This story is a continuation of RPS’s Advanced Learning program coverage.
Once students enter Rochester Public Schools (RPS) high schools, they have access to a range of educational opportunities and curricula, such as Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), Advanced Placement (A.P.), Honors, and Mentorships. At the high school level, students are at the center of the decision-making. They work closely with their school counselors and Advanced Learning Specialist to determine the best option for their coursework and pathway. Advanced Learning in high school can lead students to weighted GPAs (assigns higher point values to more challenging classes), an honors diploma, early entrance to college, professional experience through mentorship, and even confirmation of their desire to follow a career path or field of study in the future.
For RPS juniors and seniors, deciding where to start on a career path can seem overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately for students looking to find that path before college or graduation, there’s a program available to all juniors and seniors through a mentorship program. RPS Advanced Learning Specialist Sarah Michet is in her fifth year as the primary point of contact for the Advanced Learning Mentorship program at Century and Mayo High Schools.
“This is an opportunity for students to do an internship prior to going to college," Sarah said. "It gives them the chance to use what they've learned in school in a real-world setting, which is something traditional high school classes don't typically offer."
All students, not just those designated as advanced learners, are paired with mentors in a wide range of fields. From financial services firms to research labs at the Mayo Clinic or a public defender's office, students are tasked with finding a mentor who can help them determine what career could be worth pursuing after their RPS graduation.
These mentors are volunteer-based and have been identified by the student as someone who they’d like to learn from. Sarah meets with student participants regularly, helping them develop their resumes, write reflections on their experiences, and complete a final project related to their mentorship.
Darian D. is a graduate of the program and said how influential it had been on his career outlook.
“The skills I’ve learned in my mentorships are invaluable, not only how to conduct myself ethically in studies – having to follow proper procedures in accordance with the IRB and Mayo Clinic External Personnel Protocol – but more intangible skills, like how to advocate for myself, how to better develop my professional mannerism, time management, and especially how to parse through incredulous amounts of data to acquire the information I need—seriously, there was a lot!” he said.
The mentorship program is a semester-based commitment, with most students extending their mentorships for a second semester or even a second year. Upon completing a semester-long mentorship program, students are eligible for .5 honors credit, which count towards an honors diploma (24-semester honors credits over four years in high school with a grade of an A or B). Each semester, students must complete 60 hours of work with their mentor to be eligible for honors credit.
Sarah emphasized that the program is not just about finding out what students want to do but also what they don't want to do – an equally valuable lesson.
"This is an opportunity for students to use what they've learned in school in a career-like setting," she said. "It's a unique experience that can truly shape their future paths."
For Century, MNSync Online, and Mayo High School parents, caregivers, and students interested in learning more about the mentorship program, Sarah encourages them to email her and apply for Spring 2025 mentorships on her website.
For John Marshall parents and caregivers, and students, please email Denise Cobb, High School Advanced Learning Specialist.
For prospective mentors who offer insights into unique fields of study, please reach out to Sarah or Denise via email to be added to their mentor pools.