All of the 19 graduates in this year's senior class at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City have their immediate futures planned.
The group that graduated Saturday morning has 17 college or trade school bound members, one going to the military and the other into the national guard.
As this group departs, the future of the school looks bright.
"We'll have 27 freshmen coming in, and that should get us to around 135 students as we start next year," said Executive Director John Engelbrecht. "I think those that come here are finding we have a caring environment with a family atmosphere that you can't find at other schools."
This year's class also included the school's first National Merit Scholar winner, Valedictorian Olivia Howard.
"We've had candidates but never one to be a winner, so we're very excited," Engelbrecht said.
Among those graduating was Caleb Ashlock, who will be attending Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla where he plans to take courses that will help him begin a career in cyber security.
"I love Calvary," he said. "It was my first choice of where to go for high school. I got to know everyone, and they all became part of my family. I'm glad I went here."
Hannah Pond and Kara Bernskoetter are both headed to the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Bernskoetter plans to study finance, while Pond intends to double major in criminal justice and psychology.
"I was only here a year, but everyone was so welcoming to me." Pond said. "That was so important for a new person like me coming in to a new school."
Bernskoetter said, "I've been here all four years, and I can't say enough about the teachers.
"They are more like family. They really care about your success."