College & Career Readiness

Preparing Southeast Polk Students for College & Careers

Southeast Polk provides students with opportunities for career exploration, work-based learning, and postsecondary pathways. Through hands-on experiences and personalized guidance, students confidently pursue their future—whether that means higher education, technical training, or direct career entry.

If you have any questions or suggestions about our College & Career Readiness program, please contact the district’s College and Career Readiness Coordinator, Darell Butcher at darell.butcher@southeastpolk.org.

CCR Curriculum

K-5 College & Career Readiness Curriculum is centered around the following ASCA Domain, Standard, & Competency.

Kindergarten

  • C:A1.2 learn about the variety of traditional and nontraditional occupations
  • C:A1.3 develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations

1st Grade

  • C:A1.2 learn about the variety of traditional and nontraditional occupations
  • C:A1.3 develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations

2nd Grade

  • C:C1.3 identify personal preferences and interests which influence career choice and success

3rd Grade

  • C:A2.8 understand the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, integrity, and effort in the workplace
  • C:B1.4 know the various ways in which occupations can be classified

4th Grade

  • C:B1.4 know the various ways in which occupations can be classified
  • C:B2.1 demonstrate awareness of the education and training needed to achieve career goals
  • C:A1.4 learn how to interact and work cooperatively in teams

5th Grade

  • C:A2.8 understand the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, integrity, and effort in the workplace
  • C:A1.4 learn how to interact and work cooperatively in teams
  • C:C1.1 understand the relationship between educational achievement and career success

6-12 Grade Students

6-12 Grade Students utilize a career software program called Xello. Using Xello students experience:

  • Build Self-knowledge – Define their interests, skills, preferences, and aspirations so they can explore the opportunities right for them.
  • Explore Options – Learn about career possibilities and educational pathways by exploring rich, engaging content and lessons.
  • Create a Plan – Your child can create dynamic actionable plans that outline the steps needed to achieve school, career, and life goals.
  • Learn & Reassess – Interactive lessons help your child develop age appropriate skills and knowledge for success in school and beyond.
  • Parent Involvement – You’re encouraged to explore Xello with your child by logging in together. Your child can log in to his or her account via desktop or mobile device to share what they’ve learned about themselves, the world of work, and their future options.

In addition to Xello, 6-12 students are taught lessons from Excellence With Integrity. These topics include many of the 21st century learning and employability skills students need in order to enter the workforce.

  • Positive and Productive Relationships
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Managing Priorities and Time
  • Overcoming Obstacles and Managing Stress
  • The Habits for Excellence
  • Goal Achievement
  • Integrity in Action
  • Problem Solving Through Creativity and Innovation
  • Leadership and Service to Others
  • Purposeful, Balanced, and Healthy Life

Post Secondary Options

Registered Apprenticeships

Programs

DIESEL MECHANIC- Southeast Polk High School has partnered with Trivista Companies, BrownLease, and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at their school, as well as online Trivista courses, to gain job related education. Students will be employed part time by Trivista or BrownLease.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Auto I
    • Auto II
    • Complete SP2 training
    • Navistar – LMS (With Business Partner)
    • Cummins – LMS (With Business Partner)

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 3 Year Program
  • Students can begin Junior year
  • 379.5 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $20/hour year 1 of Program
  • $22/hour year 2 of Program
  • $24/hour year 3 of Program
  • No Cost to the student

NUMERICAL CONTROL MACHINE OPERATOR – Southeast Polk High School has partnered with Dee Zee and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Numerical Control Machine Operator Program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at Southeast Polk and gain on the job experience. Students will be employed part time by the Dee Zee and will need to have room in their schedule for study hall release.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Geometry
    • Drafting I
    • Advanced Metalworking Processes

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 2 Year Program
  • Students can begin Junior year
  • 337.5 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $17/hour year 1 of Program
  • $18/hour year 2 of Program
  • No Cost to the student

WELDER, COMBINATION – Southeast Polk High School has partnered with John Deere and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Welder, Combination Apprenticeship Program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at Southeast Polk and gain on the job experience. Students will be employed part time by the John Deere and will need to have room in their schedule for study hall release.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Geometry
    • CAD Drafting I
    • Welding Processes
    • Advanced Welding Processes

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 2 Year Program
  • Students can begin Senior year
  • 337.5 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $23.69/hour at completion of the 1 year program
  • No Cost to the student

MEDICAL SECRETARY – Southeast Polk High School has partnered with Mercy and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Medical Secretary Apprenticeship Program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at Southeast Polk and gain on the job experience. Students will be employed part time by Mercy and will need to have room in their schedule for study hall
release.

Completion of this apprenticeship leads to students being eligible for Mercy’s Medical Assistant Program paid for by Mercy. Students can also enter into one of the following career paths:

  • Referral Specialist
  • Patient Access Representative
  • Billing Specialist

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Medical Terminology
    • Advanced Business Computer Applications
    • Basic Life Support (At Mercy)
    • Mandatory Reporter Training – Adult & Child (At Mercy)

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 1 Year Program
  • Students can begin Junior year
  • 145 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $15/hour year 1 of Program
  • No Cost to the student

VETERINARY & LABORATORY ANIMAL TECHNICIAN – Southeast Polk High School has partnered with Altoona Veterinary Hospital and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Vet Tech Apprenticeship Program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at Southeast Polk and gain on the job experience. Students will be employed part time by the Altoona Veterinary Hospital and will need to have room in their schedule for study hall release.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Animal Science
    • Advanced Animal Science
    • 10 hours of volunteer experience at the Animal Learning Center.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 1 Year Program
  • Students can begin Junior year
  • 145 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $15/hour year 1 of Program
  • No Cost to the student

AUTO TECHNICIAN – Southeast Polk High School has partnered with Smith Automotive and the United States Department Of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to sponsor our registered Automotive Tech program. Students in this program will earn while they learn. Apprentices will take courses at Southeast Polk and gain on the job experience. Students will be employed part time by Smith Automotive and will need to have room in their schedule for study hall release.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner
  • Students must have taken or enrolled in the following SEP courses:
    • Auto I
    • Auto II

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • 1 Year Program
  • Students can begin Junior year
  • 145 Hours of Curriculum Work
  • $17/hour year 1 of Program
  • No Cost to the student

Registered Apprenticeship Program Requirements

  • Student must be 16 years of age or older
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Student must have their own transportation
  • Must be a registered Southeast Polk high school student
  • GPA and attendance will be considered
  • Student must be hired by our business partner

Join to Apply

  1. Fill out the application (These positions are competitive so please be thorough with your application)
  2. You will be notified that your application was received. Please note: We can only place students when business partners have openings .
  3. You will be notified when a business has an opening and is accepting interviews. Based upon your application our business partners decide who they want to interview.
  4. Our business partner will select who they would like to hire as an apprentice. If hired you will need to complete the following forms.
    1. Permission Form
    2. RAPIDS Form
  5. We will support you throughout the completion of your apprenticeship . Upon completing the program, you will receive your certificate of completion from the US Department of Labor.

Staff Contacts

Profile Picture

Name: Darell Butcher

First Name: Darell

Last Name: Butcher

Title: College/Career Coord

Phone: (515) 967-4294

Email: darell.butcher@southeastpolk.org

Building: TLRC

Resources