This article was contributed by San Benito High School Communications Manager Adam Breen.
The San Benito High School Class of 2018 had plenty of options — more than 1,000 in fact — when it came to deciding on their post-secondary paths, with Baler seniors earning acceptance to nearly 150 colleges and trade schools throughout the United States, one from England, as well as various branches of the military.
According to a report generated by the SBHS College and Career Center and the school’s counselors, this year’s 657 seniors received a total of 1,032 acceptances spread over 10 University of California campuses, 21 California State University schools, 14 private colleges throughout the state, 75 out-of-state colleges and universities, 21 California community colleges, and seven trade schools.
The numbers are a testament to San Benito High School’s Mission Statement, which calls for students to have “the greatest range of personal options upon graduation,” Vice Principal Claire Grissom said.
“We have nine, three-year course CTE (Career Technical Education) pathways that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs as well as 21 different Advanced Placement courses offered at SBHS,” she said. “There is something for every single student at every level of learning that challenges them beyond their comfort zone.”
The CSU system was a favorite of this year’s Baler seniors, with the class receiving 493 acceptance letters from the system, with the most coming from Chico State (64), CSU Monterey Bay (52), Sonoma State (45), San Jose State and Sacramento State (44 each), and Fresno State (42). From the University of California system, Irvine (24) and Davis (23) admitted the most SBHS students, with Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Santa Cruz not far behind. Baler seniors also received 10 acceptances to UCLA and four to Berkeley.
The list of California private schools to which the SBHS Class of 2018 was admitted includes USC, Azusa Pacific, Santa Clara, USF, St. Mary’s and University of the Pacific, among others. With a strong technical education pathway available to SBHS students, admittances also came from the Culinary Institute of America, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the International Culinary Center, Universal Technical Institute, the Institute of Business and Technology, Pacific College, and the Northwest Lineman College.
The 75 out-of-state colleges to which students were admitted spanned the map from coast to coast and include prestigious schools such as Columbia, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYU, Johns Hopkins University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Hofstra. One student also earned acceptance to the University of East London.
“On behalf of the San Benito High School District Board of Trustees and administration, we are extremely proud of each and every one of our students for their accomplishments,” said Superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum. “With the guidance and support from an outstanding faculty and classified support staff, SBHS students continue to set the bar high as they embark on their journey beyond high school. Our school district could not be more proud of our seniors and all they have accomplished throughout their four years. We wish them much success in their future endeavors and wherever life takes them, they will always be Balers.”
Based on feedback from seniors and information provided to the College and Career Center as well as SBHS counselors, the list attached to this article shows the post-high school plans for the Baler Class of 2018.
