LifeREADY

Career Education and Planning

The Framework

Our LifeReady program stands out from traditional guidance approaches by actively involving students in preparing for their lives after graduation. Our dedicated Guidance Coaches go above and beyond to provide comprehensive support, incorporating essential skills and fostering life awareness. One key aspect of the program is integrating post-secondary career planning into the LifeReady courses that ultimately lead to the InnovOak School Honours Graduation Diploma (IHSGD). 

Aligned with the Ontario Ministry of Education's Creating Pathways to Success, our education and career/life planning program has clear goals in mind: 

  • Empowering students to make informed education and career/life choices by developing the necessary knowledge and skills. This is achieved through the effective application of a four-step inquiry process, ensuring students have the tools they need to navigate their post-graduation paths successfully. 

  • Providing opportunities for learning and exploration both inside and outside the classroom. Our LifeReady program goes beyond theoretical instruction by offering practical experiences and exposure to real-world scenarios. We believe in actively engaging students in activities that promote self-discovery and develop their career-related competencies. 

  • Involving parents and the wider community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of our program. Collaboration between the school, families, and community stakeholders is crucial in supporting students throughout their learning journey. By fostering strong partnerships, we create a network of support that enhances student success. 

By integrating comprehensive career development within our LifeReady program, we ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to make informed decisions about their education, career, and life goals. We are committed to empowering our students for success, both during their time with us and beyond.

Individual Pathways Plan

We develop an individual pathway plan (IPP) for each student in grades 7-12. The creation of the IPP is a collaborative effort involving the student, their parents/guardians, and a teacher advisor. It is a mandatory requirement for all students, and they are responsible for establishing and maintaining their IPP throughout Senior School. 

The primary purpose of the IPP is to support students in the four-step inquiry process, guiding them towards their future aspirations. We believe that every student should have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive career/life-planning program that aligns with their interests and goals. The four key aspects of the inquiry process within the IPP are as follows:

  • Knowing Yourself: This stage involves self-reflection and understanding one's strengths, interests, values, and aspirations. Students are encouraged to explore their personal attributes and identify their unique qualities that will shape their future choices. 

  • Exploring Opportunities: Students are exposed to a range of opportunities to explore potential career paths, post-secondary education options, and personal growth experiences. They are supported in researching various industries, professions, and educational programs to broaden their understanding of the possibilities available to them. 

  • Making Decisions and Setting Goals: In this stage, students are guided in making informed decisions and setting meaningful goals based on their self-knowledge and exploration. They learn to evaluate options, weigh pros and cons, and develop a clear vision of their desired pathway. 

  • Achieving Goals and Making Transitions: The final stage focuses on helping students take action to achieve their goals and successfully transition into their chosen pathways. The IPP includes extracurricular activities, cooperative education programs, and work experience opportunities that the student plans to engage in. Regular reviews of the IPP, at least twice a year, ensure that progress is monitored and adjustments can be made as needed. One of these reviews is conducted in conjunction with the annual course selection process.

Integrating the IPP process into our LifeReady program within Senior School classes allows students to receive guidance and support in their career and life planning journey. By actively engaging in this process, students are better equipped to make informed decisions, set achievable goals, and navigate successful transitions. At InnovOak School, we are committed to helping our students build a solid foundation for their future.