The decision of a future path, whether it is educational, employment, or enlistment, can weigh heavily on high school students’ minds. Boonville Schools are aware of the challenges Boonville High School and Boonslick Technical Education Center (BTEC) students face while planning their futures. Understanding this need, the district identified the opportunity to apply for the Missouri Postsecondary Advising Initiative (MPAI). DESE announced Boonville was selected as one of the first 40 school districts to receive the grant. Selection was based on school and community need, COVID impact in the community, and geography.
The MPAI program, a partnership between the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and philanthropic organization rootEd Alliance, is designed to ensure all high school students, particularly those in rural communities, have an advisor exclusively focused on helping them achieve success following graduation. The program, supported by federal COVID relief funding, will award up to 135 grants to eligible schools over three years. (Missouri DESE, 2021)
MPAI will allow Boonville Schools to hire and place a dedicated college and career advisor in the high school to support students’ postsecondary pursuits by:
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Developing and implementing individualized plans for postsecondary education and training;
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Identifying opportunities to secure financial aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
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Supporting students as they work to enroll in college, earn a workplace credential, and/or enlist in the armed services; and
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Coaching students through the transition from high school to lifelong success.
"Our emerging partnership with RootEd will enhance opportunities for post-secondary guidance for each of our students in the Boonville School District,” remarked BHS Principal Kenya Fuemmeler. “This state-funded collaboration directly meets our mission to ensure our students are competent workers and contributing citizens."
Immediately after Boonville High School and BTEC were notified of their selection, Boonville school administrators Carri Risner (BTEC Director) and Kenya Fuemmeler (Boonville HIgh School Principal) set the wheels in motion. Following the selection and training process of the correct candidate, post-secondary advising will be available for seniors in the 2022-2023 school year.
“I am incredibly excited to partner with the rootED Alliance so that our Boonville High School students will have individualized college and career support through this grant opportunity. This is an enormous benefit to our students as they navigate their post-secondary options,” said BTEC Director Carri Risner.