“This is my school. This is where I’m going.”
That was one student’s reaction after visiting Palm Beach State College through the Futures in Focus initiative, a program supported by The Able Trust that helps high school students with disabilities explore life after graduation through real-world learning experiences and career discovery.
For students in Palm Beach Lakes Community High School’s learning strategies program, the experience was more than a campus tour.
It was an opportunity to see themselves in new environments, imagine new possibilities, and begin charting a path toward the future.
Throughout the school year, students participated in visits to Palm Beach State College, PipeU apprenticeship programs, and workplace learning opportunities with Red Apple Supplies, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s free teacher resource store. Along the way, they explored careers in skilled trades, business, higher education, and practiced soft skills during their paid internship.
Teachers say the impact was immediate. After one college visit, every student on the bus said they planned to apply. Others discovered paid apprenticeship opportunities in air conditioning, plumbing, and welding, career pathways they had not previously considered.
From Exposure to Motivation
One student had been focused on military service after high school. After visiting Palm Beach State College, the experience opened their eyes to additional opportunities available after graduation. The student returned motivated to raise their GPA, complete missing coursework, and keep multiple pathways open for the future. What began as a campus visit became a spark for renewed focus and momentum.
Another student, already interested in entrepreneurship, said the trips helped him think more strategically about affordable college options, including starting at Palm Beach State College before transferring to a university.
For educators and school leaders, that growth has been the most meaningful outcome.
“The important thing is they love it. They’re engaged. They’re happy,” said Principal McCrae. “They’re going to leave school and enter the community, and now I feel better knowing they have skills and are more prepared to compete in the world.”
The program reflects a simple but powerful truth: when students are given access to experiences, they gain the confidence to imagine themselves succeeding there.
Jennifer Ethridge, Director of Programs and Grants for the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County said the initiative has helped students connect classroom learning to real opportunities.
“When there’s a way, kids develop their will,” Ethridge said.
As Futures in Focus continues to grow, leaders hope to bring similar opportunities to more students across the district, ensuring more young people can see their strengths, discover their options, and step confidently into what comes next.
