Washington state launches Universal Online High School and Beyond Plan platform

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal

OLYMPIA — The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has announced the statewide transition to a universal online High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) platform, a move aimed at standardizing career and postsecondary planning for Washington’s K–12 students.

The transition follows a directive from the 2023 Legislature, requested by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, to streamline the planning process for students. The HSBP is a graduation requirement in Washington, beginning in 7th grade, and is designed to align students’ coursework with their career interests and future training or education plans.

Currently, school districts across the state use more than a dozen different HSBP platforms, which vary in available tools and resources. The inconsistencies have made it difficult for students to maintain continuity in their planning if they move between districts.

“The High School and Beyond Plan is a powerful platform that guides students to resources, course options, and other tools in support of their career and college exploration,” Reykdal said. “Every student needs a postsecondary plan for their success and the success of our state.”

Statewide rollout and platform features

In May 2024, following a competitive selection process, OSPI chose SchooLinks as the vendor for the universal online tool. Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, students in grades 7–12 will have annual access to SchooLinks to help them plan for postsecondary pathways, including college, apprenticeships, industry certifications, military service, internships, and on-the-job training.

“Our goal for this project is to ensure all Washington students have access to a platform that offers the most comprehensive suite of tools and resources, and that provides real-time data and information to students, parents, guardians, and counselors,” Reykdal said.

The SchooLinks platform offers customizable tools for setting and tracking goals, planning coursework, exploring careers, accessing financial aid information, and building résumés. It also provides secure access for families and educators while maintaining high standards of data privacy.

Implementation timeline

For the 2025–26 school year, 156 school districts, technical colleges, state-tribal education compact schools, and charter schools have committed to implementing the SchooLinks platform. These districts will join 45 that adopted SchooLinks in the 2024–25 school year. The remaining districts will transition to the platform in the 2026–27 school year.

“I’m grateful for our pilot school districts’ participation in the initial launch, and for the Legislature’s investment in supporting our students’ postsecondary success in this way,” Reykdal said. “I’m looking forward to building a consistent statewide approach to postsecondary planning. Our students and families will be well served by this innovation.”