October Issue

October has been a lively and productive month in the High School! From seniors making tremendous strides in their university applications to the smooth administration of the PSAT/NMSQT across Grades 9–11, our students continue to impress us with their focus and resilience.

In this issue, we’ll celebrate the hard work of our seniors through the Counselor Course and College Application Bootcamp, highlight our ongoing and upcoming grade-level programming, and share resources on professional learning and recommended books for parents and students alike. We’ll also remind families of important expectations in the university admissions process, including honoring Early Decision commitments.

As always, we aim to keep you informed, connected, and engaged in your child’s journey — and to celebrate the many ways our Dragons are thriving this fall.

University Admission Update

We want to congratulate our seniors on their focus and determination through both the Counselor Course and the College Application Bootcamp. Their energy and commitment were evident, and we are proud of the progress they are making. The slide deck we used in the Counselor Course is available on the Grade 12 Teneen Page for families who wish to review the material. The code to access the page is: RG4D-DCW5-JNT9Z.

As families navigate the application process, we want to underscore the importance of honoring Early Decision agreements. These commitments are binding, and we encourage all families to read your school’s specific Early Decision Agreement as well as the recent New York Times piece highlighting the expectations placed on students at Tulane University and Colorado Academy. Integrity in this process is paramount.

Parents are also reminded to check the daily updated list of upcoming university visits. These visits offer students invaluable opportunities to connect directly with admissions officers. Finally, for those still considering standardized testing, a limited number of SAT administrations remain this academic year. Please plan accordingly.

Reminder of Transcript Requests & Deadlines

Gentle reminder that applying to university is a student-owned process. Only students can access the transcript request form, and it is available exclusively through their ASD email address.

Please stay in close communication with your child to ensure deadlines are confirmed and clearly communicated. Counselors will submit transcripts only to the universities listed on the request form, according to the deadlines indicated there.

Please note: transcript requests must be submitted at least 10 school days before the university deadline. While student applications do not need to be fully complete at that time, counselors must know of the student’s intention to apply at least 10 school days prior.

By signing the ASD University Application Agreement Form, both students and parents acknowledge and agree to these expectations and responsibilities. This ensures clarity, accountability, and smooth processing of all university applications.

Counselor Courses

Each grade level has a dedicated “course,” designed to meet students where they are in their high school journey. In the fall, we focus on Grades 9 and 12, while in the spring, our emphasis shifts to Grades 10 and 11. Senior Counselor Course concludes this week after 6

The Grade 9 Counselor Course will begin shortly, focusing on transitions, well-being, and the creation of four-year academic plans. We will also introduce our safeguarding practices to ensure students understand the structures in place to support them.

Parents are encouraged to remind students to attend each scheduled session, which will occur during their free or study blocks. Attendance is taken, and repeated absences may result in the loss of privileges such as late arrival, early dismissal, and study hall access. For us as counselors, these sessions are among the most treasured moments we share with students, as they allow us to connect in meaningful, intentional ways

Professional Learning and Development

If you are looking for something new to read, please take a peek at two picks currently garnering a lot of attention. Dr. Yeager's "10 to 25" is the book of choice for the Middle School/High School joint Counselor Coffee event in the Spring. The book is currently available for loan in the MS/HS Library. More recently, a new volume by Jeffrey Selingo was published just a few weeks ago. His new project "Dream School" promises to offer actionable ways to find the school that's best for you.

We are hopeful that this year will be the best one yet, and we look forward to partnering and collaborating with you in the months ahead.

In this issue, we share highlights from our first Counselor Coffee, provide an overview of this month’s University Programming (including University Night, the Senior Counselor Course, and transcript request procedures), celebrate our newest Dragons at a community breakfast, and share important details about the upcoming PSAT.