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District expands college-and-career hub, CCR pathways and college-prep services
Summary
Officials described a growing College & Career Center, expanded CCR course offerings, dual/college credit availability, internships and a new ‘career adventure’ outreach van; counselors also summarized testing and college-application supports for students and families.
Mercer Island School District staff told the board they have significantly expanded College and Career Readiness (CCR) course offerings, support services and outreach to connect students with postsecondary and career options.
Jen McClellan gave a high-level overview of the CCR program and said CCR now offers 66 courses with 31 teachers across the district, spanning all six CTE/CCR pathways. McClellan and other presenters said students can pursue sequential courses up to advanced levels, and that many CCR classes are articulated for college credit through partner colleges (Bellevue College and others). Staff said the district offers roughly 85 college credits that students can earn through course articulation if they meet grade requirements.
Christy Kenyon described the College & Career Center at the high school — a staffed resource with appointment and drop-in support, a “lunch-and-learn” series, college-visit calendars, and a growing web portal that includes scholarship lists, internship and job boards, and other resources. Kenyon said the center will add student interns next year to help with marketing, database work and the website.
Presenters described outreach and experiential learning: the district’s “career adventure” van visited about a dozen employer and training sites this year, and CCR teachers and teams took students to industry sites, Seattle Central College, the Allen Institute, and regional skills fairs. Staff emphasized the real-world, hands-on nature of many classes and said those experiences build practical skills and confidence.
Board members and student representatives praised the breadth of offerings and said the work increases equitable access to career and college pathways, reduces need for private counselors, and lets students “fail safely” in applied settings. Students described better marketing and information channels — short videos, course “sizzle reels” and in-school outreach — as helpful to bring new students into courses they might otherwise not find.
The presentation included testing and admissions supports. Staff summarized AP testing volume (the district administered far more AP exams than a decade ago and reported high pass rates), college-application workshops, and a student survey showing interest in school-hosted SAT administrations. Staff noted that the College Board’s Saturday administration model does not guarantee local seats for the district, leading staff to recommend consideration of school-day administrations, regional partnerships or other operational options. The district also offers PSAT, ASVAB, state assessments and AP exams and provides counseling and after-school application support.
Board members asked for a clearer, parent-facing roadmap (what to do in each grade) and for more promotion of college credit possibilities. Staff said they will publish and promote a grade-by-grade checklist in the new SchoolLinks system and continue work on the College & Career web portal.
