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Planning Calendar

Not every item on this list applies to every student, but this checklist does provide a good general guideline for your planning process.

Grade 9

  • Beginning in 9th grade, your grades and courses begin to “count”! Your Grade Point Average, courses, grades and credits will become a permanent part of your transcript. This is also a great time to get involved in school and community activities; these will be listed on college applications in the future.
  • Choose courses wisely and do your best.
  • Get to know your school counselor.
  • Group Guidance
  • Set realistic short-term and long-term academic goals.
  • Gather information about yourself. What are you interested in? What are you good at?
  • Take opportunities for early school visits, formal or informal.
  • Find an extra-curricular activity that sparks your interest.  Whether it is a sport, school club, community group, volunteer work or a job; get involved!
  • Document your accomplishments and activities.
  • Read. Reading makes you smarter.  Students who read 5 books over the summer can help reduce the summer slide that occurs when students are not in an academic environment.  The fastest way to improve your vocabulary is to read non-fiction books.

Grade 10

As a sophomore, you should continue to work hard academically as well as to continue to get involved in activities. You should also begin to identify your abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
  • Choose courses wisely and do your best.
  • Get to know your school counselor.
  • Gather information about yourself. What are you interested in? What are you good at?
  • Review the results of your PLAN assessment such as test scores and interest inventory.
  • Take opportunities for early school visits, formal or informal.
  • Continue to get involved in school and community activities.
  • Visit the College and Career Center and learn how to use MCIS.
  • Consider taking the PSAT exam.
  • Group Guidance.
  • Plan summer activities.

Grade 11

Juniors should begin seriously examining their post-secondary options and planning accordingly. Juniors should take college entrance exams, make college visits, and begin searching for scholarships.

Fall

  • Group Guidance
  • PSAT test
  • Gather information about schools throughout year. Some opportunities include:
    • College Fair
    • College Representatives visiting the College and Career Center
    • Selective College Workshop
    • Visit schools (Teachers’ Workshop in October is excellent opportunity).
    • Use MCIS and Naviance for planning and exploring options.

Winter

  • Group Guidance Session
  • Junior Parent Post-High School Planning Night
  • Continue gathering information about yourself and about schools.
  • Continue to use MCIS and Naviance.

Spring

  • Junior Selective College Meeting
  • Group Guidance Session
  • Continue to use MCIS and Naviance.
  • College entrance testing: ACT / SAT I / SAT II
  • Meet with your counselor and your parents to discuss future plans

Summer

  • Visit schools.
  • Plan meaningful summer activities.
  • Prepare for testing, if needed.
  • Narrow the list of college choices.

Grade 12

Senior year is when everything comes together, and you get to see the results of your hard work and planning.
Complete:

Fall

  • Gather additional information about schools (see grade 11).
  • Take college entrance tests, as necessary.
  • Make final school visits (Teachers’ Workshop in October is excellent opportunity).
  • Group Guidance Session
  • Complete your biography/resume/personal profile
  • Meet with your counselor to outline the application process.
  • Provide your profile and help your counselor determine what should be included in his/her letter of recommendation if one will be needed.
  • Request letters of recommendation if needed for college and/or scholarship applications.
  • Get writing assistance if application essays will be necessary.
  • Do online searches for possible scholarship and grant opportunities.
  • Complete school applications, following the procedures outlined by the counseling office. Watch deadlines and allow 15 working days for the counseling staff to complete their parts of the application.

Winter

  • After January 1, complete the FAFSA for financial aid consideration.
  • Pay attention to the many scholarship opportunities published through The Counseling Center.

Spring

  • Make final decisions – then enjoy my last few months of high school!