The new College and Career Access Program at Jefferson High School is expanding opportunities for students as they prepare for life after graduation. Launched this fall in partnership with the Promising Futures Fund, the program is designed to help students and families explore a wide range of postsecondary pathways, including four-year universities, tech schools, military services, and right-to-the workforce options. By pairing dedicated advisors with Jefferson's existing counseling staff, the program provides individualized support to ensure every student feel empowered and prepared to take their next step.
This is a pilot program made to focus on students who might face barriers to continuing their education. Advisors work closely with student through one-on-one meetings, classroom presentations, evening sessions with families,scholarships searches, job shadows, campus visits, and more! Early feedback is showing that a personalised approach is making a meaningful impact. Students are discovering new possibilities and realising that their dreams are well within reach.
The program also strengthens the school's broader counseling efforts by adding capacity and ensuring students have support at each stage of their planning. Staff and community partners say this collaboration allows students to focus on their immediate academic needs while keeping sight of long-term goals.
As the pilot continues, early successes have generated strong interest in expanding the program to all four Sioux Falls high schools. Promising Futures is actively fundraising to support additional advisors and build a sustainable model. Leaders hope the work underway at JHS will continue to change lives, strengthen the region's future workforce, and ensure every student sees a bright and attainable future. Learn more about the program in a recent episode of our Podcast! This episode features Jessica Carlson, director of the program, along with Steve Hildebrand from Promising Futures, and Holly Sivesind, the counseling department chair at JHS.
