At the end of her eighth grade year, Gaby Tellez changed her focus. When she started eighth grade her report card was chalk-full of Fs. She soon realized she had the opportunity to graduate high school and attend college.

While Idaho graduation rates are high, it ranks a dismal 40th in students who make it through college. The culture in Canyon County needs to change, local principals say, because a high school diploma doesn’t cut it any longer.