Helping Our Neighbors Prepare for Their Next Chapter

Greetings all,

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is seeing all the good things happening across our district. The California School Dashboard gives us an opportunity to look at our progress, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every result are students, teachers, classified staff, administrators, and families working together to make a difference.

There is plenty to celebrate in this year’s Dashboard results. Our graduation rate is 96.3%, and 80.9% of our students are considered prepared for college or a career. Our English language arts results improved from last year, and our students continue to perform above state averages in English, math, and science. College and career readiness has also increased significantly over the past several years, moving from 68.9% in 2019 to 80.9% today.

Those are encouraging results, and our staff deserves a great deal of credit for the work behind them. Of course, we still have work to do. While our English language arts results improved, math results dipped slightly from last year, and we continue to see differences in outcomes among student groups. We need to celebrate our progress while remaining focused on the areas where we can do better. Both are important.

The Dashboard helps us measure how well we are preparing students for what comes after high school. At Placer School for Adults, that work continues at different stages of life. The opening of its new College and Career Counseling Center is an opportunity to share more about this part of our district and the people it serves.

Thank you for checking this out!

Tom O’Malley

When we talk about education, we naturally spend a lot of time talking about our students and preparing them for life after high school. That's an important part of what we do, but learning doesn't stop when someone walks across the graduation stage. In fact, some of the most important educational decisions people make happen much later in life.

Someone may be looking to change careers, return to the workforce after raising a family, learn new technology, or simply find a way to put years of experience to use in a new setting. Whatever the reason, having access to education, guidance, and the right resources can make a tremendous difference.

That's why I'm excited about the new College and Career Counseling Center at Placer School for Adults, which celebrated its grand opening on November 2 at our Auburn campus on Richardson Drive.

Placer School for Adults (PSA) has been serving our community since the 1950s. This new center builds on that long history while creating additional opportunities for adults to explore what's next. With dedicated counseling and college and career planning spaces, along with three reopened classroom and meeting spaces, PSA is better positioned to help people take that next step.

One of the things I think we sometimes overlook is just how much experience adults bring with them when they consider returning to work or pursuing a new career. Years of working with people, solving problems, managing responsibilities, and contributing to an organization don't suddenly lose their value because someone has retired or stepped away from the workforce.

At the same time, the world of work continues to change. Technology evolves, employers have different expectations, and sometimes a little additional education or training is all someone needs to open a new door.

There is a real need for these opportunities. In AARP's summer 2026 national survey of adults age 50 and older, 6 percent of retirees reported returning to work in the previous six months. Among those who returned, nearly half cited financial need or a poor economic outlook as their primary reason. It is a reminder that retirement doesn't always mean someone is finished working, and that people need options at different stages of life.

Through PSA, adults can develop digital literacy, learn workplace technology, explore entrepreneurship, and receive career counseling to help connect their interests and experience with a plan. Medical assistant training and commercial driver's license preparation also provide opportunities for those interested in pursuing an entirely new career.

Of course, education and training are only part of the picture. Sometimes people are ready to take the next step but face other challenges along the way. Transportation, housing, financial circumstances, or simply knowing where to turn for help can make the process difficult.

That's where partnerships become so important. PSA provides education and training, while community agencies can offer additional resources and support. One of our goals for the new center is to make those connections easier by bringing partner agencies onto campus, at least part of the time. The easier we make it for people to access the resources they need, the more likely they are to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

This also creates another opportunity for our own graduates. Not every student leaves high school with a four-year college plan, and that's okay. Some will pursue career training, some will enter the workforce, and others may need a little more time to figure out what comes next. Placer School for Adults gives them another resource right here in our community.

I believe one of the responsibilities of a public education system is to serve its community at every stage of life. Our work doesn't end when a student graduates, and it doesn't have to be limited to those currently sitting in our classrooms. Whether someone is 18 or 68, there should be opportunities to learn, grow, and pursue something new.

I'm proud of the work happening at Placer School for Adults and excited about what this new center will mean for our community. It's another example of how PUHSD continues to look for ways to serve people beyond the traditional classroom.

If you or someone you know is considering returning to work, changing careers, or pursuing additional education, I encourage you to explore Placer School for Adults. Visit their website or call 530-885-8585 to learn more about the classes, counseling, and opportunities available.

Sometimes the next chapter just takes a little help getting started. We're glad PSA can be part of that journey!