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9th Grade CCR Resources

Getting Started

Welcome, freshmen, to your exciting journey at Frederick Douglass High School! This page is designed to help you, and your families, successfully navigate your freshman year with a strong focus on building a foundation for college and career readiness. This means that you should be aware of and explore all of your options including postsecondary education (i.e. two-year, four-year college/university, technical or trade schools), employment, and the military.

As your College and Career Coach, I am here to serve as a resource and advocate for all scholars, so feel free to stop by the College and Career Center (E207) to start exploring your options.

Monica Jones, SHRM-CP

FDHS College & Career Coach

CCR Resources

Below are a few resources you should become familiar with to assist you on your postsecondary journey.

ACT My Journey: Free Virtual Events for College and Career Planning
- August 27, 2025 - College Knowledge Night for Parents of 9th - 11th Graders
- September 9, 2025 - College for Students with Learning Differences
- September 16, 2025 - College Options for Fine and Performing Arts
- September 17, 2025 - College Pathways for Athletes
- October 15, 2025 - College Admissions 101: Your Ultimate College Roadmap for Success
Big Future
- College Planning: College Search, Connect with Colleges, Stand Out in High School, and more.
- Paying for College
FDHS/CGWA Freshman Counseling, College & Career Canvas Course: Students are strongly encouraged to accept their Canvas Course invitation. This course is a self-paced resource guide for postsecondary planning, offering modules on college planning, career exploration, student opportunities, and scholarship/financial aid. It also includes grade-level meeting presentations and announcements.
Elevate: Take your postsecondary planning to the next level with Elevate, your "one-stop shop" for capturing critical moments and experiences that align your plans with the Fayette County Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate. Be sure to take advantage of Pathful Explore (which is accessible on your Elevate Menu) and has postsecondary education and career features to help you explore your options. Students may access Elevate at elevate.fcps.net or from their FCPS Google Waffle.
- Detailed instructions on how to use Pathful Explore for postsecondary and career exploration are included in your FDHS/CGWA Freshman Counseling, College & Career Canvas Course.
The College Tour: Learn about the college experience from college students by watching episodes or tours from The College Tour.

CCR Service Delivery Framework Revised.pdf

9th Grade College & Career Timeline

College and career readiness activities are embedded in the Freshman Seminar curriculum ensuring that you stay on track throughout the year. Below are a few additional recommendations to help you on your postsecondary journey.

August/September
- Accept your Counseling/College and Career Readiness Canvas Course Invitation
- Get involved by joining clubs or sports teams that match your interests.
- Set academic goals and create a plan for effective time management and organization.
- Start building your resume by tracking extracurricular activities, community service, and achievements
- Create a professional email account for future postsecondary planning communication.
October
- Participate in the FDHS/UKFCU Reality Fair which offers a glimpse into financial literacy and decision-making in real life.
November
- Review your progress and set new academic and personal goals.
- Attend the FCPS Career Expo to explore various career options and capture relevant moments in Elevate.
- Take the chance to give back and volunteer in the community.
January
- Start researching summer programs including academic, enrichment, or summer employment opportunities.
- Start thinking about your CTE Pathway Options and research technical school opportunities available at The Hill.
February
- Finalize your schedule for next school year and meet with your counselor to ensure you are selecting courses that align with your postsecondary goals.
April/May
- Reflect on the year, evaluating your academic, personal, and career goals.
- Participate in the Freshman College Experience Tour. Make the most of your campus tour by researching the college site, preparing questions, and capturing the moment in Elevate.
- Celebrate your achievements and set new goals for next year.

Additional Tips

Check your email regularly for important updates and opportunities.
Prioritize time management and organization
Build relationships with your teachers and student support staff.
Take advantage of academic support resources including tutoring.
Challenge yourself academically, but always prioritize your mental and physical health. Check out the Student Support Resources for self-care and wellness tips and suggestions.

Get to Know KHEAA

KHEAA is the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. KHEAA is probably best known for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), but KHEAA has several resources available to students and families. Check them out below.

The College Circuit: Quick Reference College Planning Guide for High School Students and Families
- High School Timeline
- College Planning
- Paying for College: Scholarships, Federal & State Aid
High School Basics
KEES (Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship): The KEES program provides scholarships to Kentucky students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA each and 5 credits each year they attend a Kentucky high school. The higher the GPA the more you earn toward college. Earn additional scholarship bonuses for eligible ACT/SAT scores and Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores.
- KEES Brochure
Money 101

Scholarships/Financial Aid Basics

Myth? Students and families should wait to explore scholarships and financial aid during the junior and senior years of high school.

Fact: High schools students can and should start searching and applying for scholarships during their freshman year.

Check out the Fayette County Public Schools Scholarship Site to learn Scholarship/Financial Aid basics including types of financial aid, frequently asked questions, and resources at https://www.fcps.net/families/postsecondary-resources/scholarships.

Tips:

Create a digital folder to compile important information like your high school transcript, resume, achievements, and awards.
Utilize a reputable national scholarship site to create a free, custom scholarship dashboard that matches you with scholarships and organizes your scholarship search.
Review the FDHS/CGWA Scholarship List at least twice a month (beginning and middle of the month) to ensure that you don't miss out on new scholarship opportunities.

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