The College & Career Decision-Making Incubator for High Schools

Designing projects that impact the way students make decisions about life after graduation.

About The College and Career
Decision-Making Incubator

The College and Career Decision-Making Incubator is a grant and learning opportunity for high schools that have an interest in building a model that helps students prepare for life after graduation.

Our Incubator Schools

Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School

Concord, NC

Project: Four-Year Semester-Based Course Redesign

Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School is redesigning their seminar course sequence to integrate in the Decision Education K-12 Learning Standards. Within the redesigned seminar, students will learn decision-making concepts and skills each year. Their final project will be applicable to schools interested in embedding Decision Education into an existing seminar course or format.

  • Institution Type: Public
  • Grade Levels Involved: 9th-12th
  • Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 200 Students
Church Farm School

Exton, PA

Project: College Transition Course

Church Farm School is expanding their 12th grade curriculum to include a college transition course that connects their academic courses with social-emotional support, and uses Decision Education to help students be more introspective about their life plans and choices.

  • Institution Type: Independent
  • Grade Levels Involved: 10th-11th
  • Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 50 Students
Cristo Rey Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

Project: Four-Year Advisory Curriculum

Cristo Rey Philadelphia is reimagining their existing advisory program to create a cohesive college and career-focused curriculum for 9th-12th grade students. The new advisory curriculum sets students up for successful decision-making opportunities by building students’ understanding of the educational systems around them. From exploring how their GPA is calculated to discussing thoughtful and deliberate course selection, students will have the tools to make proactive, informed decisions about their future. The final project will be applicable to high schools looking to implement a four-year advisory curriculum focused on applying decision-making skills to college and career readiness.

  • Institution Type: Independent
  • Grade Levels Involved: 9th-12th
  • Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 200 Students
Lincoln College Prep

Kansas City, MO

Project: Student Journaling and Application Support

Lincoln College Prep is embarking on a student journaling project that captures students’ decision-making journeys as they explore their options for colleges and careers, and make decisions about their futures. In addition, the school is providing support with the college application process to ensure students and families are utilizing all available resources. Their final project is applicable to high schools that are looking to provide multifaceted support with student college and career exploration.

  • Institution Type: Public
  • Grade Levels Involved: 11th-12th
  • Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 200 Students
Livonia Middle/High School

Livonia, NY

Project: Leadership and Career Development Courses

Livonia Middle/High School has a two-part project idea. First and foremost, they will build a leadership and career development course for 10th grade students. They will also explore and discuss college and career decision-making within all 10th and 11th grade academic courses. Their final curriculum project will be of interest to middle and/or high schools looking to teach leadership and development course in 10th grade.

  • Institution Type: Public
  • Grade Levels Involved: 10th-11th
  • Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 150 Students

The Incubator Timeline

Program Details

Each school joins the Incubator for 18 months—and appoints a small team of 3-5 staff to lead the work—taking part in professional development, working with an Alliance coach, developing their project, and implementing it with students. Schools accepted into the Incubator receive:

$30,000 in flexible funding to support all aspects of the project, from professional development time to planning and student implementation.

15-20 coaching days with an Alliance Education Manager.

Access to our asynchronous Intro to Decision Education online course for educators, with coaching support.

Networking and collaboration opportunities with other schools in the Incubator.

Alliance support and guidance about assessing the success and impact of the project.

Opportunities for media coverage, including school highlights, as well as teacher and student stories and case studies.

We are excited for the opportunity to have the Alliance as a thought partner in creating and revising curriculum to best support our students. We believe our students will benefit from using decision-making skills as they make their post-graduation plans.

Flannery O’Connor
Principal, Cristo Rey Philadelphia

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