Ninety-eight percent of the more than 2,000 North Country teens in the Department of Education’s RPED, Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development, program for rural students expect to graduate high school, and three quarters of them plan to continue their education after high school, according to an annual evaluation of the program.

Eight North Country high schools are participating in RPED, delivered by CFES-Brilliant Pathways of Essex, a college and career readiness nonprofit—Boquet Valley, Brushton Moira, General Brown, LaFargeville, Madrid-Waddington, Northeastern Clinton, Northern Adirondack, and Norwood Norfolk.

“Because they have fewer connections and financial resources, and often lack a family history of higher education, rural students are less likely to attend college than young people from urban and suburban areas. Through RPED, CFES has leveled the playing field and given rural kids a better shot at college, and a high paying job,” said Tara Smith, CEO of CFES.

The RPED program is designed to increase postsecondary enrollment, lead to successful degree completion and expose rural students to career pathways aligned to high-skill, in-demand industries and occupations in the region. The most popular careers identified by North Country RPED students, according to CFES’ annual survey, are in health sciences, video technology, communications, law, corrections and business.

Funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Education, CFES is in its final year of administering the three-year program.

In that time, post-secondary enrollment is up 3% at participating schools, and 10% more students are completing financial aid forms.

Kelsey Sloper, who helps oversee RPED for CFES, said rural students are more likely to attend college when they become familiar with postsecondary options and understand how to access financial aid, complete applications and see the connection between postsecondary study and career options.

RPED partners with eight institutions of higher education—Clarkson University, North Country Community College, Paul Smith’s College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Adirondack, SUNY Canton, SUNY Plattsburgh, and SUNY Potsdam—to provide students with immersive college explore days, mentorship opportunities, and application support, ensuring they are prepared for the transition to postsecondary education.

“Through RPED, North Country students are visiting college campuses, touring healthcare and manufacturing sites and participating in job fairs that expose them to workplace options,” Sloper said.

Sloper said that students benefit from the CFES 10-Point College and Career Readiness Plan, a roadmap that includes such fundamentals as obtaining a mentor, putting together a financial-aid package and learning about jobs that fit their interests. Students gain skills and knowledge that they are asked to hand down to younger peers.

Students also learn the CFES Essential Skills™️ developed through activities, peer mentor and leadership training; FAFSA workshops; mock interviews and other activities.