A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the insights provided by the college and career counselor, who has been instrumental in running an annual early college and career planning program for nearly 15 years. The counselor emphasized the importance of engaging students in discussions about their future educational and career paths as early as ninth grade.

The counselor outlined the school’s cyclical counseling approach, which specializes counselors in specific grade levels to provide tailored support. For ninth graders, this involves transitioning from middle school to high school and establishing good habits that will be beneficial throughout their academic careers. Sophomores are guided to build on these habits, with an emphasis on career exploration incorporated into their coursework.

To further support early college planning, the school has scheduled group sessions through physical education classes for freshmen, slated for December. These sessions aim to introduce all students to the concepts of college and career planning before the holiday break. For sophomores, the focus will be on integrating career exploration into their history classes.

The meeting also addressed the use of the SCORE program, a tool recommended to help students organize their college searches and keep track of their interests in colleges and majors. The program is designed to become a routine part of students’ academic lives, assisting them in making informed decisions about their educational futures.

A critical aspect of the meeting was the discussion on the importance of extracurricular activities and their role in college admissions. Ninth graders are encouraged to explore various clubs and activities to find those that align with their interests. By the time students reach their junior year, they are advised to focus on a few meaningful pursuits rather than a long list of activities, as colleges value depth of involvement over superficial breadth.

The meeting transitioned to the topic of standardized testing and financial planning for college. It was noted that while most ninth and tenth graders are unlikely to take the SATs, preparation for these exams typically begins in their junior year. The school provides resources such as free online tools for test preparation and encourages families to engage in discussions about the financial aspects of higher education, including the potential benefits of starting at a community college.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted upcoming college and career planning events, including a virtual program featuring admissions officers and a county college fair in March, which will offer students the chance to engage with representatives from around 150 institutions.

An interesting point discussed was the evolving landscape of post-high school plans, with a growing number of students considering alternatives to traditional four-year colleges. The school has seen success in encouraging students to explore community college pathways, trade and technical schools, and direct employment opportunities. Such options highlight the importance of open communication between students, families, and counselors, who play a role in guiding students through these decisions.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with counselors, using tools like the counseling web page and SCORE to stay informed about college and career planning. The speaker encouraged students to document their extracurricular activities carefully, as this information is vital when applying to colleges.