PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Mr. Marco Garduno
Director of College and Career Readiness
Leads IHSCA’s college and career readiness programming, partnerships, postsecondary initiatives, career exposure, work-based learning, and early-college opportunities.
College and Career Readiness
The future starts before senior year.
College and career readiness at IHSCA is a four-year process. Students begin exploring their interests in ninth grade and progressively develop the knowledge, confidence, leadership, experiences, and plans needed to transition successfully beyond high school.
Through individualized counseling, early college exposure, postsecondary planning, career exploration, dual-credit opportunities, and work-based learning, students are supported in identifying and pursuing a path aligned with their goals.
College and Career Readiness Team
Our team works with students and families throughout high school to support academic progress, graduation planning, college access, career development, and successful postsecondary transitions.
GRADES 10 AND 11
Dr. Dugarte
School Counselor
Supports students with academic planning, course selection, credit monitoring, college and career preparation, and social-emotional guidance.
GRADES 9 AND 12
Ms. Bruno
School Counselor
Supports the transition into high school, academic and graduation planning, senior postsecondary preparation, and social-emotional development.
A Four-Year Journey
Each year builds on the one before it, helping students move from early exploration to a clear and actionable postsecondary plan.
9TH GRADE
Explore and Belong
Transition into high school, identify interests, establish goals, explore careers, and begin developing confidence as a future college student.
10TH GRADE
Discover and Develop
Explore colleges, majors, and careers while strengthening academic planning, leadership, self-awareness, and future readiness.
11TH GRADE
Prepare and Position
Prepare for testing, research postsecondary programs, explore financial aid, and pursue advanced college and career experiences.
12TH GRADE
Apply and Transition
Complete applications, FAFSA requirements, scholarships, enrollment decisions, and a final plan for the transition beyond IHSCA.
MORE THAN A CAMPUS VISIT
Early College Exposure and Development
IHSCA partners with colleges and universities to provide grade-level college experiences throughout high school. These experiences introduce students to college environments while helping them develop the confidence, leadership, knowledge, and sense of belonging needed to see themselves as future college students.
✓ College and university campus visits
✓ Grade-level college trips
✓ Student leadership development
✓ College-readiness workshops
✓ Academic and career exploration
✓ Exposure to campus life and expectations
✓ Team-building and personal development
✓ Admissions and financial-aid information
College and Career Support
Students receive developmentally appropriate support throughout high school based on their grade level, academic progress, goals, and postsecondary interests.
Academic and Graduation Planning
Course selection, credit monitoring, graduation progress, pathway planning, and academic interventions.
College Applications
College research, application completion, personal statements, recommendations, deadlines, and enrollment decisions.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
FAFSA completion, financial-aid awareness, scholarship searches, application support, and understanding college costs.
Career Exploration
Career assessments, industry exposure, professional speakers, workplace exploration, and connections between education and careers.
Work-Based Learning
Internships, job-shadowing, career experiences, resume development, interview preparation, and professional-skill development.
Postsecondary Transition
SchoolLinks, Learn.Plan.Succeed, final decision support, summer-transition planning, and preparation for life after graduation.
Dual Credit and Early College
Through college partnerships, eligible IHSCA students can enroll in college-level coursework and earn transferable credit while still in high school.
Opportunities may include college English, mathematics, science, Spanish, and healthcare-related coursework. Participation is based on academic readiness, GPA, attendance, placement requirements, course prerequisites, and counselor and family approval.
Students enrolled in dual-credit courses are expected to maintain college-level academic performance, consistent attendance, and active engagement throughout the course.
Families Are Essential Partners
Postsecondary planning is strongest when students, families, and school staff work together. Families are encouraged to participate in counselor meetings, college and career events, financial-aid workshops, application support, and final enrollment decisions.
Students and families should contact their assigned counselor early whenever they have questions about graduation progress, college options, financial aid, career opportunities, or postsecondary planning.
Begin Planning Your Future
Connect with the College and Career Readiness team or explore available resources using the options below.