Colville High School Offers Seniors a Headstart with New Career Program 

Colville School District is offering seniors an opportunity to earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before they graduate. The new program, which launched in January, is already helping local students explore a high-demand career while saving both time and money, something school leaders say is becoming increasingly important as students prepare for life after high school. Superintendent Kevin Knight said the district saw an opportunity to connect students with a practical and in-demand skill that benefits both the students and the broader community. “Any skills we can give them when they leave our school will help them in their future,” Knight said. 

To make the program possible, Knight said the district partnered with Drive 509, a CDL training company based in Spokane, and worked alongside other districts, including Newport and Garfield-Palouse. Through this partnership, students complete the classroom portion of CDL training during the school day as part of a regular class. Matt Bateman, Colville High School’s assistant principal and Career and Technical Education director, said students attend the course just like any other period, logging in daily to work through the CDL curriculum with a certified instructor while learning alongside students from neighboring districts.

One of the biggest advantages of the program, according to the school district, is the time it saves. Bateman said that, traditionally, CDL training includes about two weeks of classroom instruction followed by several weeks of driving practice. By completing the coursework during the school year, students are able to skip that first portion after graduation and focus only on the hands-on driving experience. He added that  the process is much shorter and more manageable, allowing students to enter the workforce more quickly. 

The program also aims to ease the financial burden. CDL training can typically cost between $4,000 to $6,000; but through the district’s partnership, families are generally responsible only for the driving portion, which runs just over $3,000. Bateman said that, for many students, that savings makes a meaningful difference, especially for those who were already planning to pursue a CDL after graduation. In addition to classroom learning, students are gaining valuable hands-on experience. According to Bateman, Drive 509 instructors visit Colville High School with a semi truck, allowing students to practice skills such as pre-trip inspections, air brake checks, and safety procedures, right on campus. Students can also take field trips to training locations, where those who have earned their permits may have the opportunity to get behind the wheel. Plans are also in place to bring a driving simulator to Colville in the future, giving students another way to build confidence before driving on the road, Bateman said. 

So far, approximately nine Colville seniors are participating in the program, with around 20 students involved across all partnering districts. Bateman said student interest has been strong in its first year, and the program has been several years in the making. 

He credited Newport School District Career and Technical Education Director Sariah Pierce for helping bring the idea to life, along with strong community support that helped spark the initial concept. 

Looking ahead, the district hopes to continue offering the CDL program and expand similar opportunities for students. Knight said the goal is to keep building programs that give students real world experiences while also supporting workforce needs in the community.