9th Grade Post Secondary Planning “To Do”

All 9th grade planning steps are shown.  High School Planning steps are highlighted.

(Adapted from CollegeInColorado.org)

·         Now that you're in 9th grade, it's time to get serious about your plans for after high school.

By starting early, you'll be better prepared.

Use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page to obtain your Naviance Account Login and Password.

·         If you are at least 13 years old,

sign up for the College Opportunity Fund. If you are eligible, the State of Colorado will pay part of your undergraduate college tuition. The COF Link can be found on the Counseling Resource Web Page.

Log into Naviance and use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page to explore Programs and Majors in Naviance

·         Talk to your school counselor (or teachers, if you don't have access to a school counselor) about the following:


Attending a four-year college or university versus a community college, junior college or trade school
Making sure your high school course plan reflects the career area in which you are interested and meets requirements of the type of college you wish to attend. In general, your schedule should consist of at least four college preparatory classes per year. The college preparatory classes required for most colleges include:
  • 4 years of English
  • 4 years of math (through Algebra II or Trigonometry)
  • 3 years of the same foreign language
  • 3 years of natural science
  • 3 years of history/social studies
  • 1 year of art
  • 1 year of electives from the above list
Review concurrent enrollment or other early access opportunities to get college credit while you are in high school
Using the Student Planner to keep track of your courses and grades
Enrolling in algebra or geometry classes and a foreign language for both semesters (most colleges have math and foreign language requirements)
If you are a student athlete and wish to play sports in college, be sure to check out the NCAA requirements

Log into Naviance and use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page  to Explore career clusters and high school coursework plans in Naviance 

 

 

 

NCAA Eligibility Center

 

Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities

 

Concurrent Enrollment Student Worksheet

·         Don't neglect your study habits!
Keep up the good work, and continue to improve your study skills.

Use the AVID Techniques!

·         If you don't have one, sign up for a 529 college savings account.
If you have an existing account, be sure to add to your savings regularly

 
College Investing


·         Talk to your guidance counselors, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college.
If you're not sure which education option after high school is the best option for you, talk to your counselor.

 

·         Use Your Plan of Study to keep track of your courses and grades.
Invite your counselor to view Your Plan of Study

Use your Naviance Account to keep track of your plan.  

·         Find out about college entrance requirements for the schools you're interested in.

Log into Naviance and use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page

·         Create a file of the following documents and notes:
report cards, lists of awards and honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work.

 

·         Start thinking about the colleges you want to attend.
(Hint: Use our Explore Schools section to look at schools virtually.)

 

·         Ask your guidance counselor about IB and other honors-level courses.

 

·         Continue to get involved in campus and community activities.

 

·         If you didn't take it last year, take the ACT EXPLORE test to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning.
It's good practice and your scores won't count towards your college application.

ACT Explore Website

Getting Ready for College

·         How are you spending your summer?
Volunteering and educational programs can help give you a better idea about what kind of training or career would be right for you

Log into Naviance and use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page

·         College life can be a big change — you're on your own!

Try taking some steps towards independence this year, perhaps with more responsibility around your house. You may even want to find volunteering opportunities that might align to a career that you are interested in pursuing.

 

·         Start searching for scholarship opportunities.
Several scholarships exist that are open to underclassmen. For the scholarships that you cannot yet apply for, you can find out what the requirements will be and work toward them.

See the Scholarship Section of the EHS Web Page

·         If your schedule permits, stay involved in school, community and job activities

Remember to keep up with your Interscholastic and Volunteering Requirements. – 20 hours per year

Volunteering opportunities for required forms can be found within the Counseling Tab on the EHS’ Web Page.