College Planning Professionals of Pennsylvania

7TH TO 9TH GRADE

JUNIOR HIGH OPPORTUNITY

What if your child began to explore their passions, interests, and abilities during their junior high and middle school years?

This is what the CAPofPA Junior High Exploration Program is all about!

Our Program fills a deep void that most school settings are not currently capable of filling: How to increase a student’s self esteem and confidence through offering a broader understanding of the world of work, planning ahead, self advocacy, and seeking enrichment opportunities.

While ‘blame’ could be placed on tight budgets, lack of extra staffing, and the COVID virtual school crisis, students between 7th and 9th grade are missing a crucial moment of personal development. Learning how to learn and setting personal goals at this age provides a launching point for future success in the classroom, college, and beyond.

Feeling confident and sure of one’s own strengths and interests are key ingredients to a positive high school experience leading up to college.

REMINDERS

Bring to Your First Appointment

RMost recent report card
RList of clubs, extracurricular activities and/or sports
RHonors/awards, if any
R3 ring binder with note pad and sleeves for portfolio
RAn excitement to discover more about what you love!

Focus by Grade

R7th grade: Focus on student identity, student development, & strengths
R8th grade: Preparation for 9th grade & taking charge of what is ahead
R9th grade: Foundational year for taking initiative & ownership of personal growth & learning
RCAPofPA adjusts to the individual needs of the student

Reminders

rBring your journal/portfolio to ALL of your appointments
rCheck your Trello board for updates
rYou are in charge of your own learning!
rAsk for help when you need it, we are here for you!
rWe are so very excited to working together!

There is no time too early to engage with CAPofPA when your child is progressing through middle school. We seek to enhance all that your child is learning and discovering!

Self Awareness & Affirmation

Through getting to know your student and using identity mapping and personal strengths assessment, a journey of discovery is taken to learn how to set personal goals.

Self Esteem & Confidence

Through engagement with CAPofPA, your middle school child will be empowered to take hold of their own learning journey. Through this process, self esteem and confidence are found!

The Ability to Plan for the Future

As your student reaches new personal goals and gains a broader understanding of how their talents and interests can be applied outside of the classroom, future ideas and plans are validated as in their control.

Junior High Exploration Program Road Map

The following outline is used as a guide, but not intended to be overly rigid. As the interests and abilities grow and flux with your child’s continued development, CAPofPA is invested in the personal success your child will achieve!

Phase #1: Grape

Getting to know you – interview questions
Portfolio/Journal Introduction
Identity Mapping Activity
Personal Strengths Assignment
Review of Junior High School Timeline

Phase #2: Strawberry

Review progress on Personal Strengths Assignment
Introduction to Career Family Tree Assignment

Phase #3: Kiwi

Review results of the interest inventory
O*Net
- Introduction and Explanation
- Review the top three career clusters
- Research different careers based on the clusters