Deer Isle-Stonington High School has been awarded two separate grants to expand and enhance college and career preparation for all of its students. The school received a $35,000 grant from the MELMAC Education Foundation to assist all students in connecting their career aspirations to a post-secondary plan and a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation to support the implementation of college and career “pathways,” including the Marine Studies Pathway and Eastern Maine Skippers Program. Both grants will help DISHS implement key strategies in its on-going School Improvement Action Plan to ensure that all graduates are prepared for post-secondary education and modern, fulfilling careers.

MELMAC's Connect Aspirations to a Plan grant seeks to help students achieve economic prosperity by broadening their aspirations and helping students connect their aspirations to a plan which leads to a successful transition from high school to college. College includes both 2- and 4-year programs as well as certificate programs and the military. The grant funds school initiatives which lead to the implementation of ten research-based “best practices” in post-secondary planning. The grant funds are available for four years, with a small local match required in years three and four.

The Maine Community Foundation approved a grant from the Cummings Fund and the Rural Grants Fund at the recommendation of the statewide committee fund advisors. The grant will support teachers, fishermen, researchers, higher education partners, and other marine professionals as they develop learning experiences in the Marine Studies Pathway and Eastern Maine Skippers Program which allow students to investigate the complex issues facing our coastal communities and ecosystems.

Students will gain a relevant, real-world understanding of our local natural habitats, economics, government, and history, while applying math skills to community problems, learning sophisticated new technologies, and writing extensively about what they are learning. Instead of learning only in the classroom, the Marine Studies Pathway blends rigorous academic study with the kinds of real-life experiences that make learning stick. Graduates of the Marine Studies Pathway will achieve the same state and national learning standards as other students— which means they will leave our high school prepared to succeed in college and whatever careers they may choose.

Once again, DISHS is grateful for the generous support of our entire community, especially organizations like the MELMAC Education Foundation and Maine Community Foundation. This additional financial support helps the school develop rigorous, relevant learning experiences so that all of our students can graduate ready to experience success in both college and careers.