A high school student becomes an upperclassman in the 11th grade. A junior's school life demands increase with more challenging classes, a busier schedule (often with a job), taking on leadership roles in school activities, and planning for life after graduation. Listed below are common events and milestones for a student in their first year of high school. Some are required for everyone (R) like registering for classes, some are optional but encouraged (O) like joining a club or signing up for Project Rise, and some may be only for EL students or completed in a different year because of their EL status (EL). Generally you can join a club/activity at any point during the year. Registration for sports begin prior to the season starting.

Semester 1

• Start Essex Program (O)

Students who applied to the Essex Tech Program will start their 2-year program this year.

• Club, activity, and fall/winter sport signups/registration (O)

Find the current list of clubs/activities here and information on sports here.

• Yearbook Photos (R)

If you want to be part of BHS history and be in the yearbook every year, make sure to get your photo taken at the beginning of the year! A yearbook is a book that is published once a year and that contains information and photos about the events and achievements of the previous year as well as individual photos of every student. It is created by students at BHS (maybe even you!). Yearbooks from previous years are in the High School Library and even digital version are viewable at the Beverly Public Library.

• Take Standardized Tests for University Admission (ACT/SAT)

Most students who want to go to university need to take either the ACT or SAT test. Some universities require a minimum score on these tests to be able to attend. If you are worried about taking this class as an English Learner, talk with your guidance counselor about your plans for after graduation and she can find a solution for you to help you with this requirement.

• Annual ACCESS test (EL)

Our yearly ACCESS test occurs (outside of the Covid pandemic) in January. Students are tested over four days on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This test is required for all English Learners and is extremely important! Find more information on our EL page here.

Semester 2

• Club, activity, and spring sport signups/registration (O)

Find the current list of clubs/activities here and information on sports here.

• Register for 12th grade classes (R)

You will begin the process of choosing your classes for last year in Semester 2 during your advisory. Everything you’ll need to help you make the best choices are in your advisory’s Google Classroom. Make sure you can find the necessary materials in Google Classroom before you make your official class requests in March. If you have any questions, ask your advisory teacher for help.

• Upperclassmen Awards Ceremony

This awards ceremony is for 11th and 12th graders and is held at the end of each school year. Awards for various achievements are recognized, especially for academic excellence or academic achievement in each class.

• Junior Prom (O)

This formal dance is for 11th graders toward the end of the second semester and is a highlight of the year! The junior prom is usually held at the Danversport Yacht Club; many people dress formally and may come with a date, but this is not required. If you want to attend, you need to register and pay a fee. If you are worried about the fee and/or transportation, ask a teacher for more information.

• Apply for Project Rise Summer Program (O)

The summer before your senior year is your last chance to register for the RISE Academy at Endicott College. This is a five-week summer program that prepares highly motivated students in grades 7-11 in the Greater Boston area for what can be expected in college/university and the workforce. Make sure to register early. Find more information here.

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• Pass the Math, Science and ELA MCAS (R, EL)

The MCAS is a required standardized test taken each year in Massachusetts. There are three MCAS at BHS: Math, Science, and ELA (English). You need to pass all three MCAS tests to graduate high school. If you did not take the MCAS yet or failed the previous year, you will need to take it this year to pass (except Newcomer ELs)

After Junior Year (Summer)

• Summer Reading Project (R)

The Summer Reading Project intends to keep students reading during the summer, have a chance to read for pleasure, and creates community by sharing a book. Every summer, students are required to read a new book and show evidence that you read and thought about it with a project. There is an official summer reading list every year that is available at the Beverly Public Library, but you can also choose your own book. You can even choose a book in your home language! During the first week of school, you will turn in your project at the BHS Library. For grades 10-12, written projects should be uploaded to Turnitin. Your project will be graded and count toward your first quarter English grade.

• Senior Photo and Quote (R/O)

Senior photos allow seniors to have a more formal or creative photo than in previous years. Most students have this photo taken the summer before their senior year. Yearbooks focus on seniors so the senior photo will also be larger. Senior photos include a short quote underneath. This might be a quote from a favorite author/singer, a line from a song/movie, a traditional message wishing everyone thanks and good luck, a nostalgic thought about high school, or a funny inside joke that only your friends will understand. So start thinking about how you want to be remembered at BHS!