Academic and Career Planning (ACP) is a 4-part process of Know, Explore, Plan, and Go which students develop throughout middle school and high school. At Weston School District, we are proud that we have implemented college and career planning with students and will continue to do so.

PI-26 is the legislation that requires Academic and Career Planning to take place in all public schools in the State of Wisconsin. Each school district must provide evidence of its implementation of PI-26.

To be college and career-ready, all students in grades 6-12 create an Academic & Career Plan. Students will have the opportunity to take coursework and gain experiences that align with their post-secondary plans. This also includes students with disabilities who have Individualized Education Programs (IEP)/Postsecondary Transition Plans (PTP), as well as students with Section 504 Accommodation Plans, English Language Learners, students who are Gifted and or Talented, students who are homeless, and students considered neglected and delinquent. These experiences will build credentials that have value for college admissions and future employment.

Wisconsin State Statute 115.28(59) requires that school districts be provided computer software to be used statewide to provide academic and career planning (ACP) services to pupils in grades 6 to 12. Since August 2019, Xello allows students to access a personal account provided by the school. Students can use this software to take career-related assessments, explore online career and college profiles, and get information about financial aid and employment.

Xello Login

To enable all students to reach their full potential through a safe, responsible, and respectful learning community.

The School Board of the Weston School District shall provide access to education for employment programs approved by the state superintendent. The purpose of the education for employment program is to prepare elementary and secondary pupils for employment, to promote cooperation between business and industry and public schools, and to establish a role for public schools in the economic development of Wisconsin. 

The Weston School District provides students with the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities including Youth Apprenticeship, Dual Enrollment courses, Transcripted courses through Southwest Technical College, and involvement in Career and Technical Students Organizations (CTSOs) like FBLA and FFA. Additionally, all Weston students create a graduation portfolio that includes ACP activities from their entire high school career. Examples of these activities are annual job shadows, reflections from our annual Career Day, technical school and university college visits, and demonstration of career soft skills.

School District of Weston staff, parents, community members, and business and educational partners all play a part in ensuring our students are college and career ready.

Since 2024, all students graduating from Weston have created and presented their Graduation Portfolio. Students create their individualized Graduation Portfolio that houses their ACP activities, goals, volunteer hours, and required ACP documentation. Families can access these through their student's Google Drive.

Family engagement is essential in the ACP process. Weston School District communicates with and involves families about ACP through many different forms of communication:

• District newsletter

• District website

• Individually via parent-teacher conferences

• Sophomore year planning meetings

• Title One Community Nights

• Parent/Guardian email

The School District of Weston partners with several area businesses. These partnerships are developed in part through our Youth Apprenticeship program, Career Fair, job shadows, and associations with alumni. We understand our responsibility to react to our changing local labor market and prepare our students for careers to make our local economy thrive. From 2020 to 2030, the South Central Workforce Development Area, which includes Sauk County, employment is expected to grow by 11.2% or 55,901 jobs. This growth outpaces the state, which is projected to grow by 6.3%. Significant industries of growth are: leisure and hospitality; information; and education and health services.

The School of Weston has a strong partnership with local technical colleges and universities:

• CESA 3

• Southwest Technical College

• University of Wisconsin - Platteville

• University of Wisconsin- La Crosse

• Local Armed Forces

Each year, all our middle school and high school staff have professional development from our CTE/ACP team to assist students in the ACP process. As our SOAR advisers, our staff guide students through the process of career exploration, setting and reflecting on academic and personal goals, gaining soft employment skills, and with their graduation portfolios.

Youth Apprenticeship is an "earn while you learn" program for high school juniors and seniors, operated by Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Students gain hands-on skills from employers through paid work experience and take related coursework to support their training in a specific career area.

Required Program Elements

Youth Apprenticeship is described in the course handbook as a work-based learning program. The following elements must be included in a Work-Based Learning (WBL) syllabus or guide that describes the program:

• Minimum required hours per school year: 450 hours

• Student positions are paid

• Hands-on training for students

• The program is operated by a YA Coordinator in collaboration with school and employers

• 6 Criteria of Work-Based Learning (WBL) documented and universally offered to students
   

  1. Minimum required hours per school year: 450 hours

  2. Real workplace environment

  3. Firsthand engagement with tasks

  4. Aligns with an academic content course

  5. Training agreement is in place

  6. Documented evaluation and supervision conducted by both the business and education partners

  Learn more about Youth Apprenticeship by visiting the Department of Public Instruction- Youth Apprenticeship page.

Alternative education refers to other program choices available for students to gain high school credit. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, guidelines, and procedures. Alternate education programs are subject to approval by the District Administrator, counselor, and families of students.

Alternative Education Courses may be taken for three reasons:

1. To gain elective credit from courses that otherwise are not offered at Weston High School

2. To gain high school or college credit

3. To make up failed core classes at the high school grade level