In the midst of one of the strangest and most challenging times in K-12 education, students have entered new grade levels, moved from middle to high school, started kindergarten, and been accepted to college. Daily life is alarmingly different, and it’s increasingly important to honor students’ experiences. In particular, graduating high school.

Many 2020 graduates saw their senior year come to a screeching halt. They received their diplomas without traditional fanfare – celebrating with virtual ceremonies, walking across make-shift outdoor stages, even waving out car windows in drive-thru parades.

The class of 2021 may have similar celebrations, but after a much different year. Many will have spent most (if not all) of their senior year remotely. For those of us that recall their own senior year experiences, that’s tough to imagine. Senior year is an exciting time, dotted with seniors-only field trips, events, proms, off-campus privileges, yearbooks, and for some, the famous senior skip day 👀 

But senior year is more than just celebrations. It’s a quick exchange between a student and teacher in the hall that turns into an hour-long, heart-to-heart conversation. It’s staying after practice to hear tough love and motivation from a director or coach they’ve had for 4 years. It’s holding tight to life advice from mentors, creating lasting memories with friends, and wrapping up an important time in their youth – all while preparing to enter the “real world”. It’s not that these moments didn’t happen this year, it’s that many didn’t happen in person. And that’s a big deal.

So how do we show up for our 2021 grads? How can educators and admin hold space for seniors as they prepare for their next chapter? What does community support and accountability look like in a remote world? 

Supporting students’ goals is central to their academic and personal growth. Alma’s graduation tracking allows advisors to create customized graduation plans for every student, engaging them in conversation about their future aspirations, personal goals, and checkpoints along the way. Then, easily share the plans with teachers and families, identifying any need for intervention and additional support, and adjust in real time as necessary. These conversations may still happen remotely, but communication with Alma is easier than ever, with in-app messaging and mobile-ready student and parent portals.

Students are always the priority, and this year has shown that it really does take a village to support graduates. Alma helps educators do their jobs more effectively to better serve each and every student. Celebrate wins big and small this year, and give the Class of 2021 the support they need to finish strong and start their next chapter.