Career and College Prep

Career and College Prep is available to Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) by K12 students in grades 6–12. Whether your student is college-bound, eager to start a career, or still exploring their options, our Career and College Prep program helps them graduate with a map to their future.
Student working on a project using goggles

Preparing Students for What’s Next

Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer support early and often. At Arkansas Virtual Academy, we help students use their middle and high school years to figure out where they want to go and map how to get there.

Middle School Career Exploration

In middle school, our 6–8th graders can take career exploration courses to discover their interests early, find their strengths, and start thinking about the career pathways they’ll take in high school.

High School Career Pathways

In high school, 9–12th graders can take a deeper dive into a career-focused concentration of their choice. Career pathways are an excellent way for students to get a jump-start on a career immediately after high school or to help them make the right decision about their college major.

Exciting Industry Clusters to Study

Agriculture
Computer Science
Education
Financial Services
Healthcare & Human Services
Management & Entrepreneurship
Marketing & Sales
Public Service & Safety

Real Support for Real-World Opportunities

At ARVA, students can discover their strengths and take important steps toward their future — whatever that future may look like for them. ARVA students can:

  • Get guidance from dedicated counselors on colleges, scholarships, and career goals
  • Earn college credit in select courses with dual enrollment at our partner institutions 
  • Prep to take industry-recognized certification exams during high school or after graduating1 
  • Participate in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs)
  • Develop marketable skills through hands-on and project-based learning 
  • Get assistance with résumés, interview prep, and more! 

Career and College Prep Motivates Students to Find Their Passion

“The career -focused classes are a great preparation for life and the job place.” – ARVA Head of School Amy Johnson

Career and Technical Student Organization Offerings

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) extend classroom learning into the real world. By joining, students gain access to industry networking, competitive events, and leadership scholarships.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

Emphasizing family relationships, career readiness, and community leadership through family and consumer sciences education, FCCLA offers intracurricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. The FCCLA helps to: 

  • Provide opportunities for making decisions, assuming responsibilities, and preparing for adult life
  • Strengthen the function of the family as a basic unit of society
  • Encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community
  • Promote greater understanding between youth and adults

National FFA Organization (FFA)

FFA is a co-curricular organization connected to agricultural education that gives students opportunities to build leadership skills, explore careers, and gain hands-on experience. Students can join FFA when they are enrolled in an agriculture course. Students in FFA can:

  • Build valuable skills through hands-on learning
  • Explore their interests in a range of agricultural careers
  • Participate in competitions based on real-world agricultural skills

Technology Student Association (TSA)

TSA is a national, nonprofit CTSO for middle school and high school students who are engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Since TSA was chartered in 1978, more than million students have benefited from membership. Students in TSA can:

  • Compete in a wide variety of STEM competitions—from biotechnology and cybersecurity to STEM animation
  • Participate in co-curricular activities and community service
  • Gain 21st-century leadership skills

SkillsUSA

With curriculum that covers 130 job categories and more than 600 national partners — businesses, trade associations, and unions — SkillsUSA gives students the opportunity to:

  • Practically apply what they learn in the classroom
  • Take courses in addition to those offered by the ARVA course catalog
  • Participate in academic competitions and community service activities
  • Connect with like-minded students who have similar career and academic interests
  • Earn scholarships offered exclusively through SkillsUSA