This spring, kindergarten students from Washington, Burrowes, Fulton, and Price Elementary Schools walked across a different kind of graduation stage, one that represents both a celebration of curiosity and the beginning of long-term possibility. These students, the latest graduates of the Adopt-A-Kindergarten program, were honored during a special ceremony hosted by Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, capping a year-long partnership that brings hands-on learning to life.
The Adopt-A-Kindergarten program, now in its thirteenth year, is a longstanding partnership between the School District of Lancaster and Thaddeus Stevens College that introduces kindergartners to the world of technical education through early exposure to skilled trades, engineering concepts, and digital technologies. What makes the program so impactful is not only its longevity, but its intentional design, pairing college students and faculty with elementary classrooms in a shared mission to spark curiosity and career awareness.
Throughout the school year, students and faculty from Thaddeus Stevens College visited each participating kindergarten classroom, bringing tools, technology, and real-world expertise. Activities were designed to be fun and interactive, but also purposeful. Whether building miniature structures with nails and hammers, coding basic patterns in an educational game, or exploring how a network connects devices, kindergartners were encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and imagine new possibilities for their future.
The final celebration, a field trip and graduation ceremony at Thaddeus Stevens College, was a culmination of everything they had experienced. On campus, kindergartners rotated through different stations led by college students, including a visit to the Carpentry Technology lab where they got to sand wood, learn about hand tools, and even use a power drill under close supervision. In the Computer Network & Systems Administration program, the students engaged in tech-based games that introduced early coding logic, digital literacy, and basic troubleshooting. These moments were early opportunities to build familiarity with skills that can lead to future careers.
Perhaps most valuable was the mentorship formed between the college and elementary students. By interacting with older students who are actively pursuing careers in technical fields, kindergartners were able to see, up close, what education can look like beyond high school. And for the college students, it was a chance to reflect on their own journeys and to give back by serving as role models and educator.
The graduation ceremony itself was equal parts celebration and inspiration. Students received certificates in recognition of their participation, posed for photos with faculty and college mentors, and toured the campus with eyes wide open. Many asked when they could come back, not realizing that this early experience had already begun laying the foundation for their return one day, not as guests, but as students.
This year also marked the expansion of the program to include Fulton and Price Elementary, growing its reach and further strengthening the commitment between our public schools and local higher education partners. It reflects a shared belief that educational pathways should begin early, and that every child deserves access to meaningful, hands-on learning that connects their interests to real opportunities.
Partnerships like this are the backbone of our work at SDoL. They bring relevance to the classroom and open doors our students might not otherwise know exist. The Adopt-A-Kindergarten program shows that career pathways don’t begin in high school. They start with curiosity, grow with guidance, and are sustained by strong partnerships that keep students engaged every step of the way.