April 2025

Victoria’s Artistic Talent is Blossoming at Learn4Life

Growing up, Victoria was always drawing. “Being creative is a large part of my life -- it’s a good escape for me,” she said. “I see things differently as an artist. I see the world as a painting, or scenes of a painting, the colors, the textures, the lighting and the feeling it gives you.” 

Victoria is thrilled to be at a high school that offers robust art classes and gives students the autonomy to discover her style and interests.

“My teacher allows me to experiment and explore more than any other experience I’ve had. She helped me go further in my artistic journey than I ever thought possible.”  

More Girls are Picking Up a Hammer in Our Construction Classes

The need for skilled construction workers is at a critical point, but despite an increase in female workers, about 90 percent of construction workers are still male. The industry will have to close the gender gap if it wants to meet demand.

Schools like ours offer an array of CTE career pathways and growing in popularity are the construction classes, says Nate Larson, construction CTE instructor. He makes it a point to ensure female students are presented the opportunity and feel included in the class.

“Half our students are girls, and we empower them with the notion that they can certainly design and build just as well or better than the guys in the class,” he said. “I tell them I met my wife in a construction class,” he said. “My wife didn’t make it her career, but she gained great skills. Recently she decided she wanted to raise chickens, so she bought the lumber and built a chicken coop. Construction skills are something everyone should have.”

High Schoolers Are Asking for Financial Literacy Classes

Students are asking for personal finance instruction – more than 85 percent – but only 10 states currently require the course. Another 15 states have mandated it for cohorts graduating in 2030-31.

We have been offering financial literacy as an elective for a decade and will soon be making it part of the core curriculum.

In a national poll commissioned by Learn4Life, more than 85 percent of recent high school grads wished their high schools had spent more time focusing on financial literacy and real-world skills like saving, investing, how to buy a car and closing on a home.