When the freshman academies roll out in Akron Public Schools next fall, kids will spend the year exploring their interests and deciding on a pathway to head down once the full College and Career Academies are implemented in the 2019-2020 school year.

Here’s a closer look at a four-year education under the Akron College and Career Academies model:

• Freshman year: Students will work with teachers to explore opportunities and align them with their strengths, skills and interests. They will take a freshman seminar to explore different pathways, research skills needed to succeed and participate in team-building activities and leadership development.

Students also will participate in two exploration events: a visit to a college campus or training opportunity, and a career fair to further explore possible options.

Freshmen will select their pathway in January.

• Sophomore year: Students will take one introductory career course and other increasingly focused coursework. Every student will participate in a field trip to explore pathways in a certain industry.

• Junior year: Students will take one career-related course. They also will participate in one-on-one or small-group job shadowing to experience a day-in-the-life of being on the job.

• Senior year: Students will take two career-related courses. They also will complete a capstone project, which could include an internship, research project or extended job shadow.

Seniors will take an end-of-course exam that will help them prepare for industry-recognized certifications and licenses.