Academic Planning - Wakefield

What is an Academic Plan?
APS requires that every student in grades 6-12 have an academic plan which charts the sequence of courses that each student will take throughout middle and high school. The plan will reflect high expectations, be based on the talents, interests and challenges of each student. We are aware that students’ goals for careers and higher education change, sometimes dramatically, as they progress through middle and high school and learn about new opportunities. Each year the student and school counselor will review the academic plan and make revisions as needed.

The purpose of the academic plan is to create an individualized personal plan that links the student’s career interests to course selection. The academic plan outlines classes that meet graduation requirements as well as identifying post-graduation goals. During the academic planning process, each student has the opportunity to meet with the school counselor to discuss her/his educational and career goals. Students have an opportunity to engage in career exploration that helps them learn more about how their interests match with a career field before they meet with the school counselor. This information helps the student and the school counselor in determining the best course selection for meeting the graduation requirements as well as developing a plan for life after graduation. Parents and families are strongly encouraged to be a part of the meeting to learn more about their student’s career interests, the various academic options for earning a diploma, the difference between diploma types as well as the most appropriate challenging course selection. College and career information is also provided during the meeting.

Academic Advising and Primary Schedule Development

Primary Schedule 2024-2025 Big Picture Timeline

Mar 4-5	Course selection tallies finalized.
Mar 6-8	Course selection numbers reviewed by department chairs and administrators.
Mar 20	Drafts of department schedules due.
Mar 21-22	Admin review & discussion of department drafts.
Apr – May	Master schedule build with weekly admin reviews & adjustments.
June	Share draft schedules with teachers prior to last day of school.
June-Aug	Summer work & finalizing 2024-2025 Primary Schedule.
July/Aug	Summer work – Sped & EL teams review student schedules.

Academic Advising & Course Selection for 2024-2025

Jan 3-5	Program of Studies Update (Department Chairs & Counselors)
Jan 9 & 11	SpEd & Counseling Collaborative for IEP Services & Course Selection Alignment.
In Progress	EL & Counseling Collaborative for DOJ/WIDA Level & Course Selection Alignment.
Jan 18	School-Wide Warriors Period Video Presentation (Posted on Canvas for 24/7 review).
Jan 18	Elective Fair (All Lunches in Town Hall)
Jan 24	Academic Advising & Course Selection for Families (6 p.m. / In-Person with Q/A).
Feb 7	High School Information Night for Rising 9th Graders & Families (6:00 p.m.)
Jan 16 – Feb 29	“The Process” Academic Advising & Course Selection – 1:1 Meetings · Grade 11, 10 & 9 will meet 1:1 with counselors (in that order) to select classes· Students will have a pass to go to their counselor.
Mar 4-6	Course Selection Tallies Pulled and Prepared to Share with administration and chairs.
June 24 – 28	EL Schedule Audit (after ACCESS scores).