Metro Tech High School is proving that with the right leadership, intentional programming, and a culture rooted in support, students can soar. This year, Metro Tech earned statewide recognition for its outstanding improvement in FAFSA completion, ranking second in the large school category.
At the center of this momentum is Lindsay Holbrook, a dedicated school counselor and instructional leader who has worked tirelessly to create a strong postsecondary-going culture on campus. Under her leadership, college and career readiness have become an integral part of the high school experience.
Lift Off to College: A Schoolwide Commitment
Metro Tech’s “Lift Off to College” campaign is an example of how the school integrates college readiness into everyday learning. Held each August, this week-long event brings representatives from all three Arizona public universities, along with Grand Canyon University and Maricopa Community Colleges, directly to campus. These visits allow students to explore college options and ask questions in a familiar setting.
The results speak for themselves: applications to the University of Arizona increased from 49 to 143 in a single year, with more than 130 students accepted. This progress was made possible through intentional collaboration between Holbrook’s team and CTE instructors, who adjusted their schedules to dedicate class time to postsecondary planning.
Peer Power: Students Supporting Students
Metro Tech’s peer leader program has become one of its most powerful assets in building a college-going culture. Holbrook expanded the team from 14 to 16 student leaders who are trained through the Superintendent Service Corps. These students lead campus events, attend college access summits, and help their peers with essential steps like completing the FAFSA.
One peer leader shared that they helped between 10 and 15 classmates complete the FAFSA. Another supported an entire class. Because many of these peer leaders are first-generation students themselves, their support feels personal and relatable. They connect with their classmates in meaningful ways that build trust and motivation.
Smart and Strategic FAFSA Support
Metro Tech’s culture also provides strong logistical support for students navigating the FAFSA process. Their approach includes lessons on creating FSA IDs in senior English classes, on-campus FAFSA events during the week and on Saturdays, and weekly support from a Be A Leader Foundation representative. Counselors also used data trackers to invite students for one-on-one help during advisory periods. Behind the scenes, peer leaders continued assisting their classmates with this important task.
These efforts helped the school reach a FAFSA completion rate of 55 percent, even amid the challenges of the new FAFSA rollout.
Planning Beyond High School: Building Opportunity
Holbrook’s impact at Metro Tech extends far beyond FAFSA numbers. Her leadership has led to an increase in honors enrollment, growth in dual enrollment programs through ACE, and the creation of an alumni club that supports graduates as they transition into college.
Reflecting on her work as she prepares to move to Bioscience High School, Holbrook said, “Every program we’ve created began with the same questions: What do I want students to know? What do I want them to be able to do? Being intentional has made all the difference.”
In addition, Metro Tech has implemented the GEAR UP Senior Launch Guide in a unique way. Instead of distributing the guide at the beginning of students’ senior year, they now provide it during junior year to give students more time to explore postsecondary options. This year, over 400 Senior Launch Guides have been distributed to Metro Tech students to support their postsecondary journey.
A Foundation of Support and Determination
Metro Tech students are surrounded by a network of support that includes caring educators, trained peer leaders, and a school culture that prioritizes access and opportunity. They have trusted adults who believe in them, peers who walk alongside them, and resources that make college and career planning feel possible.
Holbrook summed it up best: “Our students thrive when we give them the chance. They want what’s good for them, and they will work for it.”
With committed educators like Lindsay Holbrook and a learning environment grounded in encouragement, equity, and opportunity, Metro Tech is not just improving outcomes. It is shaping futures by building on the strength of its students and the community that supports them.