LEWISTON, ID – Lewis-Clark State College received approval last week by the U.S. Department of Education to add Lapwai High School to its TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) program. 

LC State’s ETS program works directly with sixth to 12th grade students and individuals up to age 27 seeking their General Educational Development (GED) diploma, to ensure obtaining a college degree is possible. The program is designed to work with students from limited income families, and whose parents didn’t graduate with a four-year degree.

“We are delighted to add Lapwai High School to the Talent Search program,” Senior Vice President/Vice President for Student Affairs Andrew Hanson said. “Building on the good work already happening there, we know this program will help more students with their college and career planning,”

In Lapwai’s letter of request to join the program, school officials said the district, which has an enrollment of 279 students, has a 100 percent low-income designation. Officials said they have a first-generation college-bound student population of approximately 50 percent at this time.

The program will provide Lapwai High School students with academic advising; information on colleges, vocational, and technical schools; college tours; tutoring; and other educational assistance. LC State’s TRIO student advisor, Matthew Hersh, has worked directly with the Lapwai School District and will play a key role in the partnership.

Lapwai has a long history of partnering with LC State and has been a part of the ETS program in the past. Other schools affiliated with LC State’s ETS program are located in Timberline, Orofino, Kooskia, Grangeville, and Kamiah.