Manson School District is proud to be a participant in the Gates Foundation’s Limitless Learning Grant, a multi-year initiative designed to ensure students are prepared not only to graduate high school, but to successfully transition into college, technical training, military service, or the workforce.
This grant strengthens the connection between high school and post-high school systems by supporting coordinated planning, shared expectations, and ongoing collaboration with regional partners. For Manson students and families, it means clearer pathways, stronger preparation, and continued support during the critical transition after graduation.
At Manson, the work builds on our already strong PHS Prep and Career Choices 9–12 sequence, which provides age-appropriate, progressive preparation for life after high school:
· 9th Grade – Job Readiness: Students learn essential workplace skills such as résumé writing, job applications, interview techniques, and professional communication, culminating in a mock interview experience.
· 10th Grade – Financial Readiness: Students develop foundational money-management skills, including budgeting, credit, and long-term financial planning.
· 11th Grade – Post-High School Planning: Juniors focus on preparing for senior year by writing personal statements, requesting letters of recommendation, and identifying their post-high school pathway.
· 12th Grade – Career Choices: Seniors enroll in a Career Choices course aligned to their goals.
· Students pursuing technical programs, trades, military service, two-year colleges, or immediate workforce entry participate in a yearlong course that includes career exploration, job shadows or virtual interviews, networking, postsecondary research, and scholarship applications.
· University-bound seniors enroll in a college-prep section focused on college applications, FAFSA/WAFSA completion, scholarships, and networking interviews.
A key goal of the Limitless Learning Grant is to create a seamless “passing of the baton” so that students don’t lose momentum after graduation. Serving as Manson’s Limitless liaison, ELA/CTE teacher Jennifer Koth works closely with Chelan School District, Wenatchee Valley College, NCW Tech Alliance, and the Apple STEM Network to align expectations and support students as they move into postsecondary education or training. This collaboration helps ensure students connect with advisors early, understand enrollment and placement processes, and feel supported during their first year beyond high school.
For families, this work means clearer communication, fewer surprises after graduation, and stronger guidance during an important transition year. Through the combination of a strong K–12 preparation sequence and intentional regional partnerships, the Gates Foundation’s Limitless Learning Grant helps ensure Manson graduates are not only ready for their next step—but supported to succeed well beyond high school.