North Clackamas
School District
College & Career Readiness - Middle School
Middle School
6th Grade
Welcome to Middle School!
As students move closer to high school, choices expand, including class selections and extracurricular activities. These experiences provide you and your family with valuable information regarding the activities you enjoy, leading eventually to conversations that apply this information to college and career exploration and planning.
The secondary program staff (middle school and high school teams) will be with you and your family throughout your 6-12 journey of learning and discovery. Hearing other people’s stories of their experiences gives us ideas and insights into what might be the best steps for us.
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Who are the co-pilots of your life? Use this diagram to think through who is here to help you along your journey.
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AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an NCSD adopted college and career readiness system that supports students on their academic journey through middle school and high school. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact your counselor.
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Prepare for college in middle school? You bet! Middle School College Prep Checklist - Oregon Goes to College shares a checklist of what to do to prepare for college starting in middle school. (PDFs in English & Spanish)
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Wondering about different careers and how many jobs there will be in the future? Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore every type of job you can think of!
- Take a quick quiz to see what type of learner you are, or what you can do to become a stronger student.
7th Grade
Welcome to 7th Grade!
Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality. - Malala Yousafzai
It’s your middle year of middle school and hopefully, you are feeling more confident and comfortable navigating multiple teachers, multiple subjects, and finding time for fun! Taking good care of yourself and seeking support when you need it will help you thrive when the pressure feels like too much. You got this and your teachers, counselors, and administrators are here for you every step of the way.
- Self assessment: Use this document as a guide to reflect upon your academic readiness skills. Worried about some areas? That’s ok! Your counselor and teachers are ready to help you make a plan. Reach out to them.
- Beginning in the 7th Grade, you will be introduced to Naviance (Via Classlink) - An NCSD adopted platform that allows you to uncover your strengths and skills, explore college and career pathways, and set personal, academic, and future goals. You will engage with this tool multiple times a year in meaningful lessons beginning in grade 7 and through grade 12.
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an NCSD adopted college and career readiness system that supports students on their academic journey through middle school and high school. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact your counselor.
- Prepare for college in middle school? You bet! Middle School College Prep Checklist - Oregon Goes to College shares a checklist of what to do to prepare for college starting in middle school. (PDFs in English & Spanish)
- Wondering about different careers and how many jobs there will be in the future? Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore every type of job you can think of!
- Take a quick quiz to see what type of learner you are, or what you can do to become a stronger student…
- Here is a guide for Middle School Students to start thinking about college!
8th Grade
Welcome to 8th Grade!
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. - E.E. Cummings
It’s your final year of middle school! You’ve navigated some of the more challenging years in your academic career so far, and are now preparing yourself for the transition to high school. As you forecast for your 9th grade classes, consider the interest surveys you’ve taken and the career pathways that align with you - explore opportunities at Sabin-Schellenberg and the programs at your high school that will help you stay true to your unique path.
College and Career and Self-Discovery
- During 8th grade, you will continue to engage with Naviance (Via Classlink). Your teacher and counselors will guide you through meaningful activities and interest surveys that will reveal your strengths and skills and align you with college and career pathways. You will be able to set personal, academic, and future goals in Naviance and monitor your progress and celebrate your successes from 7th grade through your 12th-grade year. You are also encouraged to explore its features on your own!
Transition to High School Tips
- Get involved! Volunteer. Join clubs, affinity groups, and extracurricular activities. Serving, networking, and exploring your interests will help you grow as a person and will brighten the lives of others!
- Be prepared for more academic rigor in high school. Stay organized to prioritize homework and extracurricular activities, but also schedule time for fun!
- Write down upcoming homework and projects in a planner or notebook to stay on top of due dates and deadlines. Get in the habit of checking it frequently!
- Make a friend in each class so you have someone to share notes with if you’re absent from class.
- Your teachers and counselors are there to support you. Ask for help or guidance from adults you trust.
- If you fall behind in a class, check with your teacher for ways to get additional help.
- Take accelerated courses in subjects you are good at - check with your high school for IB or AP college program offerings.
- Complete 6 or more credits by the end of 9th grade with Cs or better.
- Double-check your transcript at the end of each semester.
- Take a World Language - see your school's offerings.
- Take a Career Technical Education Course at Sabin-Schellenberg. Try something new or explore something you’re interested in learning more about.
- Choose friends and activities that feel supportive and uplifting. Listen to your heart, and follow it.
High School Forecasting
FORECASTING for classes is choosing the classes you will take next year, and takes place in the winter term (so you are planning 6+ months ahead of time). Students do this by looking carefully at the Course Guide.
The Course Guide is a tool to help you organize and plan for college and other career goals you may have. When forecasting for your classes, you will want to plan thoughtfully to find the classes that best fit your interests and goals.
The course guide is often called a “forecasting” or “curriculum” guide and usually lives in the “student resources” area under the “Counseling” page of the school website.
Your high school websites provide information about the programs, courses, and services they provide.
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an NCSD adopted college and career readiness system that supports students on their academic journey through middle school and high school. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact your counselor.
- Interested in Career Technical Education? NCSD’s very own professional technical center Sabin-Schellenberg offers instruction in 18 career programs including Technology, Health Services, Business & Management, Engineering, Education, Architecture and Design, Agriculture, Culinary Arts, Automotive, Fire Services, and so much more. See the SSC Course Catalog for a complete list of programs.
- This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and earn college and high school credit at the same time! Follow on Facebook.
- Middle School College Prep Checklist - Oregon Goes to College- learn what to do to prepare for college starting in middle school. (PDFs in English & Spanish)
It’s not too early to learn about College Admission Requirements
- Understanding college admission requirements early can help students set appropriate goals and plans.
- Visit your school’s college and career center and speak to your counselor to learn more about how to map your path to post-secondary choices.
- Classes to take to prepare for college
- College and Degree Types
- Beging your graduation planning now! Student Four Year Planning Worksheet