College and Career Readiness
College & Career Counseling
Students must successfully complete a minimum number of course units to be promoted to the next grade level, earning a “C” or higher in a minimum of four “core classes” each year, earning at least 8 credits in courses required for graduation. Each successfully completed semester course earns 1.0 credit. Students who do not successfully earn this minimum number of credits may be retained in their current grade level and reclassified into a different Wave.
Our Philosophy
Fit.
We believe in working with our students and their families to select the post-secondary options that are the best fit for them. We understand that students are more likely to feel more comfortable, be persistent, be successful, and ultimately graduate if they pursue a pathway that makes sense to their life dream.
To this end, we help students identify three forms of “fit”: Financial, Academic and Cultural.
Financial Fit
We encourage students and families to consider the “cost of attendance” for college and whether or not different college choices are fiscally viable and do not rely on the student or family to take on significant debt. Our goal is that students graduate from college with minimal debt.
Academic Fit
We help students consider and assess whether or not a college or university's academic profile might be a good match. We also ensure that we support students if they are interested in non-college options by determining their desires and academic interests beyond the traditional 2-year and 4-year options.
Cultural Fit
We encourage students to gather a variety of data points about colleges and universities to assess whether or not the schools they are considering are a good cultural fit for them through school visits, “fly-in” programs, summer programs, talking to college reps and current and former students, and research online.
Identity
We believe in meaningful engagement through the post-secondary selection process. We push students to grow their identities intentionally, discover their voices, and embrace old and new passions. The college admissions process is structured towards students owning the process while keeping parents informed.
Advocacy
We believe in teaching self-advocacy as essential to success throughout the post-secondary process. Similarly, we advocate actively on behalf of all of our students. We want the college admissions process to mirror some of the processes and challenges they will face once they are on college campuses where they will need to be able to advocate for themselves along with knowing when, where, and how to ask for help.
College and Career Counseling Center
The MWA College and Career Counseling (CCC) office is located in the Upper School, Building 4. All students and families are welcome! At the CCC, students and families can get information about the following:
- College and university admissions
- Academic planning
- Test preparation
- Career exploration
- Alternative post-secondary pathways
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Summer programs
- Internships and community service
- Enrichment opportunities
For individualized assistance, please visit our CCC webpage (under “Schedule”), where you may connect directly with a member of the CCC Department staff who will be able to address your specific inquiry.
Note to College & University Admissions Representatives: MWA welcomes admissions representative visits throughout the school year; if you would like to schedule a visit, please send an email to ccc@mwacademy.org.
College Exposure & Engagement
Every year we create opportunities for students to visit college campuses. We accomplish this through school-sponsored field trips, hosting college representatives on campus, and college-sponsored opportunities like fly-in programs. Most of these opportunities are designed for 12th grade students although we do offer some opportunities for other high school students to participate.
College and Career Week
Every year we host an annual College and Career Week! This week-long event is designed to inspire students and provide them with the tools they need to navigate life after high school. Throughout the week, students will engage in a variety of activities tailored to their future goals, including:
Career Exploration: Students can network with professionals from diverse industries, attend skill-building workshops (like resume writing and professional headshots), and learn about various career pathways.
College Discovery: Representatives from diverse institutions—including UCs, CSUs, private colleges, and community colleges—will be on campus to discuss degree programs and certifications.
Alternative Pathways: We feature dedicated resources for students interested in apprenticeships and the trades.
Financial Literacy: Grade-specific workshops help students master the “dollars and cents” of the future, covering everything from basic budgeting to navigating financial aid and scholarships.
Community Celebration: We wrap up the week with a campus-wide celebration to recognize our students’ hard work and excitement for their future paths.
Whether your student is just starting to dream about their career or is ready to hit “submit” on their college applications, there is something for everyone. Keep an eye out for this year’s specific schedule and raffle opportunities!
