IHS career center reports nearly 2,000 college applications, pilots career-readiness credential

Leavon Bucharelli, the district staff member leading the IHS career center, presented a year-in-review at the May 7 meeting, listing quantitative outcomes and program innovations designed to expand college and career readiness.

Bucharelli said the career center processed roughly 1,934 college applications this year, hosted about 88 in-school college visits and four college fairs, ran five instant-decision days resulting in 25 students receiving acceptances at school, and helped secure at least 160 scholarships for students. He added the center logged roughly 1,300 individual student appointments, issued about 450 work permits, enrolled 67 students in New York State general-education work experience for credit, and grew community employer partnerships (about 65 employers).

The center piloted the ACT WorkKeys career-readiness assessment, which Bucharelli described as a three-part test (applied math, graphic literacy, workplace documents) that provides industry-recognized career-readiness levels; all four pilot students passed at bronze–platinum levels. The center also expanded internships (four student internships across district offices) and hosted industry-specific fairs (a diversity in healthcare panel during Black History Month).

Board members praised the work and asked about student financial literacy and whether student positions (e.g., lunchroom monitors) count toward retirement/system eligibility; Bucharelli and administrators said financial literacy is taught in district courses and that student employment may create opportunities for continued employment or experience but noted constraints based on employment rules.