Everett Public Schools students from sixth grade through senior year gained a new tool to map out life after high school when the district switched to SchooLinks in September.
The platform replaced the district's previous Naviance system, according to the district's High School and Beyond Plan page. SchooLinks is the state-selected High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) platform for Washington schools.
The HSBP is a Washington State graduation requirement. Students work with families and school staff to develop their plans starting in middle school and revise them each year as their interests change.
What students can do
SchooLinks brings planning tools together in one place, according to the district's announcement. Students can research career pathways, develop a four-year high school plan, set goals and track progress toward graduation.
The platform also covers post-graduation options: two-year and four-year colleges, apprenticeships, technical training and entering the workforce.
College-bound students can use it to organize the application process, including the Common App.
School staff provide lessons beginning in sixth grade and extending through senior year to help students use the tools and explore post-secondary options based on their interests.
Financial planning and goal-setting
Beyond course planning, SchooLinks lets students build concrete steps toward college and career goals, search for colleges and training programs, and develop financial plans to meet post-secondary goals, according to the district's HSBP page.
Jeanne Willard, executive director of college and career readiness for Everett Public Schools, said the platform helps students explore their interests and envision their futures.
Speaking about middle schoolers using SchooLinks, Willard said students do not need to have everything figured out at that age and that the goal is helping them discover possibilities and understand how their school choices connect to future opportunities.
Family access
Families have their own SchooLinks portal. Parents and guardians can learn about available opportunities and have conversations with their students about future goals, according to the district.
The district said the shift to SchooLinks expands access for families, creating new opportunities to engage in their student's planning process.
Families with questions can visit the district's High School and Beyond Plan page, which includes an FAQ section covering access, training and contact information.
