All Things Junior

Junior Year Checklist

Admission Tests

Some colleges are test-optional — always check your college’s requirements.

If tests are required:

SAT: collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
- When registering, check the box to send scores to your high school
- SAT prep resources are linked here.
ACT: act.org
Request fee waivers if you qualify for free/reduced lunch.
Send your test scores directly to the colleges on your list

On March 25th, RISD will administer the ACT to all juniors. This test does not include writing.
- ACT prep resources are linked here.
- Send your test scores to the colleges to which you will apply. If you do not send the scores during registration, you will have to pay to send them later.

College and Career Exploration

College and career exploration help students connect their interests and strengths to future opportunities.
By learning about different education paths and career options early, students can make informed decisions about their goals and plan the steps to reach them. This process empowers students to choose courses, activities, and experiences that align with their future aspirations.
Tools to help with College and Career Exploration can be found on RISD's Path to Postsecondary, linked here.

College Career and Military Readiness

College, Career & Military Readiness, or CCMR, is the measurement of how prepared a student is for academics beyond high school, the workforce, or a career in the military.
In Richardson ISD, it is an expectation that students meet or exceed their CCMR measurements. To accomplish this, RISD offers multiple state-of-Texas-approved pathways to CCMR success and support.
Additional information is available at https://bit.ly/BHSCCMRINFO

Fee Waivers and Financial Readiness

College admission tests and applications are not free.
- Admission test fees: ~$70 each
- College application fees: ~$50 average per application
Students can complete the household data form to determine if they are eligible for a fee waiver: https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?sid=1800
College is expensive, so begin researching scholarships early!

Junior Grades

Your performance this year will impact your college applications.
This year's transcript will contain the last complete set of coursework and grades that admission officers will review with college applications. Please make the most of this year.
This GPA will also be used for the determination of the top 10%. If you are in the top 10% of your class, RISD will notify you in the summer.
If you want to graduate early, work with your counselor now to develop a plan to make it happen!

NCAA & NAIA

If you want to play college sports, you need to register with NCAA or NAIA.
Which one you register with depends on the school you would like to attend.
- NCAA - https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
- NAIA - https://play.mynaia.org/
- Additional information on college athletics can be found at - https://bit.ly/BHS_CBA
Please be aware of private companies or individuals that will charge you a fee to recruit for you. Before registering with these companies or individuals, please discuss this with your coach.

RISD Acceleration

Richardson ISD offers students self-paced courses to foster academic growth. These courses help students quickly fulfill graduation credit requirements. Courses will be taught via Schoology. Students can access lessons on their RISD Chromebooks anytime outside school hours.

Requirements and Cost:

Full tuition will be paid at the time of registration (Only credit OR debit cards will be accepted). NO REFUNDS
Students on free lunch get a 75% discount, and students on reduced lunch get a 50% discount.

To learn more about the RISD Acceleration Program and its requirements, please visit their website which is linked here.

Service Learning Award

The Richardson ISD Service Learning Award honors students for impactful community volunteer work. Students must complete at least 60 service hours, including 30 within the senior year. Students would need to submit a detailed description of their projects, including personal reflections and the results of their activities, and have their hours verified. Record service learning hours in x2VOL. x2Vol can be accessed via RISD ClassLink.

Student Action Checklist

Review your transcript and credits needed for graduation
Research colleges, technical schools, military, or career opportunities
Plan college visits (submit proof for excused absences)
Register for SAT/ACT if needed (check test-optional policy for the college/university of interest)
Take/retake TSIA as needed
Explore scholarships and apply for a fee waiver
Explore summer/online class options (if needed)
Update résumé and college/career portfolio
Explore RISD’s Path to Postsecondary website (https://bit.ly/49DAF9q) to access details on GPA, transcripts, college and career guidance, and more.

TSI Assessment

The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level coursework in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.
Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills and prepare you for success in college-level courses. Taking developmental courses could delay college graduation.
Click here for more information about TSIA.
Please take advantage of every opportunity to improve your TSIA scores.

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