For many high school students, college can feel far away and a little intimidating. But at Potosi High School, some students are getting a head start before they even graduate. Through a partnership with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC), students can take real college courses while still in high school, earning college credit and valuable experience along the way.
One of those students is senior Connor Robbins, who has already earned an Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery technical diploma, a short-term degree offered through SWTC. When the program became available to high school students, Connor saw it as an opportunity he could not pass up.
“When I found out this program was available, I wanted to take advantage of it,” Robbins said. “It’s free for us, and it’s something I’m really interested in.”
Potosi High School covers the cost of up to 15 college credits, saving students and families thousands of dollars in tuition. For Connor, that financial support made the decision even easier.
“It’s nice knowing I can earn college credits without paying for them,” he said. “This gives me a backup plan and real skills I can use after high school.” Connor plans to attend culinary school after high school, and this educational background will benefit him in that pursuit.
Connor didn’t just learn skills in class; he’s already applying them in the real world. Because he earned the Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery diploma, Connor was able to secure a job at a butcher shop in Fennimore. The techniques he learned through SWTC, including proper meat handling and professional cutting methods, prepared him for the expectations of a working butcher shop. Connor said he would not have been able to work there without this diploma, as the training showed employers he already had the skills needed for the job.
The SWTC courses also help students prepare for college by teaching them how to manage college-level workloads, meet deadlines, and communicate with instructors. Students who take these classes often feel more confident and prepared when they graduate.
Programs like this allow students to explore career paths early. Whether students are interested in trades, healthcare, business, or technical fields, dual credit courses help them make informed decisions about their future while saving time and money.
“I like that I already have something to fall back on,” Robbins added. “It makes me feel more confident about what comes next.”
Overall, the partnership between Potosi High School and SWTC gives students a major advantage. They earn free college credits, gain hands-on experience, and build confidence before graduation. For students like Connor Robbins, it’s more than just a class, it’s a real opportunity that opens doors and creates a strong foundation for life after high school.