents) with counseling staff Development of sophomore educational plan Sophomore class registration meeting Grade 11 Development of junior educational plan Xello journaling Naviance Brag sheets and letters of recommendation Naviance College comparisons Financial Aid Night College 101 small group meetings ACT and WorkKeys exams Post High School Planning Program Junior class registration meeting Grade 12 Development of senior educational plan Xello journaling Naviance ordering transcripts Senior class meeting with college essay writing workshop Scholarship Drive   To explore the full WCSD ACP Activity Grid by grade level, please click here.

Industry Certification is a process of program evaluation ensuring that individual programs meet industry standards in the areas of curriculum, teacher certification, lab specifications, equipment, and industry involvement.  

Waunakee Community High School offers several different opportunities for students to earn industry certification. Students achieving a required score on industry certification tests will be eligible to be recognized by industry for the course work completed at the high school level.

Industry Certifications are proof for students to show they have the advanced knowledge that industry is searching for as they fill necessary employment positions.  The certifications are a great way to put yourself a step above the rest when it comes to future applications and interviews.

Individual Career and Technical Education classroom instructors will communicate with students how to go about taking the industry certification test. Currently, the following certifications may be offered and available through Waunakee High School courses:

• State Certified Skills Standard Program Certification
• Youth Apprenticeship Certification
• Adobe Certified Associate Certification
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certifications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
• Assistant Child Care Teacher (ACCT)
• ProStart
• CNA (through the Youth Apprenticeship or Youth Options program)
• Pharmacy Tech (through the Youth Apprenticeship program)
• A*S*K Marketing Certifications
• A*S*K Business/Finance Certifications

Please see the School to Career Coordinator, Ms. McGlynn, for questions regarding certifications.  This list is updated annually.

WASDA Wisconsin Redefining Ready (WiRR) is a cohort of School Districts telling their story in a more complete manner than via a State Report Card or other required vehicles. The WiRR Scorecard tells a story about a School District’s effort to prepare graduates to be College and Career Ready. Using the American Association of School Administrator’s research based College and Career Indicators, the WiRR Scorecard is produced annually with School Districts using the various indicators to drive school improvement, align efforts to Academic and Career Planning, and to celebrate success.

Waunakee Redefining Ready Class of 2022 Scorecard (coming soon!)

Becoming a teacher gives you the opportunity to make an impact on society by shaping our next generation through providing students with the tools and knowledge to form their own opinions, make a contribution, and influence society in the future. Teachers help shape every career pathway and teach problem-solving, collaboration, independence, and innovation.

Future Educator Intern

Students must apply for this experience. In order to provide an opportunity for our students who are interested in Education as a future career pathway (not including Early Childhood Education), students may apply to this unpaid internship program. To align with current programming, this program would be similar to both the State Certified Coop and Youth Apprenticeship Programs. The program includes a partnership with a Waunakee (or other local) licensed educator who is willing to mentor a High School student, in 11 and/or 12 grade, in an Education Pathway. The partnership would focus on grades K-6. A skills checklist will be established and used to evaluate the HS student at the end of the program, with periodic in-person evaluations to be completed by the School to Career Coordinator. Students will be allowed to schedule internship releases into their schedule the same as other work based learning students, and would be responsible for their own transportation to the approved internship site. An hour requirement would be 90 logged hours per semester to earn 0.5 credit or 180 logged hours to earn 1.0 credit. There would be no pay involved, but students would earn either 0.5 or 1.0 credit per semester for the internship based on the minimum hour requirement being met as well as journaling requirements and a record of
successful evaluations. Students may repeat this experience for up to two years.

Assistant Child Care Teacher (ACCT) Certification

The Wisconsin Assistant Child Care Teacher (ACCT) Cooperative Education Certificate recognizes a student’s mastery of employability skills valued by employers in a variety of worksite settings while helping students explore career interests.  Students enrolled in Child Care II at the high school level will have the opportunity to earn this certification in class.

State Certified Child Care Coop

Available in the area of Assistant Child Care Teacher, students must be concurrently enrolled in a related class each semester. Students should have completed the Assistant Child Care Teaching certification (ACCT) program before enrolling in a State Certified Co-op. The State Certified Co-op work based education program puts into action the skills and principles which students have learned in their related courses. Students will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while they are still in school. Students will be able to earn a state certified certificate upon successful completion of their portfolios. Students may be eligible to earn school-approved work release in order to complete their work requirements. Students must complete: 480 hours of on-the-job experience during the year, all meeting and journaling requirements, and a skills portfolio in order to earn 1.0 credit per semester.

UW-Whitewater - Special Education Teacher Early College Program (Project PARA)

Any senior student considering a future as a Special Education Teacher should consider this opportunity!  UW-Whitewater is offering a dual credit course, Intro to Special Education (SPECED 205).  The course will be available in an online format.  In the summer, the university will also be offering, at no cost to students, a pre-professional development opportunity (an equivalent course required of all Special Education majors), again in an online format.  Students who complete these courses/workshops successfully and are admitted to UW-Whitewater will earn the credit bearing equivalent course.  Many students go on to be hired as Special Education paraprofessionals while completing university coursework for Special Education teaching licensure.

Please see Mrs. McGlynn in the counseling office to discuss any of these future educator pathway opportunities!

Certified Nursing Assistant There are many benefits for earning your Nursing Assistant Certificate while still in high school.  There are also many different ways to enroll in a course that will prepare you to take the state certification test.  Your first step is to determine when your personal schedule will work best for taking the Madison College course or an alternate CNA Program Course, which may be associated with our Youth Apprenticeship program.  Next you should determine when you hope to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The answer to those two questions will help you narrow down when best to take the course.  Remember, in order to renew your Nursing Assistant Certificate, you need to work in the field within two years of earning the certificate. All options described below will have to follow these application steps, specific to Madison College: Earn a 60 or above on the ACCUPLACER or COMPASS reading test from Madison College OR score a 13 or higher on the ACT Reading test (Madison College only) Sign up for a Madison College account Sign up for a Certified Background Check account and pay fee Complete a Background check Complete a Health History Form  More information can be found a the Madison College Nursing Assistant Registration Page. For our Quality CNA Program, please email michellemcglynn@waunakee.k12.wi.us to request a digital application that should be returned in order to sign up for available classes in the area.  Once an application is submitted, Available class options will be shared. Option 1: Taking the course during the Summer. (Between Sophomore and Junior or Junior and Senior Years) Best option for students wishing to participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program Junior or Senior Year Does not interfere with school schedules and will allow you to take a full schedule during the school year May interfere with family vacations or mission trips etc... May choose to enroll at Madison College or through the Waunakee STC Coordinator (Quality CNA) Option 2: Taking the course sometime during the school year. Offers various times and places to take the course in both semesters Must sign up through the Start College Now program if interested in attending Madison College (deadlines apply) Must sign up early through the Waunakee STC Coordinator for the Quality CNA course Options for courses are usually offered late afternoons or evenings, and potentially weekends Could interfere with school breaks May still participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program once the certification is earned Students wishing to participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program need to complete a Youth Apprenticeship application found on the Youth Apprenticeship website.  For questions and more information please see Ms. McGlynn, School to Career Coordinator. Students MAY pursue their CNA without being part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program.

The following off-site courses are available to students who have a serious interest in the health science career pathway and who sign up with the STC Coordinator prior to classes reaching capacity. The courses listed below are available to students in high schools that are part of the Dane County School Consortium. Student fees for each course listed below will be covered by the STC Coordinator, but transportation to the courses listed are the student's responsibility. Biotechnology in the World of Medicine Biomedical science is an applied science discipline that studies the development and function of the human body at a molecular, cellular and whole body level, and focuses on diseases, drugs and re-search related to human health. This discipline offers a variety of career options at all educational levels for those who have obtained at least a high school diploma.  High school juniors and seniors will explore technologies used in the biomedical field. The Grand Challenges in Human Health, a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be utilized as a framework. This project is focused on one unifying purpose: to create new tools that can radically improve human health, especially in the developing world.  If interested please contact Ms. McGlynn, School to Career Coordinator, or your School Counselor. This course can be taken for HS Credit. Class will be held at Biopharmaceutical Technology Center in Fitchburg Class will be on Tuesday nights from 4:15 -7:00 p.m. Class will run mid-September – mid-January Course flyer - Pending

The Employability Skills program offers students in 11th or 12th grade the opportunity to earn high school elective credit for working at a jobsite during the school year. Students must work a total of 90 hours per semester and complete additional homework requirements (online journals, coordinator meetings during Contact Time, Skills Portfolio). Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to earn an Employability Skills Certificate from the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This certificate is proof for students to show prospective employers they have what it takes when it comes to 21st Century Employability skills. Students will also earn a half credit per semester upon successful completion of the program, and may be eligible for work release during the school day.

Students interested in the program are required to meet with the School to Career Coordinator, Michelle McGlynn, to obtain necessary forms and approval.

More information on the State Employability Skills Program can be found at Wisconsin DPI Employability Skills Standard Program.

CONNECTING STUDENTS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYERS TO TALENT

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a 1 or 2-year program that gives juniors and seniors in high school the chance to explore a career area of interest. Students can spend part of their school day earning credit and wages while they gain valuable industry experience under the guidance of a local business mentor.

The Wisconsin YA Program is offered to Waunakee HS juniors and seniors who are willing to commit to a paid work experience of 450 hours per year, who enroll in concurrent related instruction, and who would like to earn school credit for a work based experience in their chosen future career pathway.  Waunakee students, parents, or community members who are interested in learning more about this program should contact Ms. Michelle McGlynn to request program resources. Successful completion of the program will include earning one elective credit per semester, a certification from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, a paid work experience with an experienced mentor, and a priceless work based learning experience that will support students in future career endeavors.

Dual Enrollment or Dual Credit offers a chance for high school students to earn college credit within the walls of the traditional high school. The high school teacher is approved by the partnering institution to teach a curriculum that is aligned with the college.  Students earning a passing grade (college scale) will earn that grade on a college transcript from the partnering institution.

At Waunakee Community High School, the partnering institutions are Madison College (courses designated as "DC") or UW-Oshkosh (courses designated as "CAPP").  Students are eligible to earn credit in several different Career and Technical Education courses, as well as our Senior Algebra course, and several of our capstone world language courses (French V, Spanish V and Spanish VI).  The chart below represents the latest information available regarding Dual Credit Options at Waunakee Community High School.  Please keep in mind that the high school teacher will have the most up to date information available.  Please direct questions to the certified classroom teacher or Ms. McGlynn, School to Career Coordinator.

DUAL CREDIT HIGH SCHOOL COURSES (effective 2022-23)

• Accounting I
• Biotech Career Apps
• Biotechnology
• French V
• Marketing I
• Medical Terminology
• Metal Fabrication
• MS Excel & Access
• MS Office Advanced
• Senior Mathematical Reasoning
• Spanish V and Spanish VI
• Welding
• Start College Now (SCN) or Early College Credit Program (ECCP) Courses (varies)

High School students in grades 9 through 12 may participate in the Early College Credit program and enroll in UW System institutions, private non-profit higher education institution, and tribally controlled colleges in the State of Wisconsin to take courses which lead to credit granted toward high school graduation, or for college credit only if they are not comparable to a course offered at the high school.

The Board of Education will limit the credits for which the district will pay at institutions of higher education under the Early College Credit Program to 18 credits per student.

The Board of Education is responsible for costs of a student attending institutions of higher education under the Early College Credit Program as defined in statute where the course is not comparable to a course offered in the Waunakee Community School District. If the student is taking a non-comparable course under the Early College Credit Program for college credit only the student’s family is responsible for 25% of the cost. Any student costs that would otherwise be allowed under the program will be waived if they pose an undue financial burden to the student’s family.

If a pupil received a failing grade or fails to complete an Early College Credit Program course for which the Board of Education has made payment, the Board will request reimbursement from the student/family.

Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and student. State reimbursement may be available through direct application by the parent/guardian or student to the Department of Public Instruction.

Additional procedures relating to the implementation of Start College Now and Early College Credit Program will be addressed in administrative guidelines.

Legal Ref.: Section 118.55 Wisconsin Statutes PI40 Wisconsin
Administrative Code Cross Ref.: 345.4-Rule, Promotional and Retention of Students 345.6, High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures

ECCP applications and other resources can be found at the ECCP link below.  Students need to complete the "UW System ECCP Participation Form" and turn it into the Counseling office in order to apply for the program.  If you have questions please see your School Counselor or Ms. McGlynn, the School to Career Coordinator.

Early College Credit Program Information Page

Applications for the ECCP are due to Ms. McGlynn in the Counseling Office by:
Fall Semester Courses ~ March 1;
and Spring Semester Courses ~ October 1.  

All students completing ECCP applications also need to complete the Transportation Agreement and turn in with their applications.  Please see application procedures for your intended institution below.  Talk with your counselor or Ms. McGlynn if you have questions.

UW System ECCP Procedures

Visit the following website for specific options through the University of Wisconsin-Madison:  High School Students.  Return the application form to the counseling office on or before the due date for the corresponding semester.  Admission requirements include:  high school junior or senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher, and support for your academic plan from your high school counselor, principal, and board of education.

Wisconsin Private/Tribal School ECCP Procedures

Visit the following website for specific options at private and/or tribal Wisconsin universities:  ECCP Information.  Return the application form to the counseling office on or before the due date for the corresponding semester.

Eleventh and twelfth grade students may participate in the Start College Now and enroll at institutions of the Wisconsin Technical College to take courses which lead to credit granted toward high school graduation.

The Board of Education is responsible for the costs of 11th and 12th grade students attending technical colleges under the Start College Now program only if the course is taken for high school credit and the course is not comparable to a course offered in the Waunakee Community School District. Courses taken at a technical college may be taken at school district cost under conditions established by statute.

The Board of Education will limit the credits for which the district will pay at technical colleges under Start College Now to 18 credits per student.

If a pupil received a failing grade or fails to complete a Start College Now course for which the Board of Education has made payment, the Board of Education will request reimbursement from the student/family. If the student/family fails to provide reimbursement for the dropped or failed courses(s) the student will no longer be eligible for participation in the Start College Now program.

Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and student. State reimbursement may be available through direct application by the parent/guardian or student to the Department of Public Instruction.

Legal Ref.: Section 118.55 Wisconsin Statutes PI40 Wisconsin Administrative Code
Cross Ref.: 345.4-Rule, Promotional and Retention of Students 345.6, High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures

For more information on the Wisconsin Technical College System's Start College Now, visit this link.  The link includes program information, application instructions, and the program application.

Applications for the Start College Now program are due to Ms. McGlynn in the Counseling Office by:
Fall Semester Course ~ March 1;
Spring Semester Course ~ October 1.