College &
Career Readiness

Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce Begins Today

Hillsborough Education Foundation is dedicated to ensuring all students have equitable access to high-quality education, preparing them for postsecondary opportunities, careers, and lifelong success. We provide essential tools and resources that foster academic growth and real-world skills, empowering students to achieve their full potential. By investing in their success today, we help build a strong talent pipeline for a thriving and prosperous Tampa Bay in the years to come.

From Vision to Reality

SCOPE (Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration) officially launched in Fall 2022 at King High School with a clear mission: to level the playing field for students by providing in-school, personalized support to navigate their postsecondary journey.

Through SCOPE, students receive one-on-one coaching that helps them explore college, technical college, and career pathways. Coaches guide students through the process of creating individualized post-graduation success plans, completing college applications, applying for financial aid such as FAFSA and Bright Futures, and preparing for SAT/ACT testing. For students interested in skilled trades or technical certifications, SCOPE also offers support in navigating those pathways and earning workforce credentials.

The success at King laid the foundation for expanding the program. Between 2022 and 2025, SCOPE opened at four additional sites: Brandon, Spoto, Lennard, and East Bay High Schools. At each of these schools, SCOPE has made a measurable impact—connecting students with resources, opening doors to opportunities they hadn’t considered, and helping them take real steps toward meaningful futures.

SCOPE’s Impact

SCOPE has become more than just a resource center—it’s a trusted space where students find support, guidance, and encouragement to plan for life after graduation. From freshmen just beginning to explore their interests to seniors finalizing college applications or preparing for trade certifications, the program has become an important part of the high school experience for many.

“They [SCOPE staff] answered a lot of my questions about college and how they transitioned to their next path. They touched on what I need to do to be successful and were very open to my questions.”

– Don’Trevius Gadson, Spoto High
(pictured left)

“I have a better understanding of what steps I need to take to achieve my professional ambitions.”

– King High Senior
(A Men on the Move panel discussion pictured right)

Expansion to all 29 Hillsborough County Public High Schools

Building on the program’s success, HEF and Hillsborough County Public Schools announced that SCOPE will expand to all 29 traditional public high schools in the district during the 2025-2026 school year, allowing students at every high school the opportunity to access personalized college and career planning.

“I am looking forward to having SCOPE on our campus well into the future. My hope, as a lifelong educator, is that it will be a presence on campuses across Hillsborough County and be available to my 4-year-old granddaughter when she attends high school.”

– Dr. Greg Basham, King High Principal, at EmpowerED 2023
(Dr. Basham’s hope has become reality with the program now serving all 29 high schools in Hillsborough County)

A Continued Commitment

As SCOPE transitions to full implementation across the district, HEF will continue to play a vital role as a strategic partner. This includes providing technical and logistical support to HCPS, maintaining consistency in program delivery, and facilitating partnerships with school staff and community organizations that enhance the student experience.

This next phase represents more than just growth—it’s a reaffirmation of HEF’s belief that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their potential, no matter their background or circumstances.