Charting a course beyond graduation

At Hanover Middle School, preparing students for life beyond graduation doesn’t begin in high school. It begins in seventh grade. The Visionary Individualized Planning Process (VIP²), an innovative initiative developed under the leadership of Hanover Public School District Superintendent Dr. John Scola, equips students with the tools to set meaningful goals, explore career interests and connect their present experiences to their future aspirations.

Launched in 2017, VIP² is rooted in the belief that early and intentional planning helps students chart clearer, more confident pathways. Each seventh grader begins with an interest survey, aligned to the Holland Codes framework, which identifies individual strengths and career related preferences. Students then engage in a 30-minute interview with a school counselor or administrator. During the interview, students set long-term goals for life after high school. These goals are focused on pathways such as attending college, attending a technical school, enlisting in the military, or entering the work-force. Short-term goals are also set related to academic success, attendance, and school involvement. Parents are invited to participate, making the process a collaborative effort that bridges school and home support systems.

The VIP² process continues beyond this initial meeting. Students meet quarterly with a mentor teacher to monitor progress, reflect on challenges, and refine goals. They also maintain an online VIP² portfolio, accessible to both students and parents, which documents each stage of growth and exploration. This structured, ongoing reflection ensures that by the time students enter high school, they already have a clear plan to guide course selection and career exploration.

Research supports early interventions. According to the American School Counselor Association, students who engage in structured career exploration during middle school demonstrate stronger motivation, better academic outcomes, and higher postsecondary aspirations. Similarly, a 2021 report from ACT reports that students who establish career goals before entering high school are more likely to pursue rigorous coursework aligned to their interests and demonstrate persistence toward graduation.

The program also extends learning beyond the classroom. Hanover Middle School seventh graders visit Gettysburg College and Harrisburg Area Community College to experience a college environment firsthand, tour campus facilities, and interact with current students. These opportunities expand students’ perspectives and help them envision a wide array of possibilities for the future.

Parents have praised VIP² for giving their children a chance to start future planning at such an early stage, noting the reassurance of having a structured support system in place. The VIP² program not only empowers students to explore their passions but also ensures that every Hanover Public School District student enters high school with a purposeful plan.

Ultimately, the Visionary Individualized Planning Process exemplifies the power of starting early. By connecting interests, goals, and support systems, VIP² fosters a culture where students are not just preparing for the next grade level, but for their futures.