Creating a One-Stop College and Career Readiness System in South Texas

Sharyland Independent School District, located in South Texas, has made college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) a central focus of its work with students. Under the leadership of Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Jennifer Martinez, the district has steadily expanded its use of SchooLinks over the past two years, transforming it into a comprehensive platform that supports students from early career exploration through graduation. By bringing together course planning, college applications, FAFSA tracking, and CCMR data into one system, Sharyland is helping every student graduate with a personalized plan for the future.

Building a Connected Student Journey

Sharyland's implementation of SchooLinks has grown strategically over time. The district began with college application management and FAFSA tracking before adding the High School Course Planner to help students map all four years of high school. Today, middle school course selection has been incorporated into the platform, and elementary students are beginning to engage with SchooLinks as well.

This progression allows students to develop a long-term plan that can evolve as their interests change. Rather than making isolated decisions each year, students can visualize a pathway from freshman year through graduation while exploring college, career, and military opportunities along the way.

One Platform for Students, Families, and Educators

Sharyland has also expanded SchooLinks to strengthen visibility into student progress. The district uploads assessment data—including TSI, SAT, ACT, and AP scores—so students, parents, teachers, principals, and district leaders all have access to the same information. The district continues refining its Career and Technical Education (CTE) tracking, creating an increasingly comprehensive picture of each student's readiness.

Beyond improving access to data, SchooLinks has replaced many manual tracking processes. The district can now monitor college applications, scholarships, and course demand while forecasting future staffing and program needs. Martinez describes SchooLinks as a true "one-stop shop" that simplifies the entire high school experience for every stakeholder.

Planning Every Student's Future

For Jennifer Martinez, the ultimate goal extends beyond technology. She wants every Sharyland student to graduate truly college, career, and military ready, equipped with both a clear plan and the flexibility to refine that plan over time.

By giving students the opportunity to explore careers, discover colleges, map coursework, and monitor their progress from the earliest grades through graduation, SchooLinks empowers them to take ownership of their future. As Martinez reflected, the platform gives students something many have never had before: a personalized pathway that they can build, adjust, and confidently follow toward postsecondary success.

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