How to Prepare Your Tenth-Grade Student for the Rest of High School and Beyond
1. ENCOURAGE YOU STUDENT TO TAKE MORE THAN THE "MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS" NEEDED TO GRADUATE
Many students graduate from high school and enroll in college only to learn they are not academically ready for college-level work. Taking rigorous high school courses will help your student prepare for college and careers.
Talk to the School Counselor about courses that will increase college and career readiness including foreign language and other elective courses.
Encourage and expect your student to take four years of math in high school.
Additional math and science courses are almost always helpful. Any course that improves reading and writing will reinforce important skills.
2. PAY ATTENTION TO PreACT Secure TEST AND KNOW WHAT YOUR STUDENT'S PreACT SCORES MEAN.
The PreACT Secure test is the second of three tests (PreACT 9 Secure, PreACT Secure, and ACT with Writing) that help students prepare for college.
Mark PreACT test dates on a family calendar
Make sure your student eats well and gets enough sleep before the test.
Discuss the importance of the test with your student and encourage him or her to take the test seriously.
When you receive the test scores, talk with the School Counselor and your student to determine the best next steps.
3. HELP YOUR STUDENT LEARN TO BE MORE ORGANIZED
Organization is a key to success. It includes time management and setting priorities.
Model responsible planning by posting a family schedule and to-do list.
Talk with your student about making personal to-do lists.
Maintain family routines (normal sleeping and waking times, meal times, and homework times) that support successful students.
Encourage your student to develop routines for organizing assignments and school materials.
4. ASK YOUR STUDENT ABOUT RESOURCES FOR EXPLORING CAREER OPTIONS
High school is a good time for your student to begin exploring what type of careers might suit her or his interests and strengths.
Encourage your student to check out Career Cruising to explore careers and plan for education: Careercruising.com
Explore with your student opportunities for summer job shadowing to explore careers that might interest him or her.
5. HELP YOUR STUDENT EXPLORE POST-HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
These decisions are too important to leave for the last minute.
Discuss opportunities at public, private, and two year colleges.
Find out where and what older students and other role models are studying.
Look into specialized schools for electricians, auto mechanics, health service providers, hair dressers, computer game designers, and similar fields.
Encourage your student to meet with college representatives when they visit the high school.
Discuss college visit opportunities with your student and Ms. Shute.
6. HELP YOUR STUDENT PLAN FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES
Not only is it practical to start early, but building a plan and saving money is a sign of commitment.
Help your student create an account at fastweb.com, where he or she can create a profile and find scholarships suited to his or her abilities and interests.
Suggest that your student talks to Ms. Shute about local scholarships and check out the counselor’s corner on the schools website for a list of scholarships.
Encourage your student to save toward college and career training.
Alliance for College Readiness, a partnership between Elgin Community College and Community Unit Districts 300, 301, 303, and U-46.