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Palouse Pathways

Program Description

Palouse Pathways provides college and career information and inspirationto families in the inland northwest region called the Palouse (which is made up of towns and rural areas on the Idaho Washington border). We support local schools and empower local families by informing them about the range of post-secondary options available and how to best prepare for them. We provide one-on-one support and free group activities, which include college exploration classes, essay brainstorming workshops and honors college fairs. We work with local high schools to offer low-cost SAT prep classes. We continie to support students after acceptance and matriculation. We provide information and resources to our families via our web page, facebook group, blog and email newsletter. Palouse Pathways, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that was formed in November 2013. It grew from efforts of teachers, parents and community members who wanted to assist and encourage families and students preparing for life beyond high school. The mission of Palouse Pathways is the advancement of educational and career opportunities and the provision of educational and career preparation, information and resources.

Success Stories

Students we have assisted with essays and applications have secured admission to top schools (Stanford, MIT, UNC) and top scholarships. Last year we supported a first generation student (parents from China) who won a coca cola scholarship and Robertson scholarship to Duke/UNC. We've continued to support and encourage him while he is away at school. We've also supported students looking for affordable schools in our region, and find scholarships. One low income student from the class of 2016 was thrilled to receive a full-ride leadership scholarship from Montana State University. We helped him through the admission process and helped him prepare for the interview.

Best Practices Library

We have no professional SAT or ACT prep in 100 miles. We set up a "sustainable" SAT Prep program at our local high school. We hired to teachers (they teach junior english and math) and payed them $300 each to prepare a SAT Prep course for local students. They did one session eight weeks out for students wanting to use Khan academy to prepare, and two more sessions two weeks before the exam. Palouse Pathways advertised and colleged money. Classes were $15 each (with scholarships for anyone who asked) and about 90 local students attended one or more session. The teachers will receive a total of about $1000 each and we will recover our $600 investment. And the teachers can teach other classes over the summer or fall. I am going to suggest this arrangement to other local schools in our area with 150 plus in each class, I think it will pay for itself and help build up local resources.

Services Provided

  • Career exploration and counseling/internships
  • College admissions guidance and counseling
  • College fairs/campus visits
  • College transition and retention support
  • Financial aid advising/FAFSA completion
  • Mentoring
  • SAT/ACT and other test preparation
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Demographics

Race & Ethnicity

  • American Indian or Native Alaskan: 3%
  • White: 81%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander: 3%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 10%
  • African American: 3%

Education Level and
Number of Students

  • High School: 375
  • Middle School: 25
  • Elementary School: 0
  • Post-secondary: 5
  • Non-traditional: 0

Populations Served

  • Academically High-performing
  • ESL Students

First-Generation

  • Less than 25%

Representative
Colleges Attended
by Alumni

  • Linfield College-McMinnville Campus (3)
  • Seattle University (4)
  • Stanford University (2)
  • The Ohio State University (1)
  • University of Idaho (25)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1)
  • University of Puget Sound (5)
  • Washington State University (20)
  • Western Washington University (6)
  • Willamette University (4)

Matriculation & Completion

  • 4-yr College Matriculation: 80%