The Oxford Hills School District encourages student aspirations through a variety of experiences that take place throughout the year. College visits and fairs, financial fitness workshops, adult education, college transition programs and guest speakers all are designed to promote the expectation that all students need to have post high school goals and plans.

Goal setting and high aspirations requires community participation. Developing goals for continued education is not something that can be developed in a vacuum. While some students have the internal drive and motivation to set and attain personal goals, others need parent and community support. Studies have shown that communities that have high aspirations and expectations have students who rise to them. They believe that having post high school plans is a necessity and logical step to ensure independence and acceptance. It is the community that provides the aspiration.

Studies show that those who have post high school training, associate’s degrees or college degrees have more job opportunities available to them when compared to those with only a high diploma and will earn significantly higher wages over their life time. There are jobs available in the Oxford Hills area in the areas of hospitality, precision machining, auto technicians and education. All of them require training beyond what a high school diploma provides.

For four weeks beginning the week of Monday, Oct. 19, the Oxford Hills School District provides opportunities for the community to support students in raising aspirations. The “March for Aspirations” will occur on Wednesday, Oct. 21, beginning at 10 a.m. The community is invited to show its support for student aspirations by marching with students, faculty and staff in recognition of the importance of having post high school goals and aspirations. There will be community-based aspirations activities in each school throughout Aspire Higher Month and more than 60 Aspire Higher scholarships, donated by Oxford Hills businesses and community members, will be awarded in assemblies held in each of the district’s 10 schools

Saying that we want our kids to aspire higher is not enough. As a community, we must lead our students to higher aspirations. Here is your chance to send a message to your community’s students.