their junior or senior year. Not only do they gain experience in entry-level marketing, but the position also functions as a credited internship—they’re on the payroll and responsible for opening, closing, training, and inventory.” The program’s success has earned recognition on a global stage through DECA, which serves over 297,000 members worldwide. “We compete at our district level, we go to our state level, and then we’ve been fortunate for the last 20 years or so to qualify for the international level,” Smessaert notes.“We’ve placed first at internationals twice in the last few years. We’ve had a 3rd place run and top 10 just this last year.” COLLEGE PATHWAYS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Rising college costs and student debt concerns have prompted many districts to explore dual enrollment programs that allow students to earn credits while completing high school. Slinger has developed comprehensive partnerships that save families substantial money while providing genuine collegelevel instruction on campus. “We primarily partner with Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh,” Brooks explains. “Last year, 242 students earned 666 credits through Moraine Park, saving families over $100,000 in tuition.” These savings provide meaningful financial relief in a district where college attendance rates surpass state averages. The partnership with UW–Oshkosh operates seamlessly through a unique and effective arrangement. “Several of our high school teachers are certified as adjunct professors through the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh,” Brooks explains. “This allows them to offer UW–Oshkosh courses right on our campus, providing students with the opportunity to earn transcripted college credit at a reduced tuition rate.” Post-graduation outcomes mirror the district’s dual focus on college and career preparation. “About 65% of our high school students go on to a fouryear college, 15% to a two-year college, and then the remaining are going into military or workforce apprenticeship,” Brooks states.The distribution aligns with national trends of diversified post-secondary pathways rather than universal four-year college expectations. INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP School construction projects nationwide often strain community budgets and test taxpayer patience, yet successful districts demonstrate that strategic facility investments can enhance educational outcomes 335 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 SLINGER SCHOOL DISTRICT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx