Waldport High School welcomed about 35 GEAR UP coordinators from across Oregon on Sept. 30 after being selected as Oregon GEAR UP’s model school for the 2026-27 school year.

The visit gave educators an opportunity to see how Waldport supports students as they explore college, career and training opportunities after high school.

Student ambassadors led tours of the school and spoke with visitors about their experiences. Students also gave presentations highlighting forestry, communication arts, broadcast and communications, Music in May and other programs available at Waldport.

Visitors toured classrooms, learned about the school’s career and technical education programs and heard how college and career readiness is incorporated throughout the student experience. Waldport teachers also led workshops onAVID, PBIS and mini grant integration, and more.

Oregon GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, helps rural, low-income middle and high schools prepare students for education and training after high school. Its goal is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college, trade school, apprenticeships and other postsecondary programs.

Congratulations to Waldport High School students and staff on this statewide recognition and the opportunity to share their work with educators from across Oregon.