Schools
Avondale students pave their road to the future
Avondale Academy provides information and support for students dreaming of college
In the Avondale School District the road to the future begins with information. For students in the District’s alternative high school, Avondale Academy, decoding that information begins in the Fall and continues throughout the school year. Encouraging students to participate in events including Michigan College Application Week in November and Financial Aid Information Night in January demonstrates the commitment the Academy staff feels toward the students and their futures.
During College Application Week students have the chance to create their own transcript accounts, request a FAFSA PIN and apply to colleges.
Financial Aid Information Night, a joint venture with Oakland University and the Auburn Hills United College Access Network (AHUCAN), provides opportunity for students and their families to get information including tips on completing the FASFA. This year, Oakland University Senior Financial Aid Outreach Advisor, Carrie Gilchrist was on hand to review the FAFSA process step-by-step and answer questions from students and their families. In addition, Gilchrist provided information about college funding options including scholarships, grants and loans.
Student Caitlyn Baker attended the information night with her mother and learned that “everything starts with the FAFSA”. “It’s a long process and you have to start early if you want to have a chance to get scholarships and grants,” Caitlyn said. “I’m a little overwhelmed by the paperwork but my mom and my teachers are supportive, even writing letters of recommendation for me.”
Academy Counselor, Amanda Gohl helped coordinate the information night because she knows it’s important to share information about post high school educational opportunities with all students. “We always want to make sure that nontraditional learners have access to the same college application materials as traditional students. Just because a student may have struggled in a traditional high school setting doesn’t mean they don’t have dreams of continuing their education. A regular high school experience isn’t always for everyone. Some students need a smaller setting, less distractions or more one-on-one instruction time with a teacher. Whatever their learning style is during their K-12 years, it’s important to remember that those struggles don’t preclude them from being life-long learners.”
Principal Kelly MacDonald agrees and supports efforts like the information nights, “all high school students, traditional and nontraditional, need information to make choices for their life after graduation.”
Caitlyn’s choice is to pursue a course of study in physical therapy. She has been accepted at Schoolcraft College and plans to use what she learned at the financial aid information night to move her plans forward. “It was a great way to learn how to make my dream of going to college a reality.”
