Planning In Advance Students In Post Falls Start Mapping Their Future Education When They Sign Up For Freshman Classes

Post Falls schools

As Post Falls seniors prepare to graduate, many are taking advantage of planning that began years ago - before they even got to high school.

Thanks to that advanced planning, seniors are about to embark on further schooling as far away as Harvard University or as close to home as North Idaho College.

Students in Post Falls begin an educational plan based on career interests in the spring of eighth grade when they register for freshman classes.

These eighth-graders read about six career paths recognized by the state of Idaho and choose required and elective classes based upon what employment they hope for after graduation.

Students and their parents also learn the minimum high school requirements for four-year colleges, required grade-point averages to enroll and minimum standardized test scores for state colleges or universities.

In addition to working with eighth grade students on course selection, Post Falls High School counselors Bill Wood, Michael Arnold and Kris Olson help guide juniors through the many options of post secondary schools and programs.

Students receive guidance and information on the job outlook for hundreds of professions.

Says Wood, “It is just as important for a student to find out what he or she does not want to do.”

The income gap between workers with a college degree and those without higher education keeps widening. Although most new jobs created between now and 2010 will require training beyond high school, not all of them will require a four-year degree.

Timelines help juniors keep track of necessary college preparatory classes and entrance tests required for many scholarships. Students are also are encouraged to attend “Higher Education” day and college fairs. Job shadowing and mentor programs are available for students interested in the day-to-day experience of a specific job.

Thanks to the Internet, applying for financial aid has become much easier.

Students can enter personal information about grades and activities. Web sites will automatically inform students for which scholarships they are eligible.

Out of 190 senior students surveyed by counselors, 122 are headed for two-year programs. The majority of those will be attending NIC. David Stockdale and Lynn Richmond are two of these students.

Stockdale will study drafting and computer-assisted design. He will work while going to college - as he has through most of high school.

After he completes his studies at NIC, Stockdale might “switch to an engineering school.”

“School finally clicked for me this year,” he said.

He plans a career in architecture, city planning or machine design.

Richmond will follow the two-year program at NIC for legal secretaries. She will also take paralegal courses. She plans to live at home to save money and “to keep my GPA up.”

Both students are already working part-time for companies in their chosen professions. And both chose NIC for its low cost and proximity to home.

Fifty-two students out of the 190 surveyed are planning to attend four-year colleges. Kelly Greenfield will attend the University of Idaho.

Greenfield is a finalist in Junior Miss, a varsity track team member and vice president of the Christian student club First Priority. She became interested in the international studies program after befriending some foreign exchange students and taking foreign language classes.

At UI, Greenfield can pay in-state tuition and not be far from home. She has not chosen a profession, but knows she wants to study abroad.

Unlike Greenfield, senior Jack Caughran is seeking a college experience far from home.

A Student Council member and class president, Caughran will be attending Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. He’s received considerable financial aid to attend the school and is now planning a career in a surgical specialty, with an eye toward residency at a Seattle hospital.

On a trip to Boston two weeks ago, Caughran toured the Harvard campus and met some students. Many of the students he met came from prestigious private schools, which, unlike Post Falls-offered eight advanced placement classes, Caughran said he feels confident he’s well-prepared for college.

“There are so many good kids and not much scholarship money,” laments counselor Wood.

He said even students that have a 3.4 or 3.5 GPA and are not involved in activities have a difficult time finding scholarships.

He advises students to take as “stringent” a curriculum in high school as they can handle. He says that extracurricular activities and volunteer work are important as well as seeking out student leadership positions.

After 30 years in the teaching profession - 25 of those years as a counselor - Wood doesn’t give up easily for his kids. If students have the will, he says, the staff at Post Falls High School will find a way to help them.

Says Harvard-bound Caughran, “Even though Post Falls might not have the best facilities or text books, I have had high quality teachers and counselors dedicated to student success.”

In other school district news

On Tuesday Post Falls High School will have the Senior Class Mock Car Crash to illustrate the effects of drinking and driving.

A parent advisory meeting will be held Thursday at Post Falls Middle School. Call 773-7554 for more information.

New Vision Alternative School has an open house on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The greenhouse plant sale will continue until all plants are sold. Call 773-3541 for information.

The Post Falls KinderCenter will host the “Kids Care” program on May 17 and 18.

Pete Marion of the Post Falls police and a representative from the American Legion will meet with kindergarten students to provide photo identification and registration information. Call 777-0479 if you have questions.

The school trustee election will be held Tuesday, May 18 for zones 4 and 5. Call the District Office at 773-1658 for zone boundary information.

On May 19, Post Falls High School will give out Academic Awards at 8:30 a.m. The Senior Talent Show will be held May 20 at 7 p.m. Call 773-0581 for details.

Ponderosa Elementary School

Special Choir performs Tuesday at 7 p.m. for family and friends in the gym.

The annual Ponderosa P.T.O. carnival, “Space Adventures,” 5 to 8 p.m.

On May 17, auditions begin for Post Falls students grades 1 through 12 for the Missoula Children’s Theater production of “Wizard of Oz.” Auditions are at 3:30 p.m.

On May 22, students perform “Wizard of Oz” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the gym. Admission is $5.

Career path choices The career paths students choose from include the following: Arts and communications Business and management Health services Human resources Industrial and engineering Natural resources