College and Career Readiness

Apprenticeship is a blended learning model combining college articulated education with applied learning employment. Apprenticeships exist in many high-demand, high-technology sectors across the country and globally. Most apprenticeships in the United States are registered federally and at the state level. Registered apprenticeships adhere to rigorous program standards. They are regulated just like peer programs in public and private colleges, universities and career schools. Puyallup School District offers two apprenticeship opportunities for students while still in high school, at Emerald Ridge High School and Puyallup High School, in partnership with AJAC. 

• AJAC 2023 Recruitment Flyer
  PHS STEM Apprenticeship
  ERHS Mechatronics Apprenticeship
• Apprenticeships for Tribal Members
   
• Earn while you learn
   
• Washington State Apprenticeship Catalog
   
• Learn more about apprenticeships

The College in the High School Program is designed to offer students the opportunity to take rigorous college courses while in high school. The courses are taught by qualified high school instructors who have been approved by appropriate Central Washington University and/or University of Washington academic department and colleges as affiliate faculty. Courses must be university catalog courses at the 100- or 200-level and require the same prerequisites.

The program is accredited by the National Alliance for Concurrent Partnerships (NACEP) and adheres to their standards to ensure rigorous university oversight for consistency in educational experiences between students enrolled in this program and students enrolled in campus sections.

In Washington State, there are two different applications for financial aid you must choose between:

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Learn more about the FAFSA

Complete the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) if you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WASFA

Colleges use your application to determine your financial aid eligibility. Before each year of college, apply for grants, work-study, and loans through a financial aid application. Many  colleges set priority deadlines by which you must submit the FAFSA/WASFA form to be considered for the aid programs they administer. There is also a federal deadline each academic year. 

If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or a WASFA:

COMPLETE THE WASFA ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

Explore more Financial Aid Resources for Students

The Guaranteed Admissions Programs let students learn if they will be admitted to partner institutions before they even apply. Through data-sharing partnerships with our school district, the participating institutions provide information to potentially eligible students on the process for accessing guaranteed admission.

Learn more Information on the Guaranteed Admission Program.

In alignment with the Puyallup School District's philosophy and Washington State's graduation requirements, the High School & Beyond Plan challenges students to apply their classroom education in demonstrating their college and career readiness for life after high school through the completion of a multi-year educational and post high plan, professional resume, community experience and senior conference.  Learn more about the High School and Beyond Plan.

Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is responsible for its own recruiting. You can learn more about each branch's recruiting policies by contacting a recruiter directly.  

Learn more about joining the military

In Washington State, students are eligible to attend classes at any community college provided they can arrange transportation to the college, attain the minimum qualifying score on the college's test, and complete the college's orientation process.  Learn more about Running Start.

There are multiple sources of scholarship information available for students and their families on our scholarship directory. scholarship directory

If you are interested in establishing or donating scholarship funds, you can learn more at the following links:

Donate to the Puyallup School District Student Scholarships

Establish a new Puyallup School District Student Scholarship

PSAT/NMSQT - Prelimary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Puyallup schools offer the PSAT/NMSQT during the school day, typically once in October, for 10th and 11th graders who sign up for it.  To be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, a student must take this in 11th grade.  See high school counselors for more information.
Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT

SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test:  Math & Critical Reading
Puyallup schools offer the SAT during the school day, typically once in the spring (March - May), for 11th and 12th graders who sign up for it.  See high school counselors for more information.
Learn more about the SAT

ACT - American College Testing:  Reading, English, Math, & Science
Learn more about ACT test location options

ASVAB - Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery: Military
Puyallup schools offer the ASVAB during the school day, typically two times a year, for 11th and 12th graders who sign up for it.  See high school counselors and/or career specialists for more information.
Learn more about the ASVAB

Pathway experts and workforce partners collaborate with our Career and Technical Education teachers in an effort to provide at least one meaningful and rigorous certification opportunity to every student enrolled in a CTE course. The goal of the certifications is to help students understand the value of certifications in careers and gain credentials that support transition into the workplace.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high demand careers.  CTE is a national program designed for career exploration and preparation where students learn academic, employability, and technical skills in hands-on settings.  Students enrolled in CTE courses engage in leadership skill development activities as an integral part of the instructional program. 

Career Pathways correspond to a collection of courses and training opportunities to prepare students for a chosen career.  CTE Career Pathways students in the Puyallup School District can complete include:  Business & Marketing, Health Sciences, Human Services, Science & Natural Resources, and Skilled and Technical Sciences.

Learn more about the CTE Career Pathways

The Puyallup School District has developed competency-based articulation agreements with our local colleges that help students transition from high school into postsecondary programs. Through these articulation agreements, colleges award credit to students who successfully complete college-equivalent courses and programs with a "C" or better while still in high school. Articulation agreements between the individual colleges and the school district define the criteria for equivalency and the granting of credit. If you have any questions about the process of earning college credit for Career & Technical Education courses taken in high school, contact the Career Specialist at your high school.

The Puyallup School District has current articulation agreements with Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, and Pierce College.

Learn more about Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit.

Millie is designed to provide all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students an opportunity to experience hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) activities. These will allow the students to explore different CTE career pathways that they can take once they reach high school. You and your family can experience hand-on STEAM fun with Millie at local community events and high school football games.

Learn more about Millie

In alignment with the Puyallup School District's philosophy and Washington State's graduation requirements, the High School & Beyond Plan includes include a 20-hour active, community-based learning or service experience.  For help finding a community service option, check with your career center or the Communities In Schools of Puyallup website.

Students Grades 7 to 12 can receive a Varsity letter if they participate at least 150 in unpaid community service hours in our community.

Students would need to log hours for each school year. This year the dates to log their hours are May 16, 2024 to May 14, 2025. Students may not use back logged hours from previous years but are able to receive a letter each school year that they participate in community service hours.

Included in the hours logged, students will be asked to write a 250 to 500-word essay. Topic for the essay is "Reflect on how your community service has made an impact on yourself and your community"

Please remember, you must not receive any other benefit for your community service hours. e.g. Grade, Credit, Pay or Varsity letter in any other area.

Learn more about the Varsity Letter in Volunteer Service program and how to submit your hours log sheet and application. 

Submission Deadline: May 14, 2025

Students, ages 16 and older, with paying jobs may be eligible to earn high school credit based on the number of hours they work. 

There are two options for credit:

1.  Worksite Learning (WSL) counts as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Graduation Pathway credit

2. Paid Work Experience (PWE) counts as an Elective credit only

Sign up for Work Experience Credit

Learn more by talking with the Career Specialist and/or Counselor at your school.