Beginning with an End in Mind: DK-12th Career and College Systemic Plan

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are thrilled to begin another exciting chapter with you as we deepen our commitment to ensuring every Harper Creek student—from developmental kindergarten through 12th grade—graduates not only with a diploma but with purpose, direction, and a plan for success.

At Harper Creek Community Schools, we believe the path to post-secondary success begins long before graduation day. That’s why we intentionally plan backwards—designing learning experiences and systems of support that grow with our students as they move through each grade level. One of our district’s core school improvement goals is to ensure that all students leave our schools fully prepared for whatever comes next—college, skilled trades, military service, or a career. This work is grounded in what we call our Portrait of a Graduate—a shared vision of the global competencies we want every student to demonstrate: critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, empathy, and lifelong learning. (Our portrait of a graduate is aligned with the Michigan Department of Education's Portrait - see both graphics embedded in this article.)

Career and College Readiness Starts Early

Career and college readiness is not a moment—it’s a movement. Starting in the earliest grades, students are encouraged to explore their unique strengths, interests, and aspirations. Guided by the Michigan Department of Education’s College and Career Planning framework, our curriculum provides hands-on, engaging opportunities that help students imagine and plan for their futures.

Along the way, students build critical social-emotional competencies—self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and goal setting—based on the CASEL framework. These life-ready skills are woven into academic lessons, projects, and collaborative learning environments across all classrooms and grade levels.

Xello: Empowering Student Growth Every Step of the Way

We are proud to provide all Harper Creek students in grades K–12 access to Xello, an award-winning, research-backed college and career readiness platform that supports self-discovery, academic planning, and post-secondary exploration. Visit the Xello site for more information.   

Xello helps students explore who they are, what they love, and how they can shape a meaningful future. Here’s how students engage with Xello at every level:

In Elementary School:

• Students begin exploring careers and community roles through colorful, age-appropriate lessons.
  
  

• They identify interests and strengths, building a sense of identity and excitement about their potential.
  
  

• These early experiences build confidence, curiosity, and purpose.
  
  

In Middle School:

• Students take interactive assessments that highlight career clusters aligned to their unique interests and learning styles.
  
  

• In 7th grade, they create their first Education Development Plan (EDP)—a powerful tool that grows with them through high school.
  
  

• Xello encourages them to connect school to real-world goals, giving them early ownership of their futures.
  
  

In High School:

• Students dive deeper into career pathways, college options, skilled trades, and military service.
  
  

• They create digital portfolios with reflections, resumes, saved plans, and evidence of their readiness.
  
  

• With features like goal tracking, course planning, financial aid exploration, and scholarship tools, Xello becomes a launchpad for their next chapter.
  
  

• It helps make abstract dreams tangible—and helps students take the steps to get there.

Xello is more than a platform—it’s a personalized journey for each student. It ensures that post-secondary planning isn’t overwhelming—it’s empowering.

Education Development Plans: Guiding the Journey

Beginning in 7th grade, students create and annually update an Education Development Plan (EDP) using Xello. This student-led plan includes:

• Identified career interests and personal strengths

• Academic and extracurricular goals
  
  

• Plans for courses, certifications, and future experiences
  
  

• Action steps toward post-secondary goals

EDPs help students make intentional decisions about high school coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, and college or career pathways. They are dynamic, living documents that reflect growth, exploration, and direction.

Your Role as a Family Partner

Families are an essential part of this journey. Your encouragement and involvement make a difference—every step of the way.

Here’s how you can support your child:

• Log in to Xello together—review their EDP- Educational Development Plans, saved careers, and post-secondary interests. 
  
  

• Ask about their goals—what excites them, what challenges them, and what support they need.
  
  

• Attend school events focused on college and career readiness to learn more about how to support your child at home.
  
  

• Share your own career path and connect them to family and friends in different industries—this helps students see the many ways success can look.
  
  

• Celebrate their growth and shifts in interest—exploration is part of the process!

Our Shared Commitment

We believe in the incredible potential of every Harper Creek student. We are passionate about equipping them with the tools, skills, and mindset to thrive—not only in school, but in life. Together—with educators, families, and community partners—we will inspire our students to dream big, work hard, and boldly pursue their futures.

Thank you for your partnership in this meaningful and essential work. Let’s make this year one of growth, discovery, and momentum for every child. 

Harper Creek Portrait of a Graduate

Character

• Proactive stance toward life and learning to learn
• Grit, tenacity, perseverance, and resilience
• Empathy, compassion, and integrity in action

Citizenship

• A global perspective
• Commitment to human equity and well-being through empathy and compassion for diverse beliefs and world views
• Genuine interest in human and environmental sustainability
• Solving ambiguous and complex problems in the real world to benefit citizens

Collaboration

• Working interdependently as a team
• Interpersonal and team-related skills
• Social, emotional, and intercultural skills
• Managing team dynamics and challenges

Communitation

• Communication designed for audience and impact
• Message advocates a purpose and makes an impact
• Reflection to further develop and improve communication
• Voice and identity expressed to advance humanity

Creativity

• Economic and social entrepreneurship
• Asking the right inquiry questions
• pursuing and expressing novel ideas and solutions
• Leadership to turn ideas into action

Critical Thinking

• Evaluating information and arguments
• Making connections and identifying patterns
• Meaningful knowledge construction
• Experimenting, reflecting, and taking action on ideas in the real world.

Here’s to an amazing 2025–2026 school year!