Many students attend college following graduation, but for those who don't pursue a college career, the school is still supportive.

Joanne Coppola wears many hats at Tombstone High School.

She is the career technology educator, the librarian and the senior homeroom adviser.

But she also preps students for the real world outside of high school.

She keeps in touch with the alumni and keeps tabs of what they do after high school.

Coppola said based on figures from last year's graduating class, 22 went to college, 23 went straight to the workforce, seven joined the military and seven others "are not doing anything."

She said Tombstonians end up at both big and little institutions of higher learning.

While some went to the University of Arizona and Arizona State University others are at Apria and Cochise colleges.

Just as the type of schools range, so does the type of jobs the grads have landed.

Coppola said after leaving Tombstone High School some students went into the construction and fast food industries.

Some of the students stay in Tombstone and work at Big Nose Kate's, in the marshal's office or even for the school district, she said.

Sticking to the theme of diversity, the graduates have filled into various military venues – the Navy, the Air Force, the Army and the Marines.

So, why does it matter what students do after college?

The director of communications at the University of Arizona's School of Education, Ana Terrazas, said a college degree is a definite advantage.

"If you want success with your career you have to go to college," Terrazas said.

She added that as more and more students head to college, it becomes more and more of a necessity.

"Going to college now is similar to what getting a high school diploma was 30 to 40 years ago," Terrazas said.

And she said it can have a big effect on the pocketbook too.

"The salary rate difference between a student who earns a college degree and someone who only receives a high diploma is tremendous," Terrazas said.

U.S. Census Bureau statistics housed on Earnmydegree.com show that the average annual earnings for college graduates is $52,200 compared to a yearly $23,400 for people who only have a high school diploma.

Coppola acknowledged that various factors affect a student's ability to head straight to college or into the workforce after graduation.

For example, Coppola said a former student from the Class of 2009 had a baby soon after graduation.

"So, many of our students who are not in college or don't have a job, have a reason," Coppola said.

Coppola said the school tries its best to encourage the various paths students choose.

"Our goal is not only to make students prepared for college, but for any career path they may want or choose," Coppola said.

Coppola said in 2005 the school began a program to improve graduation rates.

The overall goal, however, was to improve the rates by providing a mentor to help improve AIMS test scores.

The school also provided students with math and language review
sessions and gave students information to inform them of their post-high school career and educational options.

Coppola said she's not sure what rates were before the program started.
But she said, "I definitely think that because of this program more of our graduates are either working, going to college, or going into the military."