Preparing students for “life after high school”: AVID, SchooLinks, counseling services, guaranteed admissions, and more

We all remember being asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Before anyone can answer that question with confidence, they must know: how do you know what options are available for me in the world, and how can I be best prepared for a fulfilling path that suits my skills and interests?

Many programs in our schools help students with these questions before the questions, showing them both what options are out there in the world for education and career, as well as how to be best prepared for success in their chosen path. Keep reading for more about AVID, high school and beyond planning, our counseling teams and guaranteed admissions programs available for our students.

AVID

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a nationally recognized program that provides academic and social support for all students to ensure success in school, career, and college. The AVID system accelerates learning and uses research-based instructional strategies to build foundations for high school and post-secondary achievement.

In Bellingham, all middle and high schools offer AVID. Beginning in the 2024–25 school year, we also offer AVID: 9th Grade Success to support all 9^th grade students as they transition into high school.  A team of teachers from across the district collaborate on creating lesson plans and providing a common AVID experience for all frosh.

AVID connects directly to our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by helping students build the skills, confidence, and planning tools they need for their High School and Beyond Plan, post-secondary education, and future careers.

SchooLinks High School and Beyond Plan platform

Washington state has long had a High School and Beyond Plan requirement to earn a diploma. According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s High School and Beyond webpage, “The HSBP is designed to help students reflect on three guiding questions: Who am I? What can I become? And how do I become that?”

Big questions for sure, and the SchooLinks platform aims to support this learning and growth for each student in our state.

SchooLinks, funded by the state for the eventual use across all Washington school districts, provides a “one stop shop” for students, their families and our educators to explore interests, set goals, and guide decisions around course selection, graduation pathways and post-secondary planning.

Families of students in grades 7-12 will receive more information about SchooLinks, including how parents and guardians can use the parent portal and support their middle and high school students with goal setting, exploration and planning.

Guidance counselors and College and Career Readiness Coordinators

Our secondary schools have amazing teams who help serve and guide students. Our high schools also each have a special individual, known as the College and Career Readiness Coordinator, who supports students with specific questions around college and career readiness, including scheduling and hosting visits from colleges, posting job and scholarship opportunities, and working with students on applications for things like financial aid.

Visit each high school’s counseling webpage for more information. 

Guaranteed Admission Programs

Applying to and getting into a post-secondary education program can feel overwhelming. There are several resources available that guarantee admission for our students who meet certain requirements:

• Washington Guaranteed Admission Program (WAGAP). Many of our students are guaranteed admission to Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Eastern Washington University in Cheney, The Evergreen State College in Olympia, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University in Pullman and Western Washington University in Bellingham. Students must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA, be on track to graduate and have completed required credits in core academic subject areas. Visit WAGAP for more information.
• Western Guaranteed Admission (WEGAP). WWU’s newly-launched program is similar to WAGAP but focuses even more closely on serving students in Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish and Skagit counties. Similar to WAGAP, high school students from these counties with a 2.75 GPA or higher and who are on track to meet graduation requirements are guaranteed admission to WWU. Visit WEGAP for more information.
• Local community and technical colleges: Generally, students who have earned a BPS diploma will be admitted to Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College. Some specific programs may require additional prerequisites or qualifications.

We encourage all families and students to reach out to their counselor for support in navigating college applications, application fee waivers (if needed) and financial aid applications like FAFSA and WAFSA. Our experienced staff are here to help, both with high school now and what comes next.