**FRESHMAN YEAR - MyCAP College and Career Readiness**

Coursework:

-Freshman...grades and attendance matter!  Ace your classes! Have goals of challenging yourself with AP and Dual Enrollment Classes as an upperclassman to prepare for college...be challenged and succeed.

-What is the first thing needed to build a strong house...the FOUNDATION!  Freshman year is your FOUNDATION to your high school career! If you don't have a strong FOUNDATION to your house, it will collapse when you add the frame and other stuff to complete the house.  With a solid Freshman year (strong foundation) you will build a strong high school career and improve your chance to do well the other years and have more options for college.

Extracurricular Activities:

-It is a good idea for students to get involved in extracurricular activities that they enjoy, that fit into their schedules, and that they will likely continue. These can include athletics, performing arts, student government, shared interest groups, community service, or part-time work. Of course, students should prioritize their schoolwork over their extracurricular pursuits.

Guidance Curriculum

-The Freshman Seminar Program will cover topics including: transitioning to the high school, accessing resources, graduation requirements, GPA, college preparatory curriculum recommendations, and a brief introduction to college selectivity.

-Additionally, they will learn the importance of communication and self-advocacy as it relates to academic success. Students will be exposed to self-care strategies, mindfulness and a variety of skills to address socio-emotional needs.

NAVIANCE:   

-Students are oriented on their Naviance accounts - given their login information and taught how Naviance will help in the college process.

-Students add a SMART Goal in the "9th Grade Academic" category with their school counselor.  

-The process of self exploration begins as students are asked to complete the "Career Cluster Finder" , "Learning Style" and "Personal Assessment Questionnaire" surveys in Naviance.

EVERFI (financial literature online):   

-Students will complete:

**SOPHOMORE YEAR - MyCAP College and Career Readiness**

Coursework:

-Sophomore... grades and attendance matter!  Challenge yourself with AP/Dual Enrollment classes.  Stay/Get involved in Extracurricular activities. 

-Students should continue taking courses appropriate to their abilities and consistent with their academic interests.

Extracurricular Activities:

-Academics should remain the priority.  Students should continue with activities from ninth grade, or consider joining an activity that interests them, if they haven’t done so already. 

Guidance Curriculum:

-The Sophomore MyCap Seminars will introduce students to the process of exploring college majors and career opportunities. Students will complete an online career interest inventory and begin a resume.

-Students will prepare to transition to the upper campus.

Standardized Test Options:

-Pre-ACT (November):  A practice test for the ACT, includes an English, math, reading and science reasoning section. Score reports will be distributed in January and counselors will review results with students. We recommend that tenth graders take the Pre-ACT.

-PSAT (October): A practice test for SAT, includes Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing and Math sections. Score reports will be sent home in December and counselors will review results with students.

NAVIANCE:

-Students add a SMART Goal in the "10th Grade Academic" category with their school counselor.  

-Counselors speak with students regarding the concepts of "netiquitte" (web privacy and responsibility), the "professional" email address, and the creation of a resume .

-Student completes "StrengthsExplorer" assessment and identify their emerging talents.

-The "Explore Careers" aspect of Naviance is used in depth to help students to identify their passions, skills sets, and areas of aptitude.   

--Students are introduced to the college timetable here as well.  They will continue the college exploration process and discuss the course selection process as it relates to future college and career goals.

EVERFI (financial literature online):   

-Students will complete:

**JUNIOR YEAR - MyCAP College and Career Readiness**

Coursework:

-Juniors... grades and attendance still matter!  You still have time to improve your GPA!   This tends to be the most challenging year for students, in terms of coursework.

Extracurricular Activities

-Students should continue with activities and will continue updating their resume.

Guidance Curriculum

-The Junior MyCap Seminars cover the college selection process in depth. Students will utilize Naviance, an online college search program, and begin to develop a list of Safety-Match-Reach schools. There are a number of required forms/surveys for students to complete. Students meet individually with counselors.

-Students continue to develop strategies to be successful in high school by examining the importance of attendance, grade point averages, SAT/ACT scores, study habits, participation in extra-curricular and/or volunteer activities, and overall organizational skills and how they relate to academic success and acceptance to college. 

-Students know their GPA, examine your high school transcript, utilize Naviance and other resources to research colleges and create a prospective college list. 

-Students will update their resumes, refine their cover letters, practice interview skills, and participate in other career exposure-related programming. 

-Students will also complete college essays, build a college list, ask teachers to write recommendation letters, take challenging classes, attend College Fairs, attend College tours and take the SAT.

Events:

-College Planning Night (January). This evening is geared toward eleventh grade students and their parents. Tenth grade students and parents are welcome to attend.

-EMK Mini College Fairs (October). Held at EMK upper cafe.

-College Visits. Encouraged during February and/or April vacations.

-BPS College Fairs - 

• Fall - held at Reggie Lewis Center 

• Spring - held at the BCEC.

Standardized Test Options

-PSAT (October): A practice test for SAT, includes Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing and Math sections. Score reports will be sent home in December and counselors will review results with students.

-During the second semester of junior year we recommend students take both the ACT and SAT at least once, so that they have the option of choosing which one to send to colleges. Colleges accept both the ACT and SAT.

-ACT (February, April, June, July). We recommend the April test for most students. Includes English, math, reading and science reasoning sections.

-SAT (December, March, May, June, August). We recommend the May test for most students. Includes Evidence Based Reading & Writing, Math.

NAVIANCE tasks:

-11th Grade - Game Plan Survey - including a goal

-11th Grade - Career Skills Survey

-11th Grade - Strength Explorer Assessment

-Link College Board and Khan Academy accounts

-Update and upload resume

-Summer Opportunities Survey

PATHWAYS/EVERFI (financial literature online):   

Students will complete ALL modules:

+ Everfi: Financial Literacy for High School

+ Marketplaces:  Investing Basics

+ Money Moves:  Modern Banking & Identity Protection

+ Pathways: Financing Higher Education

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**SENIOR YEAR - MyCAP College and Career Readiness**

Coursework:

-Seniors...grades and attendance still matter!  You still have time to improve your GPA!  

-Students should continue in the appropriate level coursework and have a strong start to the year.

Guidance Curriculum:

-Senior MyCap Seminar reviews “nuts and bolts” of the college application process. Individual meetings with counselors and with Dr. Walker-Gregory.

-Now is the time to apply to your colleges - You should have at least 2 Reach, Target and Safety colleges to apply to.

-Students continue to develop strategies to be successful in high school by examining the importance of attendance, grade point averages, SAT/ACT scores, study habits, participation in extra-curricular and/or volunteer activities, and overall organizational skills and how they relate to academic success and acceptance to college. 

-Students will complete college essays, create FSA ID and a College Board account, attend College Fairs, attend College tours and take the SAT.

Standardized Test Options:

We recommend that students repeat their better test from junior year.

• ACT (September, October, December). We recommend the September test.

• SAT (October, November, December). We recommend the October test.

Events:

Continue campus visits and meet with college representatives at the EMK Mini College Fairs or College Admission Rep visits.

NAVIANCE:

-12th Grade - Game Plan Survey - including a goal

-12th Grade - Career Skills Survey

-MyCAP Portfolio Survey

-Update and upload resume

-BPS Senior Exit Survey

PATHWAYS/EVERFI (financial literature online):   

-Students will complete modules:

- Financial Literacy 

+ Everfi: Financial Literacy for High School

+ Marketplaces:  Investing Basics

+ Money Moves:  Modern Banking & Identity Protection

+ Pathways: Financing Higher Education

- Understanding Financial Aid

- Repaying Loans Responsibly 

- Senior Year Timeline -