Dear Team DPS,
One of the best things about this time of year is hearing the good news that our students share, especially with our seniors who are making decisions about their next steps. I’ve been inspired to hear about all of the college acceptances and the scholarships our students have earned, as well as the internships and jobs that our students are getting ready for. For many of our students, these successes wouldn’t happen without our dedicated educators who are unrelenting in their drive to help kids overcome barriers – including for the kids who may not think college is even an option.
In DPS, we’re committed to building a culture that embraces the unique identity and potential of every child. Our school counselors work hard to meet with students and families and guide them through both school and their plans after they cross the graduation stage. Applying for college can feel overwhelming for any young person. For those who face barriers, such as limited family income or undocumented immigration status, the prospect of planning for the future can seem daunting, and college can feel out of reach.
With the support of our counselors and teachers, our students’ futures are full of opportunities and hope. We encourage our students to talk to their school counselors, teachers and family about their college and career goals so that, together, we can find the best way to reach them.
DPS offers free college in high school through programs like
Concurrent Enrollment
,
Early College
and
ASCENT
.
West Early College
senior Eliseo Vigil is one example of many students who were able to find a brighter future through these opportunities. He worked an impressive three different internships during his high school years through our CareerConnect program – and has now landed a full-ride scholarship to Tufts University next fall!
Last year alone, DPS students earned 54,000 college credits while enrolled in high school. This is equivalent to more than $8.7 million in savings for DPS students and families. Taking free college in high school benefits all students, especially first-generation college students who may not have had this opportunity otherwise.
As one student shared: “I’m a DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] student, and this has made education a possibility for me. Discovering what it’s like in the medical field made me realize I could make this happen, and now I’m graduating as a certified nursing assistant.”
Our message to our students needs to be
“Never give up on a brighter future, no matter your circumstances."
The entire DPS community is here to support you in reaching your dreams and finding the right path to your success. For more information about our college and career programs and how we can support your children, click
here
.
Warm Regards,
Susana
