Navigating the Future: How GPS Prepares Students for Life After High School
Navigating the Future: How GPS Prepares Students for Life After High School
Tristan Chavez
At Gilbert Public Schools, preparing students for college and careers is a coordinated effort that happens every day in high schools across the district. From academic counseling to tracking progress towards graduation with ‘GradTracker’, district and school staff work alongside students and parents to ensure all students can graduate with the skills, knowledge, qualifications and opportunities they need to succeed, whether they choose college, trade school, enlistment, or the workforce.
GPS offers a variety of resources and events to high school students, each designed to guide them toward their next step. From the moment students set foot on a GPS high school campus, staff work to ensure they are on the right path for success. One tool used to ensure students succeed is GradTracker. GradTracker is an interactive tool integrated within Infinite Campus that provides real-time academic checks for individual students. Replacing manual paper checks, GradTracker instantly shows students exactly what courses they need to graduate on time. This tool also tracks weighted and unweighted GPAs, class ranks, and state exams, helping counselors stay proactive in supporting students’ journeys towards graduation and their college or career plans, post-graduation.
Outside of GradTracker, the annual district College & Career Fair brings dozens of colleges, universities, and ready-to-hire organizations in one place, so students can explore their options and ask questions. FAFSA nights are held frequently and are open to all students across the district, giving students and families dedicated time to navigate the financial aid process. Field trips and classroom visits from professionals also help connect students to industries in real-world settings, including STEM expos, healthcare facilities, and local businesses. Meanwhile, high school students also have the opportunity to earn college credits with dual enrollment.
“We want every student to be prepared for what comes after graduation - no matter what they choose to do,” said Renita Miller, the GPS Program & Workforce Development Coordinator. “At the end of the day, it's about how we can best serve our students so they can succeed both while they're in school and when they graduate.”
Staff members work closely with students to identify colleges, careers, and pathways that align with their interests and goals. Through classroom visits, individual counseling sessions, and career assessments, students receive personalized guidance. “We have a database that tracks students’ interests, whether it’s a local college, an out-of-state university, the military, or something else. That helps us connect them with opportunities that really matter to them,” added Barb Dwyer, the College & Career Liaison at Highland High.
Scholarships play a big role in helping students prepare for post-secondary education. Counselors guide students through databases and application processes, helping them find scholarships that fit their interests, fields of study, or financial need. High school staff also provide structured guidance on managing deadlines, completing applications, and understanding financial aid so students and families feel supported throughout the process. For example, college and career liaisons support students in completing the FAFSA, an application that is required to receive any scholarship for post-secondary education.
To best support students, the district and each of its high schools all work collaboratively. High schools share best practices and resources with each other, ensuring students benefit from collective expertise across campuses. District-level initiatives connect students with industry professionals and community partners, from career panels and mentorships to job shadowing opportunities. “It’s really a collective effort between the student, teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff, all helping the student find their path and supporting them every step of the way,” added Renita Miller.
Another program designed to support students for life after high school is Thrive, which offers high school students access to online resources for college and career preparation by providing them with actionable steps for each grade level during every quarter of the school year. Resources include a district scholarship database, calendars for college & career events, volunteer opportunities, financial aid support, support for college applications, information on college athletics, and more, all available in the Thrive section of the Gilbert Public Schools website. The content and resources on Thrive are regularly updated by school counselors and college and career experts to ensure students and families have access to the information they need to make the most out of their high school experience.
For GPS, the primary focus remains on student success. Many college and career resources are available to GPS high school students, from their freshman year to graduation, at GilbertSchools.net/Thrive.