Co-op Students Combine Classroom with Workplace

Twenty-one seniors from Collinsville High School were chosen to participate in the school’s Co-operative Education program during the 2017-18 academic year.  

Co-op students are selected based on GPA, attendance and teacher recommendations.  As student-employees, they learn to balance school and work.  While attending regular classes for half days, they also work an average 15+ hours per week.  Students are graded on both classroom work and quarterly work evaluations. 

CHS Co-op Coordinator Kelli Ponce says there are benefits for Co-op employers, “The applicants are screened by the Co-op program in advance and interviewed ahead of time, which is an advantage.  They also know they can count on having the student worker from at least September – May.”  

Ponce, as the Co-op coordinator, is the liaison between school and the workplace.   She says there are positive outcomes in student attendance and initiative.  “If students do not come to school they cannot go to work that day, which increases attendance.  Co-op promotes initiative because students get quarterly feedback on their evaluations and have a clear picture of how they meet expectations.”

CHS Co-op students are members Distributive Clubs of America (DECA).  Students currently enrolled in Co-op raise money, provide community service, participate in school activities and hold a  banquet at the end of the school year for all participating employers.

2017-18 CHS Co-op students and their employers: