Career Pathways & Scheduling

Parents can play a vital role in helping their children stay on track during the high school years. Working together as a team (student, parent and counselors) will result in the academic success of your student. Here are a few guidelines for scheduling:

• Get Involved.
• If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact the appropriate school official, whether it's a teacher, principal, counselor or superintendent.
• Help your child look for balance among academic, extracurricular, work and social activities in his or her schedule.
• Know your child. A college preparatory curriculum isn't for everyone. Many students flourish with a mix of academic courses and training in a vocational area that interests them.
• Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Ask about courses that may move your student onto a new academic path if he or she shows exceptional ability in a certain subject.
• Work cooperatively with teachers and counselors to help your child prepare his or her schedule.

Learn more about KRESA Career Connect CTE, EFE and EMC Programs.

KRESA offers free classes to all Kalamazoo County students through their local high school. Check out programs in career preparation, the arts, and early college credit.
 

Here are some scheduling tips for students and parents:

• Spend time assessing your strengths and interests and write down the goals you plan to pursue after high school.
• Work with your counselor to develop a four-year individual educational development plan based on your academic progress and future career goals.
• Learn the requirements for graduation, and which courses that will best prepare you for college, if you plan to attend one.
• Don't choose classes just because your friends do, but rather, because the classes fit your personal goals.
• Don't blow off your senior year. Instead, maximize its value by taking advanced placement courses if you are heading to college, or vocational training courses in a career field that interests you.

Career Pathways are clusters of related occupations that require different levels of education and training. People working in a career path share similar interests, abilities, and talents. Career paths help students identify a career focus without being locked into a specific occupation. By exploring career paths, students expand future choices and help them develop an understanding of how education and occupations relate. Pathways also provide a clear path for students to follow when scheduling classes now and after graduation. 

The State of Michigan has developed a six-career pathway program that covers 99% of the work force:

• Arts, Communications & Media
• Business, Management, Marketing & Technology
• Engineering/Manufacturing & Industrial Technology
• Health Sciences
• Human Services
• Natural Resources & Agri-Science

Based on these categories, students can select an appropriate curriculum of study. For more information on creating an academic schedule which matches a career pathway, select from one of the file downloads in the Helpful Downloads section of this page.

Looking for free homework help? The teachers and counselors at VHS want everyone to succeed in school! We've assembled a list of web pages where you'll find free homework help in math, science, reading and more. Additionally, our own National Honor Society members provide tutoring services to fellow students in need. Contact your counselor for additional information.

• Hippo Campus

• Career Moasic
• Career College
• My Future
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Peterson's Education Center
• The Princeton Review
• U.S. News Colleges and Career Centers
• Career Net
• Career Web
• Learning Express Library Test Prep and Career Exploration

For more information on Pathways and Vicksburg High School Graduation requirements, we have provided the following documents as PDFs:

• 2022-2023 Curriculum Guide 
• 2021-2022 Curriculum Guide
• Senior Review Presentation 2016
• Student Services Community Resource Guide
• VHS dual enrollment procedures and guidelines
• VHS Schedule Change Policy