College & Career
College & Career
Our Commitment
Pasadena ISD's College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) program ensures every student graduates prepared for their next step—whether that's a four-year university, community college, technical program, military service, or direct entry into the workforce. We provide guidance, support, and resources to help you explore your interests and reach your goals.
AVID Program
- Advancement Via Individual Determination is a comprehensive college-readiness program that supports students in developing essential academic and life skills.
- AVID Supports Include:
- Study strategies — Note-taking, test preparation, and critical thinking skills
- Organization and time management — Planners, binders, and assignment tracking
- College awareness — Application processes, financial aid, and higher education pathways
- Career exploration — Guest speakers, industry connections, and career discovery
- Goal setting and growth mindset — Short-term and long-term planning with resilience-building
- Mentorship — Access to peer mentors and academic advisors
- Collaborative learning — Small-group instruction and teamwork development
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
CTE Programs of Study are coordinated sequences of courses that teach technical and academic skills for specific career paths. Students gain hands-on experience, earn industry certifications, and may pursue dual-credit college courses.
14 Career Clusters
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture & Construction
- Arts, Audio Visual Technology & Communications
- Business, Marketing & Finance
- Education & Training
- Energy
- Engineering
- Health Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law & Public Service
- Manufacturing
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
CTE Completer Status: Students who complete three or more CTE courses, including a Level 3 or 4 course, within a program of study earn recognition on their transcript and are eligible for industry certifications.
Dual Credit & Advanced Academics
Earn College Credit in High School:
- Dual Credit Courses — Earn simultaneous high school and college credit through San Jacinto College
- Advanced Placement (AP) — College-level coursework with potential college credit upon exam success
- International Baccalaureate (IB) — Rigorous global curriculum recognized by universities worldwide
Benefits:
- Save time and money on college tuition
- Demonstrate college readiness to universities
- Earn performance acknowledgments on your transcript
Personal Graduation Plan (PGP)
Your Personal Graduation Plan is a roadmap for success. Created by eighth grade and updated annually, it guides course selections, endorsement choices, and career exploration.
Build Your PGP Using MapMyGrad:
Your counselor will work with you to ensure your plan aligns with your college and career goals.
College Planning Timeline
Grades 8–9:
- Explore endorsements and CTE programs
- Build your Personal Graduation Plan
- Take PSAT/NMSQT during sophomore year
Grades 10–11:
- Research colleges and universities
- Maintain a strong GPA and take rigorous courses
- Attend college visits and career nights
- Take the SAT or ACT
Grade 12:
- Visit college representatives
- Apply to colleges early
- Complete FAFSA or TASFA
- Apply for scholarships
Key Resources
College Planning & Information:
- ApplyTexas — Apply to Texas public universities and colleges
- Texas OnCourse — College and career planning resources
- Ask ADVi — AI-powered college questions answered
- US News: Compare Colleges — Compare colleges side by side
Career Exploration:
- MapMyGrad — Explore careers and plan your path
- Texas Career Check — Search occupations and labor market information
- My TX Future — Career and education planning tools
- Jobs Y’all – Career Exploration — Explore meaningful careers in Texas
- Texas Reality Check — Estimate lifestyle costs and salary needs
Work-Based Learning:
- Texas Internship Challenge — Gain real-world experience
Contact Your College Advisor
- Leslie Diaz (Advise Texas College Advisor) — Lesliediazdeleon@tamu.edu
College Now Coordinator:
- Rumalda Rivera — RRivera@pasadenaisd.org
Join Our Eagle Family
Interested in attending Pasadena High School? We're ready to welcome you! Your future starts here.
Three Paths. Unlimited Futures. Choose Pasadena High School,
Pasadena's original high school, empowers you to choose your journey. Pursue our rigorous Traditional Academic Program with AP courses. Earn a high school diploma and associate degree with no-cost tuition through Pasadena Early College High School (PECHS). Or gain industry certifications through the Bobby Newcomb CTE Center at PHS.
Your future starts here. Enroll today.
Enroll Now - Become a Pasadena Eagle Today!
The Mighty Eagle Way: Courage, Responsibility, and Respect