CONNECTIONS ACADEMY
Program Overview
West Michigan is home to some of the most innovative companies and organizations in the nation and the Connections Academy is an opportunity to experience what these companies do first hand. The program will allow students to see and experience several different career opportunities within various businesses/ organizations and gain useful skills that can be applied to whatever path they may choose to pursue in the future. Some participating businesses during the 2014/2015 school year include: ‐ Gentex ‐ Holland City Hall ‐ OMT Veyhl ‐ J.R. Automation ‐ Metal Flow ‐ Haworth ‐ Holland BPW ‐ I.F. R. ‐ Primera Plastics ‐ Johnson Controls, Inc. ‐ Magna ‐ The Stow Company ‐ Herman‐Miller ‐ ITW Drawform ‐Trans‐Matic Students participating in the program will be eligible to earn high school credit and articulated college credit. IMPORTANT DATES – SEMESTER 1 IMPORTANT DATES – SEMESTER 2
ORIENTATION: August 21st or 22nd (9:00 am– 4:00 pm) Get to know your teachers, companies, and other students that you will be working with throughout the program. (Orientation date will depend on your partnering company/ organization) PROGRAM DATES: Sept. 8 – Dec. 4, 2014 (2 Days/Week, 3:30 – 5:30 pm) Work with and learn about the company/organization that you are partnered with and experience what other organizations in the area do. SATURDAY COLLEGE VISIT: October 11, 2014 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) SATURDAY DESIGN SESSION: November 22, 2014 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) FINAL EVENT: Week of December 1 SATURDAY ‐ ORIENTATION: January 10, 2015 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) Get to know your teachers, companies, and other students that you will be working with throughout the program. PROGRAM DATES: January 12 – April 2, 2015 (2 Days/Week, 3:30 – 5:30 pm) Work on an in‐depth, real‐world issue in an area of interest at the company/organization that you are partnered with and develop a plan for your future. SATURDAY COLLEGE VISIT: February 7, 2015 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) SATURDAY DESIGN SESSION: March 14, 2015 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) FINAL EVENT: Week of April 13 *depending on number of applicants to the program, preference may be given to new participants CONNECTIONS ACADEMY
Application Overview
THIS APPLICATION IS FOR STUDENTS THAT WILL BE A JUNIOR OR SENIOR IN THE 2014/2015 SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE READ ALL PROGRAM INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION PACKET. The Connections Academy is a career preparation program for local high school students entering their Junior or Senior year of high school. The program will allow students to see and experience several different career opportunities in businesses/organizations within the area and gain skills that will help prepare them for whatever career they may choose to pursue. During the program students will be partnered with a company/organization based upon their interests and potential areas of future study. During the summer, August 21st and 22nd from 9:00 – 4:00, there will be an orientation session to introduce students to one another, their teachers, and partnering companies/ organizations. During 1st semester (September 8 ‐ December 4), students will meet twice a week for two hours (3:30 – 5:30) to learn about their partnering company and other businesses and organizations within the area through real‐life, engaging project‐based work. During 2nd semester (January 12 ‐ April 2) students will have the opportunity to explore and develop solutions to real‐life issues at their partnering company in areas of interest to them. Along with this, students will be guided through the creation of a plan for their education and career goals. Students participating in the program will be eligible to earn high school credit and articulated college credit. IMPORTANT DATES ‐ Application Due: April 24th Interviews: Week of May 3 & 12 Final Selection and Notification to Students: Week of May 26th STUDENT ELIGIBILITY ‐ Minimum 2.0 GPA Does not exceed school’s attendance policy Able to participate in after‐school program (NOTE: Participation in this program will limit Involvement in extra‐curricular/after‐school activities). APPLICATION MATERIALS ‐ Online Application Teacher Recommendation Form Transcript & Attendance Record *depending on number of applicants to the program, preference may be given to new participants