Sets you up for success
Destinations is designed for teens who want to make the most of their high school years. You receive a high-quality, personalized, and career-focused education every semester. Just ask current Destinations parents—86% are satisfied with how Destinations is preparing their high school student for a career.1 So, what makes Destinations different from a traditional school? Here you can take advantage of guided career explorations to discover more about your strengths and interests. Then, you take a series of career courses you're passionate about that will give you a jump start on your plans after high school.
We know what you're thinking, how much is a program like this going to cost? Good news! It's tuition-free in 20+ states. Here's the thing; more than 45 million Americans carry some type of student debt. Exploring career options and developing a plan for your future while you are earning your high school diploma can save you time and money.
Did you know more than half of college students change their major? You don't have to wait until college to figure out what you want to pursue. High school is the perfect time to build confidence in your passion and save money on the "wandering" years. At Destinations, you have the opportunity to take dual enrollment courses while in high school, which can help cut future costs even further. That's what Anthony, a 2020 student in Ohio, has been doing by taking college-level courses while in high school. He is already halfway to completing his two-year associate's degree.2
Helps you build strong relationships
Don't worry about giving up extra-curricular activities and time with friends. You'll chat with your peers, get support from your teachers, and participate in career clubs.* Need some proof? 83% of Destinations' parents are satisfied with their high school students' opportunities to work together with other students in an online environment.1
At Destinations, you'll meet with your state-accredited teachers virtually every day during Class Connects and can chat with them after hours via email. A parent from Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville notes, "The classes provide instruction that has allowed my daughter not only to learn but to challenge her thought process without overwhelming her with unnecessary information. She has opportunities to participate in classes, and feedback is constructive."1 Wondering just how supportive our teachers are?
The classes are provided with instruction that has allowed my daughter to not only learn but to challenge her thought process without overwhelming her with unnecessary information. She is given the opportunity to participate in classes and feedback is constructive.*
—Destinations Parent, Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville.
Just ask Anna, a 2020 student in Colorado, who shares how thankful she is for her school and her teachers: "They have never said 'you can't do that,' instead, they say 'this is how we help you to be successful.'"2
When the school day is over, the fun doesn't stop. From clubs, sports teams, and extracurriculars, you can meet other students just like you.* You'll also build relationships with industry professionals while in high school. How, you ask? Your teachers bring industry professionals to the classroom, allowing you to meet experts virtually, ask questions, and learn more about the typical day in your chosen career. You can also seek opportunities to get work-based learning experiences during high school using Tallo, a web-based networking platform.
Allows you to explore interests
Ever wondered how you're supposed to choose a career field that interests you? Destinations makes it easy with career readiness education (CRE). Have a passion for technology? Your career counselor may recommend taking Destinations' IT Explorations course to learn about the types of jobs available within your field. Then, take career-focused electives tailored to your dream career. For example, Anna says, "All of the business classes and leadership classes will help me with my goal of opening up my own bakery."2
Outside of class, you can participate in online clubs to meet like-minded students and get hands-on experience doing things you love.* As a part of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Kierra, a 2020 student in Colorado, was able to "make sacked lunches for the homeless, go to local nursing homes, and pretty much just give back to the people who have given back to us."2 Similarly, Chloe, a 2020 student in Indiana, was able to compete on the regional and state levels of SkillsUSA, where she demonstrated her knowledge of medical practices within the first aid and CPR category to judges.2
For us, project-based learning isn't so much about mastering a certain skill to take a test. It isn't so much about assessing how much they've grown. We are teaching them how to become problem solvers, how to critically think through a process and solve those problems, how to develop strategies around that, and not only that but to collaborate.
—Dr. Marisa Martinez, Academic Administrator, DCA at Florida Online School
Provides real-world training
Our CRE program puts you in charge of your future. Angela, a Destinations parent, says she loves seeing how her daughter, Kiera, "has become a lot more self-sufficient and assertive, really taking control in that driver's seat of things she's doing. I want her to have that opportunity to trouble shoot and figure it out herself because I think those are skills that are really important."3
Wondering how this sets you up for your future? Miranda, a former student in Wyoming, shares, "Time management is vital to a successful first year in college. As a fast-paced learner, the ability to accelerate through courses with online school equipped me well for college. By working through high school at my own pace, I could work ahead whenever possible and devote more time to topics that were harder to grasp."4
At Destinations, your classroom is just like a real-world workspace. Learn to manage your time, ask for help, and take ownership of your success—just like Kierra, who says, "Although there are due dates and deadlines, I'm a very fast worker and feel most productive when I'm doing more than I'm asked."2 Most importantly, our CRE program teaches you how to work remotely—something that's become increasingly important in today's world.
"This style of learning also allows students to learn how to work the way the 'real' world does. Very few jobs involve sitting still for 45 minutes and then taking a written test. In fact, 70% of today's employees around the world work remotely at least once per week. So, the skills that students develop in an online project-based learning environment—technical computer skills, remote collaboration, critical thinking, and public speaking in a digital space—are ones that will allow students to thrive in today's workforce," says Heather Buskirk, an instructional methods advisor at Destinations.5
The skills that students develop in an online project-based learning environment-technical computer skills, remote collaboration, critical thinking, and public speaking in a digital space- are ones that will allow students to thrive in today's workforce.
—Heather Buskirk, Instructional Methods Advisor
You can get an insider's look at your dream career during Job Shadow Week. This five-day program allows you to connect with professionals and get answers to questions that can help you figure out what you want to do in life. It's no wonder 95% of Destinations parents who responded to the 2020 survey say the K12-powered school helps prepare their students for future success.1
Still unsure if Destinations will work for you? Just ask Vee, a 2020 student in Colorado: "Well, if you're ready to go into a career and you want to go into a set career, you should go into DCA. If you don't know what career you want to go into, you should also go to DCA because the counselors here will talk you through all the career pathways that they have, they will see what sparks your interest."2 Find out if Destinations is right for you. Contact us for next steps and take control of your future today.
We have multiple student outings; we do the majority of our courses through video —face-to-face— instruction with teachers - and they can see the other students in the class, so it's very, very similar to the experience at brick and mortar, but with a much more individualized approach..
—Amy Johnson, Head of DCA at Arkansas Virtual Academy
1Data from the 2020 Spring Parent Satisfaction Survey.
2Statements reflect the personal experiences of 2020 students at K12-powered schools.
3Angela is the parent of a 2020 student at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, and her statement reflects her experience at her daughter's school.
4Miranda is a former student at a K12-powered school in Wyoming, and her statement reflects her personal experience.
5Heather Buskirk is a 2020 Instructional Methods Advisor at Destinations Career Academy
Copyright © 2020 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. K12 is a registered trademark of K12 Inc. The K12 logo and other marksreferenced herein are trademarks of K12 Inc. and its subsidiaries, and other marks are owned by third parties.
