What are career clusters?

A career cluster is a program of interconnected academic and elective courses aligned with a career pathway. A career cluster involves exploration courses, preparation courses, immersion courses, and application courses. This program will help LCR3 students find interests, explore passions, and develop practical skills for a changing professional environment through project-based courses and real-world experiences. Career clusters give students post-secondary connections, relevant capstone experiences, and practical applications.

Why career clusters?

LCR3 students will graduate with a sense of purpose and direction for their future goals. They know and understand how to achieve those goals in preparation for becoming contributing members of society. This program will engage students in learning that prepares them for careers and life after high school. 

How will this impact elective class selection?

This program will help support purposeful elective selections by helping students focus their courses on interests and future plans.

What if my student wants to explore different career clusters?

Students are not required to stay in a specific career cluster once selected and can change at any point at the end of a semester. We anticipate that students may finish multiple career clusters before graduating from high school.

What is ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan), and how is it related to career clusters?

An ICAP is an Individualized 4-year plan for students. All students are required to begin an ICAP in 8th grade as they begin planning for their high school course selections. Students will complete these in Infinite Campus as they prepare for course scheduling.

What are Market Value Assets?

Industry valued and recognized skills acquired in high school that create a more seamless transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace are called Market Value Assets. Market Value Assets make further education and training, and ultimately, a job, more affordable and attainable. 

Will students without a specific career interest be placed inside a career cluster?

We will work with all of our students to identify critical information that might help them narrow their areas of interest. Career exploration activities through classes offered during the students' middle school and freshman years will help students identify career clusters that align with their interests, talents, and abilities. Students will also meet with their counselor to discuss all of the options available to them.

Our career clusters are most successful when we have strong partnerships with local employers. Together, we are preparing our workforce for the future. If you are interested in becoming a business partner, please contact our District Career Coach, Ryan Meyers, at meyersr@troy.k12.mo.us.