Salem-Keizer Public Schools will hold a free College and Career Night on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at McKay High School. Students can meet with colleges, trade schools, employers, military recruiters and performing arts programs.

The fair runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at McKay, 2440 Lancaster Dr. NE. Any Oregon high school student and their family can attend, according to the district's announcement.

One senior from each Salem-Keizer high school will be entered in a $500 scholarship drawing.

The evening features a dedicated music and performing arts college fair organized by the Salem-Keizer Public Schools Music Department. Students interested in those fields can speak with representatives from Oregon college programs about admissions, auditions and career paths.

Beyond the arts track, attendees can connect with representatives from colleges and universities, trade and career schools, workforce organizations and military branches.

Salem-Keizer serves about 37,982 students across 65 schools. The district's Class of 2026 produced 3,094 graduates and earned $123.73 million in scholarships, according to district records. Of those graduates, 2,640 were enrolled in Career Technical Education classes.

McKay's graduation rate jumped from 77.6% to 83.1% for the Class of 2025, one of the district's sharpest year-over-year gains, the Salem Business Journal reported in February.

The district's overall four-year graduation rate of 79.7% trailed Oregon's statewide average of 83.0%.

Deputy Superintendent Danielle Neves said in a February district statement on those graduation rates that "graduating our students with the skills and dispositions to thrive in their future endeavors continues to be one of our most important goals."

Admission is free. Families can pre-register at StriveFair.com or sign up at the door. For questions or disability-related accommodations, contact Salem-Keizer College and Career Readiness at 971-900-5356 or [email protected].