Conley Elementary Students Visit Prairie View A&M

The Pathway to College Starts Early: The school has students thinking about their future aspirations.

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[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]A[/dropcap]t Conley Elementary School, the career and college talk starts early. This spring, 100 fourth grade students took part in “College Day on the Hill” at Prairie View A&M University.

Campus leaders selected students who met goals to take part in the tour. Students learned about college life and what it takes to be a successful college student.

“We recognize that it can’t be secondary school where college and career readiness begins,” said Principal LaDon Ward. “It comes down to what we expose the kids to early on.

“They are thinking about not just what they are going to do, but how they are going to do it. They realize why reading, writing, math and attendance are important. After the tour, students expressed the desire to attend college. It makes my heart happy to know that we‘re instilling a love for learning in the lives of our students.”

According to Ward, PVAMU student Michael Jackson invited students to tour the college. Jackson, an education major, conducted required classroom observation hours at the campus. Ward decided to take him up on his offer as a form of college readiness for our students.

Counselor Lakesha May is grateful to Dr. Talitha Lewis. In a letter to Lewis, she thanked her for “providing students with a priceless experience.” Lewis is director of strategic partnerships and outreach as well as an adjunct professor at Prairie View A&M University.

May also lauded the tour guides and hopes to have more Conley students make the trip to the campus. 

Conley like many campuses in Aldine ISD are having students think about the future early. They are having students talk and think about their future plans.

“Teachers are making college and career readiness a part of the culture here,” Ward said. “Parents are also an important component in getting kids to think about their future. We hope they too are having these conversations at home.

“We want our kids to be hopeful about their future. They need to envision themselves achieving their dreams. By talking about college, visiting universities, hearing from college students, sitting in a college lecture, the students realize that it (attending college) is not something scary. This is something they can do if they prepare for it.”

Shoot for the stars Conley Scholars!