We break down barriers for every student in our region.
For students, place has impact. It can create opportunities, while also posing barriers for success. LaunchNW is committed to meeting the post-high school access needs of all in our region. In pursuit of this mission, LaunchNW is already expanding beyond Spokane County into the communities of Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Future Me
Small towns have career opportunities for young people, but over 75% of jobs in Washington State will require education beyond high school. LaunchNW connects students with the resources they need to explore local career opportunities and pursue the future of their choice.
By the Numbers
Notable data about the opportunities and challenges facing students in rural communities across our region.
$880,000
Awarded in grants for rural communities to build post-high school pathways
120
Students attended LaunchNW’s Junior Summit at Whitworth University in spring 2025
20
Rural high school students awarded a Promise Scholarship since 2023
A Mission for Rural Communities
Students from Dayton, Northport, and Pomeroy High Schools are now eligible for the LaunchNW Promise scholarship and programming has begun to support students in rural communities across the region. Strategies include:
Rural Grants
In 2025, LaunchNW awarded over $880,000 to rural communities across Eastern Washington. These grants focused on building infrastructure and support for rural students to pursue their post-high school education and career of choice. Communities receiving grants included:
Newport School District
$50,000
for events to support families in completing FAFSA and other scholarship applications
Riverside School District
$50,000
to invest in a certified Career and Technical Education welding instructor
Washington State University
$50,000
to implement a mentoring program that models healthcare careers
Republic School District
$50,000
to provide a Natural Resources Pathway in its agricultural program area
With support from a LaunchNW rural grant, Clarkston High School educator Lisa Swanson took her environmental science students on a field trip to Dworshak Dam.
“U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff guided students across the top of the dam, sharing its history, construction, purposes, employment, and recreational opportunities. The field trip gave students hands-on insight into local environmental science, engineering, and resource management.”
Rural Events
Junior Summit
LaunchNW’s Junior Summit invited high school juniors from non-metro communities to explore various pathways after graduation. Hosted in 2025 on Whitworth University’s campus, the Summit convened representatives from local universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programs to connect with students and share advice. Over 120 students participated in the summit, leaving with the tools and insights to think critically about their path beyond high school.
Navigating Together
In 2025, LaunchNW hosted a conference for rural counselors that brought educators and administrators together to share their insights and perspectives on the post-high school experiences of their students. Counselors were introduced to LaunchNW’s resources and programs, including the LaunchNW Navigator Program, that are designed to empower futures within rural school districts.
