For any high school juniors and seniors, the idea of post-graduation looms. For more non-traditional students, it only seems that much more daunting.
That’s why schools like Aim High School in Farmington Hills offer special classes and programs designed to help students prepare for the next level.
Head of School Mike Earls works exclusively with seniors two hours every day to work on things like goal setting, perseverance, mindset and other crucial skills students need during and after graduation.
Additionally, students can get help with college applications, essays and even setting up college visits during this time and throughout their senior year with valuable help from teachers.
They also work on career cruising in an app, interest inventories and personality tests so they can explore many different career paths. Guest speakers are also scheduled during senior seminars throughout the year.
“Not everybody’s going to leave high school, go to college and decide they’re going to be a nurse or whatever and stick to that,” Earls explains. “So we try to expose kids to as many options as we can in trades, sales, and just, in general, we try to give our kids as much information as we can to get them to start thinking about what they’re going to do after they graduate.”
Year-round planning for post graduation
Earls typically begins working with not just seniors, but their families, in September to outline what their goals and objectives are for their child, so Aim High is able to make sure they’re guiding students in a direction the parents are comfortable with.
The staff then helps seniors put together a post-graduation plan typically in October — that plan can be modified over time, but it at least gives students something concrete to work with.
“I’ve found that really helps alleviate some of the senior anxiety about what the next step is,” Earls explains.
In the last few years, students have had the opportunity to work with the Detroit Economic Club’s Career Readiness Academy, where volunteers from businesses and industries come to the school and mentor students on how to market themselves, work on interview skills and resume writing.
Through the program, students also have opportunities to visit job fairs and off-site job training.
“They’re able to realize the outside world is not that scary — if you present yourself the right way, most of the time people will present themselves the right way to you,” Earls says. “It’s a great learning environment, and it really helps build confidence.”
Earls’ goal with all of this planning?
“I want them to feel like Aim High is too small for them now and they are ready to pursue their future in the greater world.”
- How do small classrooms and sensory-friendly rooms benefit non-traditional students?
- How do extracurricular activities and electives help build confidence and skills for non-traditional students?
This content is sponsored by Aim High School. Discover more at the school’s website.
