Postsecondary Workforce Readiness
What is Postsecondary Workforce Readiness?
Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) emphasizes a whole-student approach that combines academic achievement in core subjects with essential employability skills, including communication, problem-solving, community engagement, and self-empowerment. The Academy offers a variety of "PWRful" opportunities to help students prepare for success after graduation. These experiences include Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP), Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses that provide college credit, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials, and Work-Based Learning experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, and work-study programs that allow students to earn academic credit while gaining valuable career experience.
The Academy is committed to preparing every student for success beyond graduation as a lifelong learner and engaged citizen. Whether students choose to pursue a four-year university, a trade or technical program, military service, or direct entry into the workforce, our Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) programming equips them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to confidently navigate their chosen path.
Postsecondary Workforce Readiness that is offered at
The Academy
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world workplace environments, allowing students to develop and apply essential employability skills in authentic settings. At The Academy, advanced WBL opportunities include Work Study programs that provide academic credit for employment, internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and industry-sponsored projects. Students also engage in career-focused learning through career counseling, guest speakers from industry, workplace tours, Career Exploration Day, ICAP activities, and project-based learning experiences. Together, these opportunities help students explore career pathways, build professional skills, and prepare for future success. For additional information, please refer to Colorado's Work-Based Learning Continuum.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers students the opportunity to enroll in specialized elective tracks that blend traditional academics with learning opportunities in specific career pathways. Currently, The Academy offers CTE programs in Business, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and Multimedia Arts. Healthcare CTE programs are being developed and it is likely that students will be able to engage in this program in the 2027-28 school year. Unlike traditional vocational schools, modern CTE is designed for all students—whether they plan to go straight into the workforce or attend a four-year university.
Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP) occurs at The Academy for students in grades 6-12, and is a multi-year process that intentionally guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic, and postsecondary opportunities. Through ICAP lessons, students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to build their own meaningful and powerful pathways to Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR). This planning helps students explore and plan for post-high school pathways and provides them with the opportunity to align their school coursework with future academic and career goals. It also helps students make early, informed decisions through meaningful career conversations throughout middle and high school; and encourages motivation, engagement and a sense of purpose. As a State of Colorado graduation requirement, each student must design a Graduation Portfolio that documents their 6th-12th grade process.