• attending a community or technical college
• enrolling in a four-year university
• earning an online degree
• working while going to college
• enlisting in the armed forces

7 KEYS to College and Career Readiness

KEY 1:  Score a “Level 4” on the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) in Kindergarten

KEY 2:  Score “Accelerated” in Reading on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (O.A.A.) in Grade 3

KEY 3:  Score “Accelerated” in Math on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (O.A.A.) in Grade 5

KEY 4:  Score “Accelerated” in Reading and Math on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (O.A.A.) in Grade 7

KEY 5:  Earn 5 credits in Grade 9 with a ‘C’ or higher in English, Math, and Science

KEY 6:  Complete Algebra 2 by Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher

KEY 7:  Score a 22 on the ACT or 1550 on the SAT

West Carrollton’s Seven KEYS are much more demanding than the state requirements for earning a high school diploma. This is intentional. Students who only meet state high school graduation requirements may not be prepared to take and do well in college-level classes. They may be required to take and pay for remedial courses at their college before starting college-level work. But students who attain the Seven KEYS are less likely to need remedial classes and more likely to be ready for college and a career.

There will be situations where a student may not attain one KEY or several KEYS for any number of reasons. All children are unique, and how quickly or how much they progress will vary. Some students will attain the KEYS with the special services and accommodations they receive through their educational plans. Attaining all Seven KEYS does increase the likelihood of a student being ready for college. But missing a KEY does not close the doors to college for any student. It’s important to look at all of a student’s strengths, as well as the student’s motivation to succeed.

KEY 1:  Score a “Level 4” on the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) in Kindergarten
Students who score at this level by the end of Kindergarten are able to read and understand simple books independently. Reading is the cornerstone for success in all other academic areas.

KEY 2:  Score “Accelerated” in Reading on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (O.A.A.) in Grade 3
Students who score at this level understand what they read and can reflect and write about what they have read. These skills allow them to be successful as they move toward greater independence in the completion of school work in the upper elementary and middle school grades.

KEY 3:  Score “Accelerated” in Math on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (O.A.A.) in Grade 5
Students who score at this level demonstrate the abilities to calculate with high accuracy, solve more complex word problems, and apply abstract thinking strategies to real world situations.

KEY 5:  Earn 5 credits in Grade 9 with a ‘C’ or higher in English, Math, and Science
Students who earn 5 credits in grade 9 with a ‘C’ or higher in English, Math, and Science are developing the appropriate skills, behaviors and strategies necessary for the academic demands of high school. Students who earn a ‘C’ or higher have a solid understanding of the fundamentals and will be able to enroll in college and career preparatory courses. These students have established a strong foundation for more rigorous coursework during their high school career.

KEY 6:  Complete Algebra 2 by Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher
Students who complete Algebra 2 by the end of Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher are better prepared for college entrance exams and success in college. These students are more likely to perform better on the ACT or SAT college entrance exams and are less likely to have to take remedial math courses in college. Students who complete Algebra 2 also are more than twice as likely to graduate from college than are students with less mathematical preparation.

KEY 7:  Score a 22 on the ACT or 1550 on the SAT
Scoring at least 22 on the ACT exam (maximum score 36) or 1550 on the SAT exam (maximum score 2400) helps students gain acceptance to the college of their choice. It also minimizes the chance that students will have to take remedial courses in college. In preparation for the ACT or SAT, West Carrollton offers all students in Grade 10 the opportunity to take the PLAN (preliminary ACT) and/or the PSAT (preliminary SAT) free of charge.

What if my child misses one of the Seven KEYS or transfers into West Carrollton Schools in the later grades and misses several KEYS?

West Carrollton Schools recognizes that there will be situations where students will not attain all Seven KEYS or that some KEYS will not be appropriate for every student in every grade. Achieving a KEY increases the likelihood that a student will attain the next one, but it is important to remember that missing a KEY or struggling to attain one does not close the doors of opportunity to students. Working together we can ensure your child is ‘Charting a Course’ to college and career readiness.

Well-Rounded Students

The Seven KEYS focus on core academics, but a West Carrollton education goes far beyond these skills. Students work toward the Seven KEYS in the context of a broad-based curriculum that teaches them to develop and exhibit positive work ethic, attitudes, and behavior, take responsibility and ownership for completing work, work in teams and understand teamwork, set goals for learning, make learning tactic adjustments, demonstrate effort and perseverance, and build assets. Our highly trained, dedicated staff engage students’ minds, muscles, and imaginations, build relationships, and teach students how to learn.

What Can Parents Do?

The Seven KEYS to College and Career Readiness are building blocks for your child’s success. You can help your child ‘chart a course’ to college and a career by monitoring the KEYS in Kindergarten through high school. Your child’s teachers and administrators can answer questions you may have about the Seven KEYS.

“Key Beliefs”

1.   College is a realistic goal for all students.
2.   Jobs will require training and education beyond high school.
3.   A college education opens doors to more job opportunities.
4.   A WCSD diploma is an entrance slip to college and career readiness – not an exit slip from WCHS.