High School

The Step Ahead with Schoolcraft College program offers students a chance to earn college credit, a scholarship for the Fall semester and get acclimated to what the college experience is like.

Calling all high school graduates: Schoolcraft College has brought back its summer bridge program to help students get a jump start on their studies.

The Step Ahead with Schoolcraft College summer bridge program offers students a chance to earn college credit, a scholarship for the Fall semester and get acclimated to what the college experience is like.

Two sessions will take place: the first will run July 14-25, while the second will run July 28-Aug. 8. All classes will take place in the morning, with workshops on select afternoons. Registration is free, though slots are limited.

“This program has been an incredible success the past few years, and we’re excited to offer it yet again to students looking to get a leg up on their collegiate careers,” said Jennie Rokakis, a Learning Support Services Coordinator at Schoolcraft College. “Students that enroll in our Step Ahead program are then equipped with the skills they need to succeed in college.”

Students will take CAB 102: Student Success and Career Development, a two-credit course designed to clarify education and career direction while maximizing potential for success in both college and the workplace. Students will also be required to attend at least three workshops offered by Learning Support Services through their “College Essentials: Pre-Fall Workshop Series.” Workshops will be offered in the afternoons from July 14-Aug. 14 and focus on a variety of topics such as writing essays, using library databases, financial literacy and more. Those who register and complete the program will receive a scholarship to apply toward their Fall 2025 semester at Schoolcraft College, as well as entry into a drawing for free school supplies, including Chromebooks.

Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with campus resources such as advising, student employment, student life with the Student Activities Office, Hinkle Student Resource Center and more. In addition, students will also get the chance to meet with an Academic Success Coach and learn about the offerings from Learning Support Services such as tutoring, to strengthen their academics in English and Mathematics.

To qualify for the program, students must have a GED, high school diploma or a certificate of completion, and be an accepted Schoolcraft student for Summer 2025. While the program is geared toward first-year students, all Schoolcraft students are welcome to register if they feel they would benefit from the program and have not taken CAB 102 previously.

To learn more about the Step Ahead program and to sign up to participate, visit schoolcraft.edu/StepAhead.

The Teach and S.T.E.P. program, now in its fourth year, continues to link Schoolcraft College and Detroit Western International High School in a partnership that shows students a taste of higher education.

A long-running partnership between Schoolcraft College and Western International High School in Detroit has helped expose many high school students to the benefits of attending college.

The Teach and S.T.E.P. program, now in its fourth year, continues to link Schoolcraft College and Western International High School in a partnership that shows students a taste of higher education. Led by duo Ryan Masters, who teaches at both Schoolcraft and Western International; and Janice Tomlinson, an instructor at Schoolcraft, the program gives high school students the opportunity to work with elementary students, giving them hands-on experience in the education world. The students also dual enroll at Schoolcraft, taking CAB 102: College and Beyond.

The high school students recently came to campus to present their capstone projects. One student, Deshawn Echols, said he really enjoyed the program and really recommended other students look at taking college courses while still in high school.

“I would 100% take dual enrollment classes next year with Mr. Masters,” he said. “I got to learn more programs, get more experience and widen my range.”

In addition to working with local groups and taking college courses, the students had the opportunity to visit Schoolcraft College and tour the college after presenting their capstone portfolio projects among their fellow students and Schoolcraft leadership.

Students in the program work with various community groups, such as Soar Detroit, a literacy program for children; and GOAL Line Detroit, which aims to provide Detroit students access to impactful afterschool programming.

Masters said he was proud of the work his students put in this year and was excited at the next steps for all of them. Whether they planned on being mentors for new students next year or they were off to college, Masters said the students had done well at completing their work.

“You’ve done the hard work and now we reap the fruits of our labor,” Masters told his students.

Whether the students decide to pursue a career path in teaching our not, Tomlinson told them teaching is something that’s present in nearly every job they would go into once they complete their schooling.

“Regardless of what occupational area you go into, you’re going to teach,” Tomlinson said. “Teaching is the foundation of every other occupation. That experience is going to be invaluable.”