College & Career Readiness

Tcalc

The Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC) is all about students solving realworld problems with real tools, used by real professionals, being mentored by real employers, leading to real contributions in the professional area. TCALC is an innovative high school program created through business partnerships. This program provides students with the opportunities to deeply explore professions of high interest through profession-based, inquiry-based, and projectbased curriculum as a junior and/or senior. Students are provided authentic exposure and skill acquisition in high-demand, high-skill 21st century professions.

Requirements Pathways

TCALC offers pathways in the following areas:

• Animal Science

• Baking & Pastry Arts Management

• Building & Construction Trades Technology

• Engineering and Applied Math

• Law & Public Safety

• Medical Professions

• Sports Medicine

• Teaching as a Profession

• Web & Digital Communications

1. Attained sophomore, junior, or senior status and on track for graduation.

2. Desire to work in a profession-based, real world environment with other TPS high school students.

3. Willing to comply with business ethics and dress codes as determined by the career pathway.

4. Willing to spend 2.5 hours a day away from their home school (morning or afternoon).

Transportation

1. The district provides busing to and from the high schools to TCALC. This must be arranged in advance. Additionally, students will need to consider the travel time necessary for catching the bus at their home school. Travel time cannot be determined until mid-August.

2. Topeka Metro bus passes are provided free of charge to all TPS high school students. The “West 6th Route” is the route that has two bus stops in very close proximity to TCALC.

3. Students may drive their personal vehicles to and from TCALC.

4. If a pathway requires off-site Professional Learning Experiences (PLEs), the student is responsible for providing their own transportation.

College Prep Academy

The Topeka Public Schools College Prep Academy, which offers accelerated courses in Math and English Language Arts, is housed at TCALC. Scholars in grades 7-11 are bused from their home school to TCALC for courses for a portion of the school day. Through accelerated coursework and real-world learning, students strengthen their academic skills in preparation for collegiate success. College Prep students develop critical professional skills, such as time management and teamwork by visiting colleges, interning at businesses, and volunteering in the community. College Prep scholars graduate prepared to succeed in the college and career options of their choice.

College Visits/College Fair

Topeka Public School hosts a College & Career Fair for students across Shawnee County each October. More than 100 college/university and career professionals are available to answer students’ questions about college requirements and career paths. High school students and families are encouraged to attend. In addition to hosting a college fair, Topeka Public Schools works alongside community partners, including Gear Up and TRIO, to ensure all students participate in multiple college visits.

Avid

Topeka Public Schools has supported the implementation of AVID in five of our schoolssome for more than a decade. The AVID program provides staff with training in the use of effective instructional strategies, along with ways to increase awareness of, and promote college and careers to students at each of the AVID sites. Students enrolled in our AVID schools are exposed to instructional strategies that help them become better readers, writers, and deeper thinkers. AVID students apply and interview to be part of the AVID Elective class. The AVID Elective is taught by specially trained teachers who provide students with additional opportunities to learn organization and study techniques, and is a place where they truly develop into an AVID “Family”.

TPS AVID Sites

• Chase Middle School

• Eisenhower Middle School

• Robinson Middle School

• Highland Park High School

• Topeka High School

A Focus on WICOR

• Writing

• Inquiry

• Collaboration

• Organization

• Reading