AHSD25

Overview

In District 25, we believe it’s never too early for students to start thinking about their future. Through our District 25 Ready: Postsecondary and Career Education (PaCE) framework, middle school students begin to explore a wide range of careers while learning about their strengths, interests, and goals.

Starting in sixth grade, students are exposed to various career options and are supported in building self-awareness and a growth mindset. As they progress through middle school, they engage in self-reflection, explore their personal interests, and start to envision positive futures. By the end of eighth grade, students have opportunities to connect their interests to potential high school courses and career clusters.

Through this middle-school exploration, District 25 establishes a strong foundation for students as they continue their career and technical education journey in high school and beyond.

D25 Framework

At the middle school level, the Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework supports students in exploring postsecondary options that align with their developmental stage. The goal is to help all students view college and career pathways as attainable and realistic. Programs often unintentionally focus on students already on a clear academic or career path. The middle school component of the PaCE Framework is designed to lay the foundation for all students, equipping them to engage more deeply with postsecondary planning and decision-making as they move into high school. This foundation is grounded in three key domains: Aspiration, Self-Advocacy, and Planning. District 25 has adopted its own PaCE Framework to highlight our middle school students' key learning and experiences.