There are 299 seniors at Spring Lake Park High School. As of April 15, 280 –that's all but 19—have been accepted by a college, applied to college, have another educational plan, or have enlisted in the military.   Nearly 94 percent of the senior class –so far—have been accepted in college or have their educational plans identified, and that percentage will go up.   This is one of the greatest sights you'll ever see if you enter the high school's rotunda, take a right, and head into the lower level of this academic wing.   On the hallway walls, under a banner reading "Look Who's Been Accepted to College," are certificates with congratulations from the school, the senior's name, and college where he or she has been accepted.   The certificates, four-deep, seem to go on forever.   Boston College. New York University. Vanderbilt University. Northwestern University. Arizona State University. The University of Minnesota, St. Olaf University. Gustavus University. Augsburg College. Hamline University. Bethel University. University of St. Thomas.   Art Institutes International. Dunwoody Institute. Minneapolis Business College. Aveda Institute. Le Cordon Bleu. Minneapolis College of Art and Design. U. S. Army. U.S. Marines.

High school students Samantha Delperdang and Achliem Lewis-Miles were among those checking out which students were on the wall of fame.

 

 

The goal of the wall of fame, a first for the school, is to celebrate everyone's accomplishment, serve as a reminder for seniors to let the counseling office know if they’ve not yet conveyed what college they've been accepted to, and to serve as an additional reminder and incentive to those who haven't yet applied to college.

 

Brooke Magid Hart is the counselor for the senior class. This year's seniors have been hers for four years. "I actually began talking to this group of current seniors in the spring of their 8th grade year," said Magid Hart, and they began hearing the word college, even back then."

 

"All four years they heard me, and heard others, talking about college," Magid Hart continued. "From the first day of high school, I told them to begin to prepare: to plan, to research, to take the right classes.

 

In large group settings, in classrooms, in meetings with the counselor, college prep was preached, all through their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. "Students were told that by the start of their senior year they should have a short list of colleges or other educational plans, which should be revisited and fine-tuned by the start of their senior year,” Magid Hart added.

 

By December 15, the number of seniors without a submitted college application was 115. The list of those without a known education plan following high school is now at 19, and the number is shrinking.

 

What were some of the ways the school utilized to motivate seniors to decide their educational choices and to act on them?

 

"After December 15, I systematically met with the 115 students to discuss progress, all school staff would wear college t-shirts and sweatshirts on Fridays, and we alert all teachers each week about which students are yet to complete their plan," said Magid Hart. "Everyone in the school is a part of this process. And now, with the number so small, I try to meet with them every week or two."

 

The Spring Lake Park School District's vision says "we will ensure that all students are valued, inspired, and have a sense of belonging in developing the academic, life, and career skills necessary to be college-ready and succeed in the 21st century."

 

A lofty goal? Perhaps. Is the goal attainable? With great student body and staff, and a continuing belief and commitment to the goal, yes.

 

For more information: Brooke Magid Hart  bhart@district16.org