Youth Options is a state-level government program that allows qualified high school students to take classes at a college or technical school. With this program in place at Shorewood, the school district is responsible for paying for the course taken. There are multiple reasons behind students’ decisions to take classes through Youth Options.

“Some [students] have gone through everything at Shorewood, and some think they can get college credit for free,” said Amy Hook, guidance counselor.  Other students opt to take a class through Youth Options because it fits into their career path.

“I’ve always liked cars,” said Jarred Jackson, senior. “My uncle used to race them when he was younger, and that probably got me the most interested in that stuff.” Jackson has taken a course through Youth Options.  He has already taken an Automotive-electrical class at MATC, and is currently enrolled in an Automotive-chassis course. 

Jackson noted that the hands-on experience of the class was extremely beneficial. In Jackson’s particular course, students were able to work on customers’ cars on nearly a daily basis. 

Due to the lack of knowledge of the program, the administration has begun attempting to make all students and parents aware of the Youth Options program. 

All students, except seniors, received an informational brochure explaining the program along with their report cards at the end of first semester. Although applications are available in the guidance office, many still have yet to check the program out.

“Nobody knows about it,” Jackson said. 

While it is difficult to pin down the reasons behind the lack of advertisement for the Youth Options program, there are several possibilities. 

“For the district, it’s hard because we have to pay for it,” Hook said. “The more you encourage it, the more money you have to pay out for it.”

All public high schools in Wisconsin are required to participate in the Youth Options program.

“It’s a great idea for the state to have [this program], but the state should help pay for it,” said Hook.  Although a scholarship fund is available to help students take classes through Youth Options, it does not cover everything.