For most of you, your kids are approaching the mid-part of the school year.  This is a key time to assess grades, discuss room for improvement and develop a plan to end the year on a high note.  Take some time to make phone calls to teachers and school counselors for any next steps. Make sure you connect with other outside resources for guidance as well.

In regards to post-secondary planning (college, military, or employment), here are some easy steps that should be taken to get ready for the next year:

9th Grade

• Meet with your counselor to talk about your grades, courses for next year that are based on your graduation goals and career interests.
• If you are considering attending a vocational or technical school, understand that you are preparing for a career in that area after high school.
• Considering college? Two years of the same world language is required at most four-year colleges/universities.
• Attend college fairs at your school or in your area.
• Identify subjects that you enjoy and have a strength in to explore careers associated with that subject.
• Talk to your counselor about summer Enrichment programs in February.
• Attendance is important to success in school. Go to school every day.

10th Grade

• Plan next year’s courses to reflect your interests, school progress, and emerging career plans.
• Consider taking SAT Subject tests in your major courses if you are considering selective colleges and if you are getting A’s and B’s in classes.
• Challenge yourself with Honors or Advanced Placement courses, if you are recommended.
• Advanced Placement courses are high school courses that you can get college credit after taking the AP test and receive a 3, 4 or 5.
• Attend an AP Potential day or evening Programs if you are recommended.
• Create a College Board account and review the questions that you answered incorrectly on the PSAT to improve SAT scores.
• Review your credits to make sure that you are on task to graduate on time.
• Make sure that you are maintaining good relationships with your teachers.  You may need to ask for recommendations in your senior year.
• Attendance is important to college admissions and to future employers.

11th Grade

• Meet with your counselor to review PSAT results and register for a spring SAT or ACT.  Decide which test is the best option for you.
• Meet with your counselor to discuss academic progress and course selection for next year. Senior year needs to be just as strong.
• Consider Honors, Advanced Placement(AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses to add rigor to your transcript if you are recommended and have good grades.
• Do a college search and begin thinking about the kind of college that will fit your needs.
• Request information from colleges, technical and trade schools
• Consider career goals as you select classes (i.e. interested in nursing take lots of science classes)
• Take the SAT II (Subject Test), if you plan to apply to selective colleges or universities.
• Take the AP test if you took an AP class this Year; scoring a 3, 4 or 5 can grant you college credit.
• Begin a “serious” college search and schedule campus visits during spring break.
• Begin a list of colleges that you have an interest in that match your GPA and SAT scores.
• Save essays or other writing samples used for college applications.
• Learn how to ask the important questions for college admissions.

 

12th Grade

• Decide if you are going to take the SAT or ACT again to increase your score.
• Complete a resume if you are considering employment after graduation.
• Meet with College and Career Counselor for Employment and Interviewing tips.
• Check the Job Board in the Guidance Office for Job opportunities.
• Boys 18 years old should register with the selective services. Financial Aid will not be administered until you do register!
• Attend job fairs.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you haven’t already. Attend any FAFSA Completion events in the area to get assistance.
• Follow-up at the colleges where applications were sent to ensure a completed application needed for review or if you have not heard yet.
• Complete regular decision applications with February deadlines.

• Make sure you have received admissions letters to all colleges that you have applied to.
• Keep your grades up!  Colleges have the option of rescinding your offer if there is a dramatic decline in grades!
• Review and compare Financial Aid packages before committing to any school.  Visit your school counselor for advice.
• Maintain contact with Armed Services representatives.
• Seek and apply to Employment positions available.
• May 1st deadline college deposit is the national deposit deadline.  You do not have to commit to ANY college prior to that date.
• Take your scholarship letters that you accepted and your college intent letter to your counselor.

 

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