It's 7 AM, your teen's alarm is going off and the morning rush begins. They scramble around the house to grab breakfast and catch a ride to school, where they'll be shuffled between classes all day. After school, they're off to extracurricular activities only to be seen again at dinner. Then, they shut their bedroom door to finish homework hours past sundown and before falling asleep just to do it all over again the next day. Our students start balancing studies, friends, passions, downtime, and family at a much earlier age than we did.
Imagine the freedom our children would experience with a curriculum that empowers them to choose their own destiny for their education. K12's full-time high school career readiness program, Destinations Career Academy, helps students succeed with a more practical approach. Your student can spend more time pursuing passions while diving into practical applications of those passions for whatever comes next after graduation.
For our students, hands-on learning beats sitting in a classroom any day. A personalized learning schedule offers students the freedom to maximize their teenage years by loving their extracurricular activities, thriving in their studies, and maintaining the social life we all know is very important to them. Allowing these soon-to-be adults the power to take control of their education prepares them for the life, family, and career responsibilities we know we didn't always feel ready for.
8:30 AM - Core Classes
When you were younger, did you imagine a world in which teachers spoke to you from a screen instead of standing in front of a classroom? Well, that's not fiction anymore. To kick off the school day, students dive right into core classes: the standard subjects of math, science, history, and English.
Our teacher-led online sessions, called Class Connects, allow for plenty of interaction. Through class sessions, students connect with their peers and teachers in a video conferencing environment. Additionally, our teachers often host distraction-free office hours tailored to your student needs. Your student has a question; instead of pausing instruction, your student types the issue into a chat window with no distractions. All students benefit from their peers chiming in on the topic and gaining clarity with more efficiency. In a math class, your student uses our voice features when showing their work on a problem that's stumping them, creating a more personable interaction with their peers and teacher. During group projects, students meet virtually to complete their goals. In a world in which two-thirds of workers believe that emerging technology will create new opportunities for them, we see virtual interactions like these preparing students to join the workforce in all industries, particularly healthcare.
10:30 AM - Health and Human Services Electives
Now the excitement really starts to pick up, and it is not even lunch time yet! Students put aside their textbooks and dive into their chosen career pathway through project-based learning. These courses range from Medical Terminology to Sports Medicine. In career-oriented electives, students work with practical applications rather than receiving instruction. The Association of Experiential Education has found that hands-on learning experiences require students to "take the initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for results." Even when students make a mistake, they learn to fix it—a valuable skill to have in any workplace. Destination's Healthcare Explorations class involves long-term projects that mirror routine tasks for healthcare professionals. Working through real-life scenarios empowersstudents to learn in line with their unique style.
Health and Human Services students will be exposed to interactive teaching tools for a technology-driven healthcare industry. Interacting with these tools can feel like a favorite Grey's Anatomy episode come to life.
1 PM - Work-Based Learning
When most high schoolers are fighting the after-lunch slump, Destinations Career Academy students are kicking it into high gear and working with industry professionals. A flexible schedule allows your student to work or volunteer in a professional healthcare setting while pursuing their high school diploma. Whether it be with a physical therapist, dentist, or pharmacist, your student can build connections. Internships, apprenticeships, and job shadows are all great ways for students to see how the skills they have learned in their project-based learning are applied in the real world. Building these professional mentor relationships sets our students apart in their future careers.
Destinations students also have the ease of access to two tools that jumpstart their careers. Tallo is a networking platform that connects students to opportunities. Finding employers, colleges, and scholarships can be difficult, but Tallo helps guide your student in the right direction. Nepris is a tool aiming to get students working in the real world. It helps students find the proper apprenticeships, job shadows, or internships that work for them.
4 PM - Independent Learning
After a busy day filled with core classes, electives, and work-based learning, your student's day will wind down with the chance to study and learn independently. This time is self-guided and can be spent working on projects or completing individual exercises. It can be easy for teenagers to get distracted during this independent time, but a Learning Coach can help with that. This designated adult helps your student stay on track in their studies. A Learning Coach can range from a parent or guardian to a tutor or other adults. It could even be you. Students may rely on their Learning Coach to understand assignments, utilize the resources available to them, and advocate for their future.
6 PM - Passion Projects
While curriculum is important, teenage students often get a lot more out of school than just what they learn in their studies. In fact, according to Berkeley University, students are more likely to care about school work when they can discover their passions, pursue them, and work hard to bring what they care about into the world. At Destinations, we understand the importance of flexible schedules because we all know the high school experience wouldn't be complete without hobbies, socialization, and friends.
Students have free time to explore and participate in the things they enjoy. Health and Human Services students may want to join a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) called Health Occupations Students of America. This group hosts interactive community projects, knowledgeable guest speakers, and engaging workshops for students to get involved in. Connecting with other healthcare students provides a sense of community and the chance to learn alongside like-minded peers.
Destinations Career Academy can start your student off on the right foot if they desire to help people and make a difference in the world through a career in health and human services. Whether they want to pursue college or jump right into the workforce after high school, Destinations provides the necessary resources and opens doors for their success.
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
