K12 has been a leader in online education for more than 20 years, giving students and families the power of personalized learning plus the benefits of the classroom at home. Our career and college prep program empowers middle and high school students to start preparing for their future* while completing their education requirements. Students gain access to support services like internships, career and college coaching, networking opportunities, and career clubs.

Students in our career and college prep program get the chance to:

Take career-related courses to prepare for in-demand industries

Gain work experience, industry exposure, and a professional network

Learn skills that prepare them for real-world experiences and life after high school

Earn college credits and prepare for certification exams*

Career and college prep is offered at K12-powered tuition-free and tuition-based schools across all 50 states.* Students also have the option to remain in their local school while taking career-focused classes on a part-time, more flexible basis through K12 Private Academy.

PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM 

Your student's journey to career and college readiness will be uniquely their own, but you're not alone in having questions about guiding them toward their goals.

High school students at K12-powered public schools have exclusive access to our Success Coaches. They meet virtually with students to offer advice on creating résumés, networking, interviewing, financial aid, college preparation, internships, and more—all at no cost.

Our success coaches also host live, interactive webinars to better prepare students for their futures with expert insight and advice on college and career prep. These events are open to all high school students.

Students and parents love K12's career and college prep program and its learning experiences.
See what they have to say¹:

93% of parents are satisfied with their student's experience with K12's career and college prep program.

93% of parents are satisfied with the career prep curriculum.

90% of parents feel this program helps their high school students prepare for a career.

90% of parents are satisfied with the program's dual-credit offerings.

78% of graduates believe they are excelling at their current job. See the results of our career readiness survey.

74% of graduates feel optimistic about their career direction. See the results of our career readiness survey.

Whatever your student is thinking about their future, they can start exploring career options with career and college prep 

 High school students can dive deep into a specific career pathway within a career field or even knock out college credits at some schools.* Some schools also offer exploration courses for middle school students where they get broad exposure to a career field.* At any age, students receive instruction that follows a project-based learning model, setting them up to solve real-life problems in a collaborative environment.  

Your career has a major impact on your life, so doesn’t it make sense for school to focus on traditional academics as well as what comes next? Stride Career Prep thinks outside of the box with learning that prepares students for the real-world—whether that be going to college or straight into a career after graduation.

The Stride Career Prep program exposes students to the possibilities for a lifelong career while they’re still in school. Learning the ins and outs of different industries, shadowing professionals, and getting hands-on experience helps them build the skills they’ll use in their adult lives. In addition to the K12-powered schools that offer Stride Career Prep, there is a tuition-based option that lets students stay at their local school and participate in career courses and activities on a part-time, more flexible basis through K12 Private Academy. And the Stride company offers a variety of options for students to continue their learning as a lifelong pursuit in independent courses, career bootcamps, and more.

Watch the video to see how Stride Career Prep students are preparing for careers in business.

FIND A SCHOOL NEAR YOU

The Stride Career Prep approach consists of problem-solving techniques, project-based learning, and different real-world skill set development.* This combination helps students to succeed in their academic classes, as well as learn the technical and professional skills that will help them succeed when they join the workforce.¹

The Skills Students Need to Succeed

Problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, and creativity

Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity

The Student Advisory Council is a select group of K12-powered students from around the country who serve as advisors for their peers and brand ambassadors for K12 and their schools. Through this paid internship opportunity, students provide valuable feedback and insight about their experiences with career readiness education. If you're interested in helping shape the future of our career and college prep program and helping students at your school, accept the challenge and apply to be a member of the Student Advisory Council today!

Overwhelmed or uncertain about college? Whether you're a high school freshman beginning to explore your options or a senior ready to start applying  get the expert advice, tools, and tips you need to make confident decisions about your future.

Many K12-powered schools can help you earn high school and college credits at the same time and get a jump-start on college. This process is usually called dual credit or dual enrollment.

Learn more about earning college credits during high school, then speak with your local school counselor about what's offered in your area.

Scholarships help reduce the cost of attending college and lessen the need for student loans. They are awarded based on grades, clubs and sports activities, and community work—and they help you stand out when applying to colleges.

These interactive, free group sessions cover the most important college prep topics for high schoolers and are open to all students at K12-powered schools.

Scholarships

Financial aid

Applying for college

Job searching 

Get answers to frequent college prep questions in just minutes.

Understanding college costs and financial aid options can be overwhelming. Watch these quick videos to feel more confident about making informed college education decisions.

Our coaches will guide you through finding and selecting a college that's right for you.

Gain valuable tips for crafting compelling scholarship essays, securing strong recommendation letters,
preparing for the SAT or ACT, and other crucial parts of the college admissions process.

Is your teen already seriously considering what they want to be when they grow up? Do they think about the possibilities that lie beyond high school graduation? Our career and college prep program can be the perfect choice to add to their education experience.

The career and college prep program helps prepare students for lifelong careers in various fields and in a variety of ways. As they accomplish the usual school subjects, they have the chance to explore a whole different way of learning. From project-based classes that help them to develop problem-solving skills to unlocking different job shadowing experiences or getting a head start on college credits,* There are options for students with all sorts of goals. Students can choose to be part of the career and college prep program through a K12-powered online school. Alternatively, they can choose a more flexible learning option that allows students to remain at their local school for core academics, take career-focused courses, and participate in clubs and other online activities.

Many of our career and college prep program courses include project-based learning or PBL. PBL helps students develop crucial problem-solving skills they'll take with them into their careers and adulthood.

With project-based learning activities, students are tasked with solving realistic problems similar to those they'll encounter on job sites after high school. And by focusing on collaboration, students get exposure to the teamwork required for success in the workplace.

 Our career and college prep program, offered at select K12-powered online public and private schools, teaches students what they need for a bright future. In addition to core academic courses required for graduation, career-focused classes allow high school students to explore different career fields and gain skills that can help them succeed in college and the workplace. Whether they are already working in their chosen career field, intend to pursue higher education, or plan to start their careers immediately following graduation, students taking classes in our career and college prep program can combine their passions and interests with the skills they'll need to compete for jobs in high-demand fields.

Some students already know what they want to do after high school, and taking career prep courses can give them a head start. Others may not know what they want to do. Our career and college prep program allows them to explore different occupations and career fields to figure out their interests. Others may simply enjoy taking courses that they find relevant to their everyday lives. The program also helps students master professional skills such as teamwork, project management, and leadership, which are all needed to succeed in college or the workplace.

A career field is a broad term for an industry classification. Two popular career fields, for example, are Information Technology (IT) and Manufacturing. We divide our career fields into more specific career pathways as part of our curriculum. These pathways are specializations within a broader career field. For example, Pharmacy Technician is a pathway within the Health Sciences career field.

K12 as a whole provides options for home-based education, but they're not all the same as traditional homeschooling. Traditional homeschooling means parents choose the curriculum and are responsible for instructing their children. While K12 offers purchasing options for homeschooling curriculums, they also offer full-time education options like K12-powered tuition-free public schools with a set curriculum and state-certified teachers, just like traditional public schools.

Some of these schools offer the career and college prep program. K12 Private Academy also offers a tuition-based option for career-focused classes, including both a full-time and part-time option. The part-time option offers more flexibility for students who want to stay at their local school while adding career courses and other activities to their existing schedule.

Depending on your needs and location, the cost of attendance can vary. K12-powered online public schools offering the career and college prep program are available tuition-free in many states. K12 also powers a selection of private school options, each with its own fee structure.

K12 Private Academy offers a part-time, more flexible option where students can stay at their local school and add in career-focused courses and activities. There are also supplementary and independent homeschool classes available for direct purchase. Check schools in your area to find out where the career and college prep program is offered.

Students can stay at their local school and add career-focused classes to their existing schedules through K12 Private Academy's part-time option. This tuition-based opportunity lets students take career electives, prepare for industry certification exams, and access support services such as internships, networking opportunities, and career clubs, all while completing their local curriculum. Please note there is a fee associated with this flexible career and college prep program option.

Yes! We understand that as students explore different careers and options through our program, they sometimes choose to change their pathway to fit their evolving career goals. The career and college prep program helps them explore different occupations and find the career pathway that interests them the most.

The career and college prep program is not required for graduation. Some courses may fulfill elective requirements and, therefore, count toward graduation requirements. Check with your school counselor for specific details.

Yes, students graduating from a K12-powered school will receive a high school diploma.

Our career and college prep program prepares students to take one or more industry-recognized certification exams, depending on the selected career pathway and how many courses they successfully complete.†

An industry-recognized certification is a way your student can demonstrate to college admissions officers and employers that they have the skills and technical expertise to be successful in a particular field. Most certifications require students to take an exam to show they're knowledgeable in the content learned throughout their course of study. Exam requirements may include a hands-on component. Test preparation is a part of the career and college prep program, which supports students in their efforts to obtain the hands-on/practicum they'll need to be prepared for the certification exam.

Certifications or credentials are issued by various certifying bodies, including Adobe®, Microsoft®, NOCTI®, and ACTE®.†

Most certifications require students to take an exam that may include a hands-on component to show they're knowledgeable in the content learned throughout their course of study. The career and college prep program includes test preparation for pathway-specific certification exams.

Most career pathways consist of four to six specialized courses followed by some work-based experience. Typically, students need to be in a pathway for two years to complete these specialized courses in addition to core subjects. However, certain certifications, such as Adobe® Photoshop or Microsoft® Excel, can be obtained after completing a single course.†

Exam fees vary and may be paid for by the school. Check with your counselor for details.

Students do not need an internship to graduate. A hands-on component, however, may be required to complete certification requirements and prepare for certification exams.†

Students have live, online, teacher-led sessions called Class Connects regularly each week. The number of Class Connects a student must attend depends on the course and the progress they’re making in the curriculum.

Students can contact their teachers during Class Connects or at any time by email. Teachers may also offer additional ways to communicate. Students should check with their teachers for their preferred methods of communication.

A typical school day will vary depending on the student’s grade, course load, and chosen career pathway. In general, students can expect a mix of individual coursework, teacher-led instruction, assessments, and project collaboration with other students. This learning environment prepares students for the modern workforce. Visit A Day in the Life to see how K12-powered students spend their days.

The number of courses will vary depending on the pathway. For details on a particular pathway course sequence, students should speak with their school counselor.*

A CTSO is a career club where students with similar career interests connect, collaborate, and even compete against other schools. Participation in these student-led organizations can help students build teamwork, communication and leadership skills, citizenship, and volunteerism.

Offerings vary by school but include one or more of the following clubs: DECA (an association of marketing students), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), HOSA (future health professionals), and SkillsUSA.*

Career education prepares students for a career after school. K12's approach to career education expands on traditional vocational education curriculums by combing core academics with career-focused classes. Our career and college prep program includes in-demand fields such as business, information technology (IT), and health sciences.

Professional skills are also called transferable skills, interpersonal skills, soft skills, or social skills. These are skills employers look for when hiring. These include teamwork, collaboration, presentation and communication skills, problem solving, creative thinking, and leadership. They may also include nearly any ability that pertains to how someone approaches others or handles their professional life.

Preparing for a future career is a personal journey toward each student's unique destination. Our approach to career education allows students to get a jump-start by exploring interests as early as middle school. Through career-oriented courses, students can discover their interests and develop skills for a specific career pathway or specialization, helping them graduate ready to enter college, a career, or both.

Any time is a good time to start exploring passions and discovering paths to careers. Students can start career-specific electives as early as middle school.* At the high school level, students in our career and college prep program can choose a career pathway or keep discovering! Students can also dive deep into their chosen career field through job shadowing, live online sessions with industry professionals, and career-oriented camps in areas like coding and STEM.*

Career encouragement can start at any time. Pay attention to your child's interests and natural skills to get an idea of career options they might want to explore. Providing them opportunities to explore those interests or career paths will help guide your student early in their educational journey. Our career and college prep program offers a wide range of career pathways your child can explore.

Exploring career pathways in middle school* can provide students with the ability to better map out their education journey and make the most of their time. Early career planning allows you and your student to learn more about their skills and interests to maximize and understand their education and career opportunities so they can graduate high school a few steps closer to their career goals. The career and college prep program is not available in all middle schools.

Students in our career and college prep program are prepared for their careers through real-world experience and industry insight. By focusing on career prep education in high school, your student can graduate one step closer to their first career and develop real-world skills for their life after high school.

Many high school students have reported that they found some interest in or direction for their career path while in school. Sometimes those ideas may change. That's why it's important to identify interests, strengths, passions, and future goals to help students map out a career plan. The career and college prep program offers career exploration opportunities to help students discover and prepare for their future career before it begins.

Ready to get a jump-start on your career plans or college admissions? Set yourself up for success and develop skills for life after graduation. Whether you're looking to hone interview skills, plan for college, craft a compelling résumé, or build future plans, career coaches can equip you with the knowledge and confidence to get ahead. High school students at K12-powered public schools can access this professional, experienced guidance all at no extra cost.

Working with one of our coaches is free and flexible. Enrolled high school students at K12-powered public schools can meet with one of our professional coaches for up to five individual sessions.* They can also join as many topical group sessions as they wish. We ask that, once you sign up, you commit to attending your meetings so you can fully benefit from the program.

Create a stronger résumé for career and college

Find internships and jobs more easily

Interview with greater confidence

Improve your college application

*Based on responses collected during our post-coaching session survey

Learn more coaching results and hear what students are saying about their coaching experience!

READ MORE

Our qualified coaches are ready to support students around the country. Learn more about them below and find the coach who supports students at your K12-powered school.

To sign up with your school-assigned coach, use the link to their calendar below. Having a Tallo profile is encouraged, but not required. Your career coach can help you create a profile.