WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - For the ninth year in a row, River City High School has earned the prestigious Career Choices gold medal, joining an elite group of schools nationwide recognized for their outstanding life and career planning programs.

The award, presented by curriculum publisher Academic Innovations, honors schools that excel in preparing students for success in college, careers and life. River City High School continues to set the standard with its program, using the Career Choices series curriculum and My10yearPlan.com to help students create skills-based plans for their futures.

Lead teacher Marlaina Spivey and River City High School consistently demonstrate a commitment to student success in many ways in their use of the Career Choices series curriculum. This includes utilizing the 10-Year Plan in academic planning. 

"We have students create a four-year academic plan for River City High School where they select their classes and review their choices. It's a live document, so if they fail a class, they mark it in red and must re-enroll for it the following year. From there, they assess how any changes this year may impact their long-term goals. They reflect on whether they still want to pursue their original plans or if adjustments are needed, including revisiting their career interests and taking a new survey," Spivey said.

Innovative approaches such as this approach have earned River City nine consecutive Career Choices gold medals leading to accomplishments like exceeding state averages and standards in test scores and graduation rate. 

The Career Choices gold medal is awarded to top-performing schools that demonstrate strong outcomes in college and career readiness, post-secondary planning, and workforce preparation. According to Academic Innovations, it also reflects a school’s commitment to equity and access for all students.

“It’s always a joy to spotlight educators who are making a difference, but the biggest winners are the students and the communities they’ll go on to lead,” said Mindy Bingham, author of the Career Choices curriculum and CEO of Academic Innovations. “Thanks to the efforts of teachers and administrators at River City, students are developing long-term 10-year career and education plans that prepare them for adult life with confidence and clarity.”

As River City High School celebrates its ninth consecutive gold medal, it serves as a model of what’s possible when educators prioritize student-centered planning and lifelong success.