Chelan High School secures $30,000 in grants for tech and career education upgrades

CHELAN –  The Lake Chelan School District has been awarded over $30,000 in grants, including two $10,000 Computer Science Grants and $12,000 from the Carl D. Perkins Act, to enhance Career and Technical Education programs and upgrade technology at Chelan High School.

The Computer Science Grants are from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). 

The grants will significantly upgrade the technology in the Chelan High School CTE Business and Technology computer lab. The enhancements will ensure that students gain hands-on experience with modern tools critical for success in today’s tech-driven world. 

Classes that will benefit from the upgrades include Intro to Computer Science, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science, Accounting, Digital Photography, and Entrepreneurship, all taught by Mrs. Jess Poland. 

These courses are central to preparing students for careers in business, technology, and innovation. Procurement and installation of the new devices will be completed by Lake Chelan School District Technology Team members Frank Phelps and Eric Page. 

Scott Granger, Chelan High School Associate Principal and CTE Director, is excited about the grants and the opportunities they will provide for students.

“These funds will provide our students with access to state-of-the-art technology, bridging the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the modern workforce,” Granger said. “This investment will empower our students to explore, create, and innovate in ways that weren’t possible before.” 

In addition to the Computer Science Grants, the district received $12,000 in funding from the Carl D. Perkins Act, which will support the purchase of new computers.

The Perkins Act funding is designed to supplement educational programs by providing additional resources to enhance career and technical education. Perkins grants enable schools to expand opportunities for students to explore and pursue career pathways, ensuring that they meet challenging academic and technical standards for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations. 

The combined funding ensures that Chelan High School students will have access to robust and state-of-the-art educational tools. 

The grant funding will enable the school to purchase cutting-edge computers and software, ensuring that students have the tools they need to thrive in their studies and future careers. The support also aligns with Lake Chelan School District’s ongoing mission to ensure academic,

social, and emotional success for every one of their students, which includes 64% of the student population living in poverty who may not have equitable access to technology. 

The OSPI Computer Science and AP Computer Science Initiative Grants are designed to improve access to computer science education in Washington state. These grants support teacher training and credentialing, technology upgrades, and initiatives to engage underserved student populations. Schools in rural areas, with significant numbers of low-income students, or without existing AP Computer Science offerings, are prioritized. 

The Carl D. Perkins Act provides supplemental funding to enhance career and technical education programs by offering students access to modern technology, rigorous academic standards, and career pathways. The act emphasizes collaboration between schools, industries, and communities to ensure students are prepared for high-demand careers and post-secondary education.