Schools

Rio Seco Students Look Toward the Future

Elementary and junior high students are learning about college as part of Rio Seco School's "College in Your Future" program.

Although high schools usually prep students for college, Rio Seco School is giving its junior high and elementary school children a head start.  

This year, each of the school's 32 classrooms has adopted a college or university to represent them as part of 's "College in Your Future" program. Elementary school students learn about their "sponsor college" during their daily class and junior high students learn about their selected college during their morning homeroom period.

Teachers talk about the importance of college with their students and display college banners and the students' potential graduation year in their classrooms.

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"We just embed it in our conversations and what we're talking about," Principal Lisa McColl said. "We highlight those different universities so that it just becomes part of the natural conversation that all of our kids plan on going to college in the future."

The program is tailored to the varying school levels. All seventh- and eighth-graders will select a college to research and report to their class this school year. Younger students have created flags and banners. One second-grade class Skyped with a representative from their adopted university.

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"Because we're such a high-performing school, we're looking for ways to continue to increase those achievement levels for kids," McColl explained, "and something we've talked a lot about is how do we start those conversations around college early so that by the time kids are in high school, they've already got it in their head that it's just the progression of school."

Although the school's junior high classes have adopted colleges or universities before, this in the first year the program is implemented schoolwide.

The concept came about after McColl attended a professional development program at the University of San Diego last year. The speaker encouraged talking to young students about college.

Tiffani Brown, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade language arts, selected Arizona State University for her 30 homeroom students. Brown's students received ASU pennants, banners, magazines and informational brochures after she informed the university about 's program.

"It was my undergraduate school where I went to college and a school that I was really, really passionate about," said Brown, who also attended the professional development program at USD. "The fact that I was an alumni, I think, helped open the door to make such a strong connection between my kids and myself and the university."

Alicen Ostash's 34 fifth-grade students are learning about the University of California San Diego, Ostash's alma mater. UCSD memorabilia, including laminated pennants the students created, is displayed throughout the classroom so her students have a visual reminder of college everyday.

Ostash said her students are very enthusiastic about the program, especially when they get to shout UCSD's .

"They're very excited about it. They love it!" Ostash said. "For some of them, that discussion doesn't happen at home, so just to have a little exposure to it slowly, and not have it pushed and shoved down their throats, is kind of a fun way to get the idea of college in their brain."

The program has encouraged Ostash's students to consider their futures. 

Although she isn't yet sure which college she wants to attend, 10-year-old Cali already knows she wants to grow up to be a marine biologist.

"College is really important because you get a good education," she said. "It's a big part of someone's life."

Riley, who also wants to be a marine biologist, enjoys writing about college when Ostash has her students do "quick writes."

"College is a big responsibility and anybody can go if they want to," the 10-year-old said.

Quinn, who wants to be a pilot, is eager to choose a field of study that interests him.

"It gives me the chance to think about what I want to do when I grow up," said the 12-year-old. "I've learned that college is great, and if you go to it, you learn a lot more stuff."

, including Brown and Ostash, have been pleased to find their students so excited about the program. Many of the students have continued their classroom discussions at home.

"Our hope is that the culture changes in such a way that we can get the community and the parents to all be part of a cohesive unit encouraging these kids everyday and helping them understand what they can do to get to college," Brown said.

"I would like for them to ultimately know that college is an option for everyone no matter what," Ostash said.

Because the program has been so successful, the school plans to continue it next year. McColl would like to implement the program in the school's Spirit Days and Student of the Month assemblies. She also hopes to have Parent Nights and field trips to local universities.

"College is an option for everybody," McColl said. "It doesn't matter where you are or what your financial situation is. If you aspire to it, and you start setting your goals early, it's definitely an option for you."


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