Covenant Day School September 15, 2015 The Guidance Office

 We all need help with perspective. Let’s remind each other of the importance of seeing the BIG PICTURE in the midst of the day to day.  We are in the middle of a raging river. What are we going to do?  What do you really want for your children?  Listen. Pray. Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment.

WHAT MATTERS…. WHAT REALLY MATTERS….  Grades  Involvement in extra- curricular activities  Getting into a “good” college or university  Fostering a love of exploration, a discipline for problem solving and developing a strong work ethic.  Trying to match up strengths, passions and interests with service.  Discovering God’s plan and where He is leading you to do His Kingdom work.

What’s the difference ? --in the way we parent… --in the way we approach challenges of life… --in the way we celebrate victories… --in the way we define success… --in the way we communicate… --in what we express that we value…

 Walk through 4-year plan (but take it one year at a time)  Discuss Leadership (in areas of interests/passions)  Discuss Service (in areas of interests/passions)  Discuss Depth in Activities (don’t be a mile wide and an inch deep)  Discuss Grades (diligence, time, work ethic should be focus)  Discuss growth & the importance of authenticity (We don’t want students doing things because they “look good to colleges”)

 Pray daily for the Lord’s pursuit of your child(ren) and for opportunities to talk about that which is eternal.  Keep things in perspective. This is a good place for them to fail,--much better than college. Remember that they are not yet who they will be. Thanks be to God.  Live out an authentic, Christian life in front of them including admitting faults, fears and your own life lessons.

All 9 th – 11 th graders take the PSAT – practice, practice, practice! (national merit scholarship contest) -PSAT: (9 th,10 th & 11 th ) Wednesday, Oct.15 th -Practice ACT: (9 th, 10 th 11 th ) Wednesday, Nov. 26 th

 PSAT results are returned in late December. Watch the ENEWS—guidance page for detailed information on how to review the results.  PLAN ACT results are returned in late January. Watch the ENEWS—guidance page for detailed information on how to review the results.  ALSO---BRING PSAT AND PLAN ACT RESULTS TO SPRING GUIDANCE NIGHT FOR A SEMINAR ON HOW TO READ THE RESULTS AND WHAT THEY MEAN! (Monday, March 9 th - Spring Guidance Night)

 See parent guidebook on guidance page for using….Naviance -Family Connection  Freshmen and Sophomores all have their accounts. Parents, you are welcome to get up and running with you account. It is good for research. It will become essential for your son or daughter when applying to colleges.  NOTE: the resume builder is a good tool for organizing information but does NOT produce a good product for distribution.

 People always ask me which one is the most important in regards to getting in to college….  ?Test scores?  ?Grade Point Average?  ?Course Selection?  The answer is: Yes, all three are important.

TEST SCORES!

TESTING FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR:  PSAT—Wednesday, October 15th (no make-up test date option)  Practice ACT—Wednesday, November 26th (no make-up test date option) FALL COLLEGE FAIRS:  Saturday, September 27: Charlotte Independent Schools College Fair will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center from 1:00-3:00 pm. As you arrive at the Convention Center, go to the Covenant Day School table and pick up your nametag. We are hoping that all sophomores, juniors and seniors will be able to attend. Freshmen should wait until next year. Visit for more information. Register online in advance!!!  Monday, September 29: CDS Christian College Fair in the HS gym from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. Christian College representatives from all over the country will be here. Please welcome them.  Monday, September 29: The National Christian College Fair at Charlotte Christian School from 6:30-8:30 pm. Covenant Day School does not have any athletic or fine art events the night of this fair. We have cleared the calendar so that our parents and students are able to attend. I highly recommend that you attend this fair! There are also free admission and financial aid workshops available at the fair. Register online in advance at

What is the key element in helping students make choices in high school about classes, balance in their lives, about growth and even about choosing a college? FIT

What determines a good fit when considering colleges? (important family discussion)

 Academic (grades, test score, intensity  Spiritual/social (theology, rules, campus atmosphere, general campus ethos)  Other factors (location, program, etc.)

The integration of faith, learning and living

 Engaging and discerning today’s culture  Real world experiences – not a “protective bubble”  Interacting with world class authors, speakers, musicians and artists  Helping students answer “Why am I here?” and “What is my purpose?”

We ought to  Be intentional  Be proactive  Be thoughtful  Encourage one another (including parents, students, and educators) to challenge the culture and prevailing mentality about choosing a college

 This philosophy to live, think and approach everything from a biblical perspective is radical and clearly counter-culture.  We don’t naturally think this way. We do have be deliberate to be in the world and not of the world. This may cause us to swim upstream most of our lives.  I think it is important for our students to consider this and have discussions about it.

#1 Comfort #2 Challenge #3 Collaboration

THE THREE C’s Our high school students have a great opportunities to be challenged, opportunities to be comfortable and enjoy a sense of community with peers, faculty, coaches, advisors and administrators. We hope that we help stimulate a collaborative effort for learning and growing where students are held accountable, free to question and encouraged to pursue all truth.

Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives Team of researchers who select a number of colleges per region as Colleges That Change Lives

 Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college. 

200 colleges selected as colleges of distinction based on the following criteria: -Engaged Students -Great Teaching -Vibrant Communities -Successful Outcomes

 This is a website that allows students to search for Christian colleges within the United States. There are approximately 100 colleges and universities from which to search. It’s a great way to narrow the field. 

TESTING FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR:  PSAT—Wednesday, October 15th (no make-up test date option)  Practice ACT—Wednesday, November 26th (no make-up test date option) FALL COLLEGE FAIRS:  Saturday, September 27: Charlotte Independent Schools College Fair will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center from 1:00-3:00 pm. As you arrive at the Convention Center, go to the Covenant Day School table and pick up your nametag. We are hoping that all sophomores, juniors and seniors will be able to attend. Freshmen should wait until next year. Visit for more information. Register online in advance!!!  Monday, September 29: CDS Christian College Fair in the HS gym from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. Christian College representatives from all over the country will be here. Please welcome them.  Monday, September 29: The National Christian College Fair at Charlotte Christian School from 6:30-8:30 pm. Covenant Day School does not have any athletic or fine art events the night of this fair. We have cleared the calendar so that our parents and students are able to attend. I highly recommend that you attend this fair! There are also free admission and financial aid workshops available at the fair. Register online in advance at

 We love getting to know your children and learning how to best serve them.  We are praying for you as parents and for your children.