High School, Community College and Specialty School Planning 

It's never too early to start thinking about life after high school!

• Make it your goal this year to come to school every day.

• Participate in class to keep your grades up, your GPA is important for attending a community college or specialty school.

• Develop organizational skills and study skills. Need help? See your counselor, teacher, or ask a trusted adult!

• Get involved in your community through extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Make sure to keep a record of every activity you do to form a resume later.

Guess what, you made it through your freshman year! What's next?

• Be a role model for the underclassmen, come to school every day, keep your grades up, and follow the teacher’s instructions!

• Prep for the Pre-SAT is on-line.  These standardized tests provide a great indicator of overall college readiness.

• Continue with the extracurricular activities that you participated in last year. Continue creating a resume with extracurricular activities, community service, employment, and everything you have accomplished. Need help? See your school counselor for direction. 

• You might already be thinking about getting a job soon, start preparing for a driver’s permit/licenses test. Your counselor can help you find resources.

• Apply for a work permit if you are ready to get a job (if you are under 16)!

• Driver's educational information can be found on the JCPS web page.

Get ready to be a high school graduate!

• Continue being a role model in the classroom and keep up your participation in extracurricular activities (STEM, art, music, horticulture, construction, foods, and internships). Keep up your grades and do not slack off!

• Meet with your counselor to make sure you are on track for graduation and your personal post-secondary plans. 

• Get serious about your community college or specialty school search!  Research admission requirements and make sure that you have met them. Review community colleges or specialty schools on the internet and visit their websites.

• Attend the CACRAO College Fair at SCC and other job exploration opportunities.

• Apply for admissions beginning in September (see your counselor for assistance). 

• Meet your college’s financial aid deadlines and check their website for scholarship opportunities. The FAFSA opens October 1.

• Update your work history and resume! 

• Apply for a work permit if you are ready to get a job (if you are under 16)!

• Ask your counselor, teachers, and employer for letters of recommendation.  You will need these for scholarships and some college applications.  Provide them with your resume and give them at least 2-3 weeks to complete the recommendation.

• Decide which community college or specialty school you would like to attend, and notify the school of your decision.

• Stay on top of deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork.  Many schools have deposit due dates that must be met in order to keep your place in the freshman class. 

• Complete scholarship applications and stay on top of deadlines.

Links 

• Directions to Access Edgenuity: 

Go to JCPSnc.org, click on student tab, click Classlink (Log on with username and password), Edgenuity will appear on the student page in Classlink. Contact sstevens @jcpsmail.org or cwilliamson @jcpsmail.org for assistance.

• Southwestern Community  College  

https://www.southwesterncc.edu/ 

• Southwestern  Community College Nurse Aide, Certificate Information 

https://www.southwesterncc.edu/health-sciences/nursing-assistant/nurse-aide-certificate 

• Spartanburg Community College   

  https://www.sccsc.edu/schoolslist/index.php 

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology   

https://tcatcrossville.edu/

• Haywood Community College 

https://www.haywood.edu/ 

• Tri - County Community College 

https://www.tricountycc.edu/

• AB - Buncombe Tech Community College  

https://www.abtech.edu/ 

• Technical College System of College 

https://tcsg.edu/high-school-students/ 

• Blue Ridge Community College 

https://www.blueridge.edu/new-student-orientation 

• Greenville Technical College 

https://www.gvltec.edu/ 

• Auto Mechanic School in Tennessee  Information

https://best-automechanicschools.com/tennessee/ 

• Make sure you stay on top of deadlines! 

• Make sure you explore your different options! 

• Residential Determination: In order to receive in-state tuition at N.C. Colleges, Universities and Community Colleges, students must go through the RDS process.  Students and parents need to sit down together to complete this application.  Students log-in with their CFNC username/password (come see Nancy Harmon if you need assistance). 

• FASFA: Learn how you can apply for financial aid.

• College Navigator: Find a college that will meet your specific needs and interests.

• Know How 2 Go: Learn how to go to college (specifically for students in grades 8-10)

• College Results Online: Compare Colleges you are interested in.