News from the
COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMIES
OF PROVISO WEST
VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 3 | JANUARY 2020
We wish you - our community, our family -
a 2020 filled with health, prosperity, and
a clear vision of the bright future ahead for our Proviso West High School Panthers!
Congratulations are in order!
A spectacular percentage of the class of 2023 established an excellent academic foundation during their first semester of high school by finishing on track to graduate! Congratulations to our freshmen students, faculty and staff for their hard work. We're very proud of you and your efforts! Persevere and keep pushing throughout second semester so you finish strong!

What does it mean to be On Track?
From the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research:
This Freshman OnTrack indicator identifies students as on-track if they earn at least five full-year course credits and no more than one semester F in a core course in their first year of high school. On-track students are more than three and one-half times more likely to graduate from high school in four years than off-track students. The indicator is a more accurate predictor of graduation than students’ previous achievement test scores or their background characteristics.

Perhaps the most important finding from this report is that failures during the first year of high school make a student much less likely to graduate. Based on their findings, the authors believe that parents and teachers should carefully monitor students’ grades, especially in the first semester of freshman year, when there are still many opportunities to improve grades. Helping students make a successful transition to high school during the first semester could make students more likely to graduate.

This report also finds that on-track students are not necessarily the students with the highest achievement test scores. Many students with strong achievement fail to graduate, and many students who have demonstrated weaker achievement succeed in graduating.

How does Proviso West support freshmen to be OnTrack?
The transition to high school can be challenging, and the Freshman Success Academy (FSA) is the first step in a Panther's Academy journey at Proviso West. The FSA fosters a successful transition to high school through a variety of academically rigorous and socially nurturing learning opportunities that develop a student’s sense of agency. The academic and social-emotional learning that occurs during freshman year provides the necessary knowledge base and skills required to thrive in high school and beyond. All 9th graders are assigned a freshman teacher as a Freshman Success Coach who serves as a mentor and motivational partner throughout their first year.

Want to learn more about our Freshman Success Coaches?
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IB CP) Authorization Update
You may have heard about the expansion of the Proviso Math & Science Academy IB Diploma Progamme (IB DP) at Proviso West, but did you know we are also planning to offer the IB Career-related Programme (IB CP) for current and future Proviso West students?

Subject to authorization by the International Baccalaureate, Proviso West anticipates offering students in the class of 2023 and beyond an opportunity to combine their College & Career Academy program of study with the rigorous academic expectations of the International Baccalaureate through the Career-related Programme (IB CP).

Eager to learn more? We will be hosting informational meetings regarding IB CP on Monday, February 3rd at 10:00AM, 2:00PM, and 7:00PM at Proviso West in the Little Theatre. Please join us!

Please contact Ms. Foster at 708.616.4276 or katefoster@pths209.org for more information.
Welcoming the Class of 2023 to
Chamber Town on February 12th!
We're thrilled to welcome our the incredible partners Bellwood Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement back to Proviso West on February 12th, 2020 for our 2nd Annual Chamber Town event! *Please note the date has been updated to February 12th*

Chamber Town is an educational experience where students learn to create a budget for the lifestyle they would like to achieve. In this simulation, students receive an Occupation Card that assigns an level of education, a job, and a wage or salary that they use to create a budget. Students then navigate a series of stations to secure housing, food, clothing, insurance, medical care, child care, transportation, and other financial responsibilities that adults face in the real world making choices based upon their budget. Students also evaluate the connection between postsecondary training/education, employment opportunities, and wages, making decisions about their desired path. It is an informative, exciting day !

Chamber Town is the first financial literacy activity held each spring for College & Career Academy students at Proviso West. We look forward to expanding our programming to the upperclassmen this year with events in February and April! Stay tuned for more information!

If you would like to volunteer as a community partner for Chamber Town, please reach out to Kate Foster at 708.616.4276 or katefoster@pths209.org.
Alumni Profile: Juan Yanez
Graduated from Proviso West : 2015
College Attended: University of Illinois at Chicago
College Major: Accounting
Celebrated college graduation: 2019
Greek life & college activities: I worked full-time most of my years, so I couldn’t really invest too much time into extracurricular activities. When I did, I was part of the Accounting Club and enjoyed attending meetings and networking events. We have a yearly Accounting Banquet which was pretty cool, too.
What he is proud of: I am proud of being the first male to attend University in my family. I am a first generation Mexican American.
Encouraging words: I would just say no matter the struggle, work hard and it will take you a long way. There will be challenges throughout your school time that seem impossible to overcome, but as long as you stay focused and work hard you will overcome them.
How he navigated college: I made friends who knew places I didn’t know. My RA freshmen year was always helpful if I had any questions.
Coolest thing he did while in college: Attending the accounting banquet in the Willis Tower. I also got to connect with my professors outside of class.
Plans for the future: I plan to work for an Accounting firm for a few years and become a Certified accountant, however I am an open book and will be keeping my eye out for new opportunities.
Volunteers Welcome!
As our sophomores embark on the first year of coursework in their program of study, The College & Career Academies of Proviso West would like to thank everyone who participated in the planning and activities for the inaugural year of our Academies in 2018-2019! We appreciate those who attended an Industry Council meeting, assisted with the planning of an event, shared your expertise with our students, served as consultant or thought partner, gave your feedback on a logo, a document, or a grant application, and most importantly - LOVED the Proviso West Panthers we serve on a daily basis!

Are you interested in volunteering as a career speaker, teaching students workplace readiness skills through an interview workshop, joining an Industry Council, or offering your expertise in a variety of ways?

Please click the button below to share your interest.
What are the College & Career Academies of Proviso West?
The College & Career Academies of Proviso West endeavor to prepare students to confidently pursue the post-secondary training and career path of their choosing in a globally competitive society. Driven by student interest and workforce projections, our Academies provide access to authentic, hands-on learning experiences that cultivate social and emotional well-being through teamwork, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. 


Within our three College & Career Academies, all students choose a program of study comprised of academically rigorous core subjects and specialized courses in their career area of interest. Students will progress through their Academy with peers who share similar interests and a common team of teachers, which builds camaraderie and a culture of belonging. 

The College & Career Academies at Proviso West include the Freshman Success Academy (FSA) and the three college and career academies beginning in the sophomore year:

Wellness & Society Academy (WSA)

Technology & Innovation Academy (TIA)

Global Business Academy (GBA)

For additional information about each Academy, click 'Learn More' below.
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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Kate Foster | College & Career Academy Coordinator
Direct: 708.202.6501 | Cell: 708.616.4276 | katefoster@pths209.org