Simley High School held its annual student-led Advanced Course Fair to prepare students for class registration. Students learned about Simley’s college and career course options from students who have already taken the class. 

Freshmen through juniors had the opportunity to browse dozens of booths focused on each advanced course and run by the class’s former students. They learned about the classes offered alongside universities like the University of Minnesota’s College in the Schools (CIS) options. Students who had taken different AP classes talked about their classroom experiences. Alumni from the TriDistrict Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program shared about their internships and what it was like to work alongside local professionals. Students who had taken technical classes, like Simley’s Emergency Medical Responder class, showed other students what they learned by demonstrating CPR and EMT techniques.

Simley is dedicated to providing opportunities that will challenge students and best prepare them for life after graduation. When administrators sought to increase participation in advanced courses, students said they would be more likely to take advantage of a college or career class if they heard about it from another student. The result was a student-led fair where kids could ask their peers the questions they had and understand their options from a student perspective.