11th

Junior Guidance

Each school year, grade level students meet at least once with their Grade Level Assistant Principal to formulate their individual student educational plan to discuss graduation requirements, credit status, postsecondary goals, and college preparation if a student chooses to apply to college their senior year. 

Administration also visits all grade level students in early spring semester to help navigate class registration for the following school year.

College & Career Counselor visits grade level classrooms to provide informative presentations. Juniors receive lessons on college and career planning and preparation, understanding their transcript, reviewing college admission tests, scholarships and financial aid, and preparing for senior year. 

College bound Juniors!

Junior year of high school is usually the most difficult. Not only is it the year in which you take your toughest classes, but it’s also the year in which talk about college prep is the most intense. But don’t worry; you still have time to do what you need to do. Continue to meet with your counselor and ask questions to make sure you’re academically secure to graduate high school. You can also make sure you know the academic requirements for the colleges and universities you might want to attend and see if you are academically secure for those, too. What’s more, you can attend college fairs and narrow down your choices, you can visit and tour them, you can apply for scholarships and job shadow, you can update your résumé, and you can talk to your parents about finances. Your junior year is also when you can take and/or retake the ACT and SAT. That’s a lot to do, but your teachers and counselors know about your to-dos and are ready to help and cheer you on.

By the end of the year, you should have a pretty good idea of your top colleges of choice and maybe an idea of your desired career. Your junior year can be stressful, but these steps can help it feel more manageable.

• Meet with your school counselor at the beginning of each 9-weeks

  • During the first meeting review your grades from the previous year

    • Find out what your current GPA is

    • Ask if you’re on track to graduate on time

    • Inquire about local scholarships

    • Decide when to take the SAT/ACT

• Re-visit your college list and try and narrow it down to a top 10

• Attend college fairs

• Consider job-shadowing a few professionals working in your dream career

• Apply for some scholarships

• Visit colleges from your list and start reaching out to admission counselors for more information

• Take the SAT and/or ACT (each more than once)

• Sit down with your parents to talk about finances and commitments

• Practice for the SAT &/or ACT Exams

• Update your activity résumé or brag sheet at the end of the year

• Make summer plans

  • Re-access and review your chosen career path

  • Visit colleges 

  • Consider getting a Summer job

  • Earn community service hours by volunteering

  • Job shadow a professional

• At the end of the year narrow down your college list to top 7 schools

• Brainstorm college essay topics and create outlines

-Excerpt from Colleges of Distinction