WOODBURY—Nonnewaug, an agricultural school that accepts students from over a dozen surrounding towns, sends its seniors throughout the country after graduation. Among the class of 2024, 83% of senior students in Nonnewaug enrolled in college. While 24% went to trade or a two year program, 59% went to four years.
With so many NHS students enrolling in colleges, navigating the decision of what’s next is especially daunting.
“Every college offers its pros and cons,” Gianna Lodice, a Nonnewaug ‘24 graduate says. “I would say it was definitely difficult finding a school that was perfectly suited for me.”
Some Nonnewaug freshmen know exactly what they want to do from the moment they step foot on campus. Some discover it while in college– or even after. With the help of the agriculture program, a student can make an informed decision regarding entering a four- to eight-year college or a trade school.
“I also think the ag program offers some of our students a hands-on programming and so for some of our students that kind of learning is more important,” says Kathy Green, CRRC Coordinator.
Courses like mechanics and engineering offer students unique experiences to learn about classes they make consider exploring in college.
“I knew from the beginning I wanted to do the mechanic ag class,” said Drew Dugan, a senior. “It was what I grew up around, it’s basically the only thing at the school I have interest in.”
The choice of finding a college that is just right for you can be difficult as every person is different and needs different things. If you’re going to college for a large campus experience, UConn is a great choice. If you’re going to a college that is affordable, Connecticut State is a good choice as every Connecticut student can go to community college for the first two years for free.
Since every student is different, Nonnewaug trains students for a wide range of professions. In 2024, seven students joined the military, 12 attended UConn, and 21 attended Connecticut State. For students looking for academic achievement, NHS has produced over 30 Ivy League acceptances over the last decade.
“My decision about where I wanted to go was influenced by the accounting classes I took and other related courses,” States Savannah Lionhood, a senior. She plans to attend UConn fall of ‘25. Her career goals are to work in business or finance.
Many students’ decisions on where and why to pursue a future job are influenced by their families.
“I chose it not only because of its amazing academics, but because of its student life,” Skylar Chung, a 2024 senior who is currently enrolled at the University of Georgia. “My older brother also attends UGA which made the choice easier.”
Picking a college can have very different aspects depending on a wide variety of decision making factors.
“Some students might even gain acceptance to these very competitive schools,” Green said. “But some decision making takes place based on finance and other factors.”
