Graham-Kapowsin High School is catching on as a college campus.
Since Pierce College began offering college classes in the evenings at Graham-Kapowsin in January, 130 people have attended, validating the belief of college and Bethel School District officials that there is demand for close-to-home higher education in south Pierce County.
With courses at Graham-Kapowsin, students can do their studying locally instead of online or commuting to Pierce College’s campuses in Puyallup and Lakewood.
The program, which is funded by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, has attracted teenagers getting a head start on college credits and adults looking to continue their educations or gain new skills.
Graham-Kapowsin principal Matt Yarkosky hopes this is just the start.
“The folks we’ve worked with at Pierce College have been great,” Yarkosky said. “We’re both really excited about it and excited about the opportunities it affords.”
Jo Ann Baria, a Pierce College-Puyallup vice president, said the goal in the next two years is for students attending Graham-Kapowsin High to simultaneously earn a two-year Associate of Arts degree without leaving the G-K campus. The degree program would give students the 90 college credits needed to transfer to a four-year college.
Pierce College-Puyallup president Marty Cavaluzzi believes the on-site classes in Graham, combined with online learning, will “increase the community’s access to higher education.”
Registration is open for Pierce’s fall classes at G-K, which will include English, math, environmental science, U.S. history, and a college preparatory course called college success.
The classes are taught by Pierce College instructors and held twice a week. Tutoring and financial aid are available.
Pierce College, which recently marked its 50th year, has academic programs that can lead to bachelor degrees, associate (two-year) degrees, and 44 to professional certificates. Approximately 6,000 students attend each of the two campuses in Puyallup and Lakewood.
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