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Students stepping up to college challenge
Originally posted October 25, 2011
Students are stepping up to Union Public Schools’ renewed challenge to be prepared for college and long-lasting, successful careers after graduation. The efforts begin as early as birth with Union’s Parents as Teachers program and continue through adulthood.
Nowhere is the eagerness for attending college more apparent than at the High School with 818 students enrolled in 1,787 Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-AP courses. In addition, 215 students are taking 302 classes through the EXCELerate program which allows them to earn college credit while still attending High School.
“The number of students taking advantage of AP or concurrent enrollment through EXCELerate opportunities is a clear indicator that Union students not only embrace a challenging curriculum but understand the need to prepare for college early in order to be successful in a collegiate academic environment,” 12th Grade Class Principal Gart Morris said.
11th Grade Principal Lisa Witcher is in full agreement.
“Union families continue to send us the very best young adults with whom to work,” Witcher said. “We are honored by their accomplishments and by the dedication of our teachers to continue challenging students. In addition to being academically driven, our students are kind and service-oriented. We administered 298 PSAT tests to some of our best and brightest today, and afterwards, a young man graciously offered to carry a heavy box of materials for me. He was on his lunch period. These accomplishments and the character of our students make Union the very best High School.” Learn about test-taking strategies
In addition to the new College and Career office at the High School under the director of Coordinator Christi Johnson, all Union schools are emphasizing the importance of college. At the elementary level, students and teachers wear their favorite college team shirts. Teachers also talk to students about college and host career days in which people from different occupations visit with them and stress the importance of a good education – which includes college.
Recently, State Rep. Dan Kirby (R-Tulsa) toured the Early Childhood Education Center where teachers and representatives from the George Kaiser Family Foundation stressed that early education is the most effective way to combat poverty and widen the appeal for education in later life. U.S. Congressman John Sullivan (R-Ok) also toured Clark Elementary School to learn how Clark has become a national model that brings partners from the community to encourage lifelong learning.
Meanwhile, middle school students are participating in a new program which educators believe will encourage higher college attendance, and Union’s Adult Education program has expanded to cover all of Tulsa County to help students recover high school credits they can use to attend college or enter more successful careers. Union is even offering virtual courses online for students.
Union Public Schools believes this comprehensive approach will ensure that all students will be successful and ready to attend college and launch meaningful careers.
See our new College and Career section on the Union website, as well as the new College Planning Guide.
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