New SCOPE Center To Help Hillsborough Students Prepare For Future

TAMPA, FL — For 16- or 17-year-old high school seniors, the future can seem murky and, frankly, intimidating, especially as the new year approaches and they're faced with deadlines for college or technical school applications, student aid and scholarships.

But a new college and career center for Hillsborough County students hopes to clear the path for students, making it easier for them to make decisions in the coming year as graduation approaches.

The Hillsborough Education Foundation announced the launch of a new college and career readiness center at King High School, thanks to funding from Gopher Resource and United Way Suncoast.

The financial support will allow HEF to provide high school students with one-on-one college and career planning and help with admissions and financial aid applications as well as career, technical and workforce pathways.

King High School students voted to call the new initiative SCOPE: Student Center of Postsecondary Education.

By incorporating a proven model of a successful high school college and career center, Hillsborough Education Foundation CEO Kim Jowell believes the team will be able to make an even bigger impact in helping students develop post-graduation plans and achieve success.

“We are grateful for this funding to help continue to build the Tampa Bay community and develop tomorrow’s workforce,” said Jowell. “Recognizing and removing barriers in college and career navigation ensures all students in the county have access to achieving postsecondary success. The expansion of our college and career centers will help meet a vital need in our community and provide teens with one-on-one counseling and support. The results will increase economic mobility for low-income students and ensure Tampa Bay continues to be one of the greatest places to live and work.”

Brian Leen is president and CEO of Gopher Resource, a national environmental solutions provider. He described the motivation behind the company’s involvement.

“We wanted to continue to make a significant and positive impact in our community," he said. "Education is a great way to do that, and we were very impressed by what HEF was doing to help students prepare for life after high school.”

In addition to financial support, the company, which employs more than 250 people in Tampa, will periodically provide employee volunteers who will be trained to assist at the center.

"Community partners are a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to preparing our future workforce. Through concentrated support, our students and families can better navigate postsecondary options while exploring methods for paying for college," said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis. "We deeply appreciate this community support to ensure students have the foundation they need to plan for success after high school, whether that path is enrolling at a university, entering the workforce or serving in our military."

HEF staff and center volunteers will also help students and parents complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. Every year, Florida high school students miss out on more than $300 million in grants. Research shows 90 percent of students who complete FAFSA enroll in college after high school, compared to 55 percent who do not complete the application.

In the first year, the new school-based program hopes to:

• Impact more than 300 students.
• Increase completed FAFSA applications at the school by 5 percent.
• Show that 85 percent of the students served demonstrate progress in career readiness and postsecondary planning.

“Our diverse student population will greatly benefit from this college and career center. To have a designated space, resources and support to help identify possible college and career pathways after graduation will be a game changer for many students,” said King High School Principal Arlene Castelli. “Researching and accessing this information can be daunting for families, so this removes barriers and opens a world of possibilities. This new center will not only help students with their aspirations after high school but will have an immense impact on our community for years to come.”

Reports show students develop a career plan as early as ninth grade, but many lack a supportive adult to provide guidance. And the ability of high school counselors to assist students with college planning and address the mental health needs of all students is impeded by heavy caseloads. HEF hopes SCOPE will serve as a model to be replicated in more Hillsborough County Public Schools in partnership with the district and additional donors.

Established in 1987, Hillsborough Education Foundation is a nonprofit focused on strengthening public education by supporting teachers and empowering students.

The SCOPE Center is located at King High School, 6815 N 56th St., Tampa.