Bear Lake Middle School demonstrates a strong commitment to Standard 6: College & Career Readiness by engaging learners in structured, monitored, consistent, and sustainable opportunities for college and career exploration. These initiatives build durable skills and prepare students for future opportunities, ensuring alignment with the Idaho College & Career Readiness Competencies.

**Structured Implementation**BLMS’s program-wide structures establish a clear expectation that all learners will frequently engage in college and career readiness activities. The Matrix outlines students’ exposure, exploration, and advising opportunities at each grade level. For instance, 6th-grade students begin their journey with career interest inventories and job shadowing experiences. Students in all grades, 6th through 8th, can take the CTE course Family Consumer Science, which teaches essential life skills and career pathways, including personal finance, cooking, and household management. Eighth-grade students participate in STEM-related field trips and events with local businesses, such as the annual hospital career day hosted by Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, where they connect with healthcare professionals and explore medical careers through hands-on activities. Additionally, BLMS’s Food Industries class allows students to work with cafeteria staff on daily operations like meal prep and ordering, gaining practical experience in food services.

Advanced Opportunities through IDLA (Idaho Digital Learning Academy) are also offered for middle school students who wish to earn high school credits early. This self-directed program is designed for motivated learners who excel at working independently and aim to get a head start on their high school curriculum. This initiative reflects BLMS's dedication to fostering independence and ambition in its students.

BLMS also offers electives and clubs, such as Robotics, Coding, and Art & Design, that align with career readiness goals. These activities help students develop technical and creative skills while fostering teamwork and leadership. Through these programs and partnerships, BLMS inspires students to explore impactful career fields.

Supplemental programs like the Idaho STEM Action Center initiatives enhance these efforts by providing resources for career assessments, STEM pathways, and project-based learning. For example, science classes include lessons on environmental engineering, enabling students to tackle real-world problems like water filtration and disaster response modeling. Advisory periods guide students in post-secondary planning, career opportunities, and skill-building activities like resume writing and communication.

Program leadership ensures instructional staff have access to resources and training to support these objectives. Professional development workshops focus on integrating Idaho College & Career Readiness Competencies into classroom instruction. For example, teachers learn to embed coding and robotics into technology classes, preparing students for careers in computer science and engineering. These efforts connect students to diverse pathways, including trades, industry, higher education, and public service.

**Monitored Implementation**BLMS employs a formal system to track participation in college and career readiness opportunities. A centralized record of events such as STEM weeks, community partnerships, and field trips, allowing leadership to identify gaps and guide improvements can be found in our BLMS Calendar (artifact #1). For example, our STEM Implementation Plan of the school’s STEM-related initiatives highlights robust participation in programs such as STEM Weeks, classroom projects, and partnerships with local organizations, as documented in the School Improvement Plan (SIP).

Regular assessments evaluate students’ college and career competencies. Tools like career aptitude tests, interest inventories, and advising surveys help counselors identify students’ strengths and interests. Based on these assessments, students receive personalized recommendations for opportunities, such as internships, advanced coursework, or mentorships. Partnerships with local organizations enable students to shadow professionals in fields like engineering, healthcare, and education, providing hands-on career insights.

**Consistent and Sustainable Implementation**BLMS ensures access to diverse college and career readiness opportunities through partnerships with local businesses, community colleges, and trade organizations. Collaborations with Bear Lake Memorial Hospital (Medical Minds Career Days) include workshops and tours that offer insights into healthcare careers. Partnerships with engineers and coders allow students to join design challenges, coding competitions, and robotics showcases.

BLMS’s sustainable approach ensures year-to-year consistency and improvement. Feedback from students, parents, and community partners informs strategic planning, leading to measurable progress, such as increased internship placements and higher college acceptance rates. Annual reviews of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) have driven goals like boosting STEM enrollment and diversifying career exposure. This robust system ensures all students are well-prepared for their futures (Artifact #3).