The Path to Higher Ed: Improve Your College Readiness Program, Expand College Access and Send more of Your Students to College

In this episode, we speak with Karen Crowley, Director of College Counseling at Portledge School. She is able to use her extensive background working in college admissions to inform her perspective on counseling the students at Portledge. This episode dives into the importance of self-discovery on a student’s path to college. Listen in as Karen discusses the juxtaposition of “what I want” versus “who I am” when determining right fit colleges.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Timisha Barnes-Jones, Principal of West Charlotte High School. With a perspective that is informed from working on many different levels in the education system, Dr. Barnes-Jones has seen both the good and bad that can come along with technology implementation within education. Listen in as she details exactly which factors in technology do the most to engage and impact students.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Randy Bertin, Head of School at the Besant Hill School in Ojai, California. Dr. Bertin’s perspective is grounded in a progressive vision of education that pushes self-discovery while also preparing students for the college and career worlds. By constantly self-reflecting and iterating its program, Besant Hill School has recognized the need to shift away from job-specific preparation and toward developing broader skillsets.

In this episode, we speak with Rich Merlo, Superintendent of Corcoran Unified School District. Through a tech-forward school culture, Rich is determined to reach all of his learners through hands-on, differentiated instruction. His work at CUSD is demonstrating that sociodemographic status does not have to determine student outcomes.

In this episode, we speak with Don Gillingham, Executive Director of Rockford Lutheran School in Rockford, Illinois. Using a heart-driven approach to education, Don is concerned with providing the resources and nurturing environment that develops his students into lifelong learners. By combining this approach with a data-driven mindset, Rockford Lutheran is positioning its students to become global thinkers who will be ready to succeed in the shifting economy.

Today, we’re speaking with Billy Handmaker, Head of School at Bosque School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Using an inquiry-based curriculum, students at the Bosque School are able to choose the societal problems that they want to solve and actually build proposed solutions around them. This involves college-level research, research and thesis defense. By structuring the education experience to reflect real-world problem-solving, Bosque is helping its students engage in a process of self-discovery before determining right fit colleges and careers.

Today, we’re speaking with Anthony Saba, Head of School at Samueli Academy in Santa Ana, CA. At Samueli Academy, Anthony is integral to building a college-going culture within a historically underrepresented community. While Samueli reaches ALL kids, it’s targeted focus on reaching students in the foster care system is truly remarkable. SchooLinks is fortunate to have had an opportunity to pick Anthony’s brain about what it takes reach students.

Today, we’re speaking with Steve Beals, Principal of Alvirne High School in Hudson, New Hampshire. With 16 different college and career readiness programs, Alvirne High School students are exposed to a variety of different college and career paths. Recognizing that students need exposure to various options, including vocational training, Steve takes pride in ensuring that his students are given the resources to thrive in whatever college or career pathway they ultimately choose.

Today, we’re speaking with Jennifer DesMaisons, Director of College Counseling at The Putney School. At The Putney School, students are being developed into global citizens through a progressive education model. A big focus of their approach to progressive education is building college and career readiness through farm-based, experiential learning. In this episode, Jennifer details how her professional experiences in college admissions informs her approach with students at The Putney School.

Today, we’re speaking with Ryan Kelly, Head of School at Carrollwood Day School (CDS). At CDS, character education is a focal point for student growth in the college readiness process. In this episode, we discuss the importance of viewing students holistically, educating students about up-and-coming careers in STEM, and engaging students in self-discovery before determining “right fit” colleges and careers.

In this episode, we speak with Malcolm Gauld, President of the Hyde Schools. At the Hyde Schools, the focus is on attitude over aptitude and effort over ability. Under this “family-based character education” model, Malcolm is preparing students for both college and adulthood. Listen in as he shares his perspective on college counseling and readiness.

Today, we’re speaking with Dr. Wendy Weiner, Principal at the Conservatory Prep Senior High School. At Conservatory Prep, Dr. Weiner is building college and career readiness through hands-on, immersive PBL/STEAM learning. With a belief that students should go through self-discovery before choosing their majors and careers, Dr. Weiner’s perspective on this episode is both insightful and timely.

Today, we’re speaking with Dr. William Logan, Principal of Hillside High School. In this episode, he discusses his views on the “human aspect” of teaching. Through relationship-building and nurturing support under the guidance of Dr. Logan, Hillside High School has managed to become the high school with the higest graduation rate amongst traditional schools in Durham.

Today, we’re speaking with Jason Harris, Principal of Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Mississippi.  Jason ensures that students develop career readiness by the they graduate from Tupelo High. With an approach that seeks to arm its students with a variety of options, Jason has helped dramatically increase the school's graduation rate. Listen in as Jason details everything the school is doing ranging from dual-credit programs all the way to a culinary program.

Today, we’re speaking with Dr. Jamie Wilson, Superintendent of Denton ISD. Listen in as he describes what his district is doing to give its students the opportunities needed to develop professionally and personally. By engaging students in career and college readiness conversations at the 6th grade level, Denton ISD is able to create family investment in the college and career readiness process.