The California College Guidance Initiative is partnering with the Palo Alto Unified School District to implement a new college and career planning platform in spring 2023.

According to Kathie Laurence, director of academic initiatives for PAUSD, the platform uses CaliforniaColleges.edu, a free state-run website. 

“It has seamless integration with community colleges, CSUs and UCs,” Laurence said. 

Laurence hopes to have the platform live by February, and the Class of 2024 will be the first to participate. Students in grades nine through 12 will have access to services such as career education, A-G course tracking, automatic transcript verification, academic planning and help with applications for federal student aid. 

“It [CaliforniaColleges.edu] has seamless integration with community colleges, CSUs and UCs.” 

— Kathie Laurence, director of academic initiatives 

Sandra Cernobori, a college adviser at Palo Alto High School, anticipates that CaliforniaColleges.edu will be more beneficial to students and families outside of college and career planning. 

“It’ll be a lot more obvious and transparent that you’re on track for meeting CSU and UC eligibility even before you get to me,” Cernobori said.

CaliforniaColleges.edu is designed to supplement Naviance, the current college and career planning system used by PAUSD, according to Laurence. 

For junior Sophia Lee, having both Naviance and Californiacolleges.edu in place would be an ideal, streamlined process for applying to UC, CSUs and community colleges

“I used Naviance for college visits at Paly,” Lee said. “And I would support that [the new college and career planning platform].”