Many students at Madison Consolidated Schools say they do not feel fully equipped for life after high school, especially when it comes to managing finances, seeking employment, and balancing adult responsibilities. Despite the school’s efforts to prepare them, students report varying levels of confidence about their futures.
Some students are concerned about challenges like budgeting, saving for emergencies, and understanding taxes. Some feel prepared for life after high school, but others still notice gaps in what they have been taught.
Some students also say they do not feel prepared for the jobs available in Madison. Students said the pathways the school offers are limited and do not always line up with local job opportunities. Some students said the jobs available in Madison do not match the careers they are interested in pursuing.
“I want to go into the cosmetology business, but I am not able to because the pathway isn’t being offered here,” 11th grader Addison Renecker said.
Students said that although they go to school, it does not always cover the basic life skills everyone needs. One common challenge high schoolers face after graduation is learning how to manage money.
“I didn’t feel prepared until junior year,” 12th grader Kim Sells said. “I learned how to manage and make money. I feel like there are still things I could learn, so I feel more comfortable after school is over, like what to do with my taxes.”
“Spending money was my biggest issue. I had to learn how to budget and save money for the future in case an emergency happened,” 2024 graduate Samantha Cox said.
Preparing students for life after high school is a major part of the school experience at Madison Consolidated Schools. Still, some students feel the transition from childhood to adulthood is challenging and intimidating.
