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Students, staff highlight college-tour program supported by College Success Foundation grant
Summary
Board heard a presentation on an ongoing college-campus tour program that staff say has helped students envision postsecondary pathways; speakers cited grant funding and alumni support and presented early enrollment and retention tracking plans.
Board members and staff presented a multi-year college-tour program for Forks High students and described measurable outcomes and funding sources.
Cheryl Archibald (presenter) described the district's third year of taking students to university preview days and said alumni and campus advisers have become a continuing support system. Student speakers said the visits were transformative: one student said the trip clarified career goals and led to acceptance at Western Washington University.
The board discussed funding and follow-up supports. A board member summarized the grant support: "The first year was, like, $25,000. Year 2 was $11,000. Year 3 is $11,000, and now they extended the 4th year for $11,000," and presenters said the College Success/College First Foundation will provide adviser check-ins for some students. Presenters said they plan to track post-high-school enrollment and retention for cohorts from 2024–2026 to demonstrate impact and make a case for continued funding.
Students described logistics and recruitment (two vans, capacity about 16 per trip, offered to juniors and seniors in the fall, sophomores for spring trips) and alumni involvement in mentoring. Zoe Garcia, who said she benefited from multiple campus visits and scholarship work, told the board, "That changed during my junior year... I was always afraid that college wouldn't be financially possible for me," crediting the tours and school support with changing that perception.
Board members thanked volunteers and staff and noted plans for a June 5 signing day to recognize students' postsecondary plans.
