POUGHKEEPSIE – Despite a sometimes turbulent atmosphere at Poughkeepsie High School, more than 130 students have been accepted to colleges across the nation, as of last week. The number of students accepted to institutes of higher education represents more than three-quarters of the senior class.
An exuberant Poughkeepsie High School (PHS) College Readiness and Workforce Education Counselor, Kelly Semexant said, “We have over 75 percent of our senior class accepted to colleges!” The number of students accepted to their next level of education is an increase over last year.
Semexant has not slowed down in her efforts to have PHS students continue learning. On several occasions in April Semexant and other counselors took the top 10 juniors on tours of Vassar College, funded by Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Angela Harry. Students also experienced a day at SUNY New Paltz, Dutchess Community College, and St. Thomas Aquinas during a three-week period in April.
Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers’ Association President Kimberley Popken touted the efforts of her members and Semexant. “The Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers’ Association is proud to serve our public school community by helping our students realize dreams for their futures,” while noting that the union “understands the absolute fortitude and perseverance that our PHS students have had to possess in order to have arrived at a graduation ceremony to ascend and receive their hard-earned diploma.”
Popken also pointed out that the success rate this year was a collaborative effort between students and teachers. “As they graduate to enter college or a career path to the future, it cannot go without saying that this collective group of young people, with their educators by their sides, are epically connected by their unified efforts to forge through a pandemic and virtual instruction with a transition to in-person learning and planning for the future.”
The colleges where PHS seniors have been accepted represent a wide array of higher learning institutions.
- 53 students are heading to Dutchess Community College.
- Seven are going to SUNY Albany.
- Four are heading to St. John’s.
- Three are going north to the College of St. Rose.
“I am so proud of the work of Ms. Semexant and the high school counselors,” said PCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser. “They have increased the opportunities that students have to participate in institutions of higher learning beyond our Pre-K -12 institution. Dr. Rosser said the process involved educating both the students and families on the college process and opportunities.
