More than 70% of ’18 San Luis High graduates pursuing higher education
Recent data shows that more than 70 percent of San Luis High School’s graduating class of 2018 is enrolled in a postsecondary education institute.
A news release from Yuma Union High School District shows that according to data from the school’s guidance department, SLHS had 560 graduates for the 2017-18 school year, including summer school athletes, which was the largest class in YUHSD.
Officials with YUHSD say that 395 of those students will attend a college, university or vocational school.
“Last year’s graduating class is a perfect example of our overall commitment to college and career readiness at San Luis High School,” said SLHS Principal Tammy Ray in a statement. “We would be remiss to not mention that this was our ‘GEAR UP’ cohort and we would like to, moving forward, replicate what we did working with that partner. They were a great beacon for helping students reach their educational goals after high school.”
According to the release, GEAR UP, or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a discretionary grant program through the U.S. Department of Education designed to increase the number of lowincome students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
“GEAR UP provides sixyear grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools,” the release states. “GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.”
From the 2018 SLHS class, Arizona Western College received 306 students, Arizona State University received 49 and the University of Arizona received 21. YUHSD officials say that in addition to the aforementioned 395 students, seven students enlisted in the Marine Corps, four enlisted in the Army and one enlisted in the Coast Guard.
The news release shows other colleges and universities in which former SLHS students are enrolled for 2018-19 include: Johns Hopkins University, Northern Arizona University and San Diego State University.
Additionally, SLHS students were awarded $7,908,726 in financial aid.