PROJECT LAUNCH

College Gurus: Each student is matched with their own “College Guru” mentor. Gurus are past DISHS graduates who have had post-secondary success.
 

One-to-One Support: Individual attention for parents and students to find solutions to challenges to challenges encountered before and during college and workforce transition. 
 

Regular Student Support Sessions: Weekly sessions for high school seniors to help with college and scholarship applications. FASFA forms and college selection.
 

Social Events: “Empty Nest” parent dinners, Movie & Pizza night, Annual family picnic, and an End-of-Year Student & Guru Activities. The events bring local students back together during college breaks, give Gurus an opportunity to learn from one another as they support younger students and foster important connections between parents. 
 

“We’ve Got Your Back”: At the end of the school year, all college-bound seniors are gifted with a hoodie from their chosen college. This helps build excitement and ownership about their colleges and the next steps in their educational pursuits.
 

Graduates Panel: Twice a year, past DISHS graduates are invited back to the high school for a special pizza lunch with current seniors. This is a fun event that gives graduates the opportunity to share their experiences and allows seniors to ask questions. 
 

Family College Campus Trips: In September 2019, we began to offer family college trips. The purpose of the family college trips is to introduce parents to college life, de-mystify the college experience, and facilitates connections with both college staff and other parents. 
 

Workforce Efforts: Our formal program model was unveiled in Fall 2021 and students officially entered the program at that time.