Navigating the High School Process October 7, 2013

What’s Important? 7 th grade final report card 8 th grade first trimester report Leadership roles Activities Service

Choosing the Right High School List all the schools you want your child to attend Contact friends, neighbors, graduates and ask questions Visit the web site Look at the entrance requirements, scholarships, tuition, financial aid, transportation, academics

Questions to Ask What are the required courses? Are there AP courses in every discipline? Can you share last year’s AP results? What are the average SATs or ACTs of your seniors? What % of your graduating classes get accepted to the college of their first choice? What were the colleges that last year’s seniors were accepted?

More Questions to Ask If my child is struggling, is there extra help? Are teachers available before/after school? How do you meet the emotional needs of students? Does the school have everything you are looking for?

Cost of a High School Education Tuition Transportation extra? Books extra? Extra-curricular fees? Academic scholarships? (How many? Amounts?) Financial aid? What % receives it? What is the average award? Do I qualify?

Transportation Do you have buses? From what locations? What time is a.m. pick-up? What time do buses leave in the p.m.? Access to public transportation? Do students drive? Is there a secure lot? Are there other students from my location attending?

Application Process Deadlines Entrance exam Essay – varies according to school

Presenting Options

Organize Your Calendar (or make an excel spreadsheet!) Open house Entrance exam Admission application Financial aid application Essay due Shadow day Personal interview Decisions of the Admission Office Registrations (deposits) due

Keep a journal or make a check list Shadow days and open houses help a student to learn if a school is a good fit!