Pictured: Bright Futures completion day at North Port High School Student Success Center.

The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) recently awarded Education Foundation of Sarasota County $90,252.82 in matching funds through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.  This Consortium grant supports the Education Foundation’s project titled “Inspiring Success with College, Career, Life Readiness.” This project supports Sarasota County Schools students grade 6 – 12 during the 2021 – 2022 school year. The Education Foundation is committed to instilling a college, career, life readiness mindset in students and to supporting students as they develop a plan for life after high school.

In middle school, students access college- and career-planning software that helps them identify their strengths and interests and map both to possible careers. In high school, students can access Education Foundation Student Success Centers at four area high schools and at a standalone resource center in downtown Sarasota, where they work one-on-one with expert College Career Advisors to identify purpose and pathways and ultimately formulate a plan. At these Student Success Centers, students can access workshops, open houses, college and career fairs, and other valuable resources that help at every step of the college and career search process. Students can also access software to manage college applications and search for potential careers. This grant also supports mentoring for those students who need extra support in the process of applying for education after high school. The Education Foundation supports students and helps instill a mindset of readiness so that young people find their purpose. When students find purpose, they aremore likely to progress intentionally through high school. They are more likely to live fulfilling, successful lives. These efforts help ensure a thriving community and state. They align with the Florida legislature’s Sail to 60 initiative, which seeks to ensure that 60% of working-age Floridians obtain a high-value postsecondary certificate, degree, or training experience by 2030.

Pictured: Bright Futures completion day at North Port High School Student Success Center.

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