High School - Things to Know
High School is considered the last stretch to the finish line for K-12. At this stage, parents may need to push back and allow their child to step up to the plate of responsibility. However, it's important to stay involved in what they are doing and connect with their teachers and counselor. It is still important to speak to your child about setting goals and finding a system to stay on track. Stay involved as much as possible with events the school offers to keep you informed and actively participating.
*Note: Even though the wording in the High School section is directed toward the student for them to act, be responsible and take ownership, it is highly suggested that parents be aware of any needs and assist the student through the process. Parents often back away to give their children more freedom, but they still require guidance outside of school to succeed. Make sure to work on the goals listed below with your child and hold them accountable. Help them track their progress and guide them in taking the initiative.
High School
Overview: 9 - 12
• Meet with your school guidance counselor to review your graduation plan while focusing on your career plan. This is your map towards meeting graduation requirements and preparing for your future. Some career paths offer certifications where you can go straight into the workforce out of high school, allowing you to make a pretty good living.
• Understand how to read your transcript and how your rank and GPA are calculated.
• Meet with your teachers to assess where you are and what strategies can be helpful to use to help you grow.
• Identify academic areas where you need help and create action steps for improvement. Check progress reports, report cards and meet with your teachers and counselor to set improvement goals/ stay on track.
• Find out about tutoring times offered through your school.
• Set aside time daily for learning after school. Make sure to complete homework and turn it in by the deadline. Check your backpack or binders for work with no grades, missing work, and failed assignments that need to be revised.
• Choose to eat healthy and participate in physical activity. Set goals to practice healthy habits as a family. Find an accountability partner to keep you on track.
• Identify people at school and in your community who you can seek for help.
• Continue working on developing good listening and communication skills.
• Continue working on goal setting and brainstorming strategies to assist in accomplishing these goals.
• Practice GRIT – don’t give up when things seem difficult; keep trying.
• Have good personal hygiene and grooming. This will come in handy for job interviews and help you be successful in life.
• Refer to online learning websites to understand difficult concepts and build knowledge in classes you are struggling in. You will find helpful websites in the Learning Websites section.
• Take career assessments. You will find helpful websites in the Career Exploration & Assessments section.
• Prepare for college assessments. Begin preparing for SAT, ACT, and TSI. Studying 3 - 5 hours per week can make a big difference later.
• Practice good communication skills. You must speak up and advocate for yourself. This will be important in high school and beyond. Even when you speak up for what you believe is right, do so in a respectful way that doesn’t diminish others.
• Continue working on financial literacy. Find a job, speak to your parents about ways to make money, and seek help creating a personal budget to save. Speak to your parents about the household budget to better understand expenses and balance money. You will find helpful websites in the Life Skills section.
• Find opportunities to volunteer within your school, church, or community.
• Begin thinking about colleges and narrowing down career choices. Look up colleges you are interested in to know the qualifications and requirements to get accepted. Look at the degree plans they offer to make sure they align with your future goals.
• Make sure you and your family have a financial plan to pay for college. Search for scholarships. Go to college fairs that the school offers. You will find helpful websites in the College & Scholarships section.
9th Grade
• Make sure you have met Grade 9 state standards for Writing, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, and all other required subjects. If you are struggling, seek help from teachers and find out what programs the school offers.
• Meet with your school guidance counselor to discuss participation in pre-college programs like Dual Enrollment and UT OnRamps. Ask them about Advanced Placement courses as they review your transcript to see if any of these options would be a good option for you to consider.
• You may also look into Trio programs like Upward Bound and Talent Search that assist with preparing students for college and beyond.
• Find a family member, community leader, or teacher to serve as your mentor.
• Explore your interests by completing a career assessment to determine possible career fields. You will find helpful websites below in the Career Exploration & Assessments section.
• Take good notes and review them.
• Keep a weekly journal of assignments. Keep a calendar of events for all of your activities, work, and things to do.
• Identify academic areas you need to improve, seek help immediately and create action steps to improve with your teacher or counselor.
• Look for study resources. You will find helpful websites in the Learning Websites & Resources section.
• Participate in a study group.
• Get involved in clubs, sports, and volunteer organizations that interest you.
• Keep a digital folder of your commendable projects, assignments, work, and awards.
• Begin researching and applying for scholarships. Set up your profile. You will find helpful websites in the College & Scholarships section.
• Take an interest inventory and career assessment. You will find helpful websites in the Career Exploration & Assessments section.
• Take the TSI to enroll in dual credit classes.
• Analyze how the world is constantly changing, and use facts to make well-informed decisions.
10th Grade
• Make sure you have met Grade 10 state standards for Writing, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, and all other required subjects. If you are struggling, seek help from teachers and find out what programs the school offers.
• Continue taking courses that challenge you and fit your needs.
• Continue meeting with your counselor, reviewing and updating your graduation and career plan. Figure out which courses follow your career pathway and make adjustments if possible.
• Stay involved in clubs, sports, and volunteer organizations that interest you.
• Continue thinking about your dream career, and talk to your counselor or College & Career Advisor about possibilities. Learn about different professions through research and asking trusted adults.
• Sit down with your parents and discuss how much they can contribute to your college education.
• Keep up with your binder for your high school report cards, projects, transcript, achievements, and volunteer work.
• Continue good study habits.
• Start making a list of teachers you can ask for recommendations.
• Attend college fairs and prepare for tests.
• Apply for a job with your parent's permission, even if it's just for the summer.
• Keep a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
• Research college requirements and make sure you are on track.
• Take the PSAT.
• Continue preparing for the SAT/ACT.
• Analyze how the world is constantly changing, and use facts to make well-informed decisions.
11th Grade
• Make sure you have met Grade 11 state standards for Writing, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, and all other required subjects. If you are struggling, seek help from teachers and find out what programs the school offers.
• Continue taking courses that challenge you and fit your needs.
• Run for an officer or leadership position in your extracurricular activities and organizations.
• Continue researching information and seeking advice about colleges and careers that would be a great fit for you.
• Research scholarships and summer intern opportunities.
• Become familiar with financial aid and college admission requirements.
• Continue making a plan to save and pay for college.
• Talk to recruiters and take the ASVAB.
• Take test prep courses and study for the SAT and ACT.
• Take the SAT or ACT in the spring. Some schools offer school-wide SAT/ACT testing, so find the dates and grade levels that can test for free.
• Learn the minimum standards for top-pick colleges, including SAT and ACT scores.
• Continue to prepare for college.
• Determine short-term and long-term financial goals and plans, including income, spending, saving, and investing.
• Know your rights and freedoms as well as obligations and responsibilities as a citizen.
12th Grade
• Make sure you have met Grade 12 state standards for Writing, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, and all other required subjects. If you are struggling, seek help from teachers and find out what programs the school offers.
• Place senior events and updates on your calendar (phone/planner). You don't want to miss any deadlines or activities you want to participate in.
• Continue taking courses that challenge you and fit your needs.
• Earn a leadership role in extracurricular activities and organizations.
• Attend college nights, college fairs, and other informative events.
• Retake the SAT and ACT if necessary (TSI for Community Colleges).
• Make a calendar for scholarships and application deadlines. Make sure you apply on time. Keep track of everything (scholarships, college applications, emails, and letters sent to save copies). You should keep a folder of everything
• Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, etc.
• Complete the FAFSA online.
• Meet with your counselor to request official transcripts to send to colleges.
• Talk to recruiters and take the ASVAB (note that you can take the ASVAB in the 10th/11th grade, depending on the branch of service).
• Make a decision on which college you are going to attend.
• Finalize housing plans and submission materials.
• Make sure you have mapped out plans. If you are still struggling, set up a meeting with your counselor to review options.
• Get ready to walk the stage for graduation.
• Make sure to register to VOTE!
CTE Programs of Study - Texas
Programs of Study allow students to learn skills that prepare them for life beyond high school. Through Endorsements and Pathways, students can get hands-on training and skills to prepare them for future career options. Depending on what your child's district offers, your child could come out of high school with a license or certification that will allow them to get a job in this profession and start their career after graduating. Connect with your child's counselor to learn more about what the district offers that could benefit your child.
Test Prep for PSAT/SAT/ACT/TSI
Many students struggle with low ACT and SAT scores, which are a big key in not only getting accepted into college but are just as important in getting scholarships. Setting aside a few hours weekly to prepare for testing to increase your score is important. The earlier, the better. You don’t have to wait until high school to begin preparing.