College Readiness/GEAR UP Digital Learning Activities


Grades 6 - 8

Title: The High School Road to College and Career
Teacher Instructions
Student Instructions:Instructions:1. Open this week’s Google Slide document.2. Read and complete each activity when prompted.3. Submit your assignment in Google Classroom.4. (Optional) Download your document as a PDF to save what you have completed:a. Select ‘File’b. Scroll down and select ‘Download As’ on the ‘File’ drop down menu c. Select ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’
Resources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agg-99NYx4Uhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29XLaiK514https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCBBPCG5HWYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq6VJ2ql8E8
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish

Grade 9

Activity 1Title: Checking My Grades: Am I on Track to Graduate?
Teacher Instructions
Instructions:1. Checking My Grades: Am I on Track to Graduate?Link: Enter your Username and Password
  • Select login
  • Enter username (Student ID) & Password

2. Complete the following steps once signed into your Philasd accountLink to Assignment: Enter your Username and Password
  • On the Infinite Campus homepage, click on Academic Plan
  • Your page will say Academic Progress across the top.
    • Do not change the first box from “Graduation (Graduation)”
  • Next to the column Report Type, select detail then click on select all.
  • Lastly, you will generate your Academic Plan Progress Report

**You will need this report for the following activities for this week’s lessons.**
3. Once the Academic Plan Progress Report is pulled complete: Link: Graduation Requirements
  • Review the High School graduation requirements links to see if you are currently on track to graduate.

Other Links: Course Credit Per Year
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish



Activity 2Title: Calculating Your GPA
Teacher Instructions
Instructions:1. Link: https://gpacalculator.net/high-school-gpa-calculator/
  • No account creation needed for this activity
  • Students click the link under Link to interactive assignment to watch a video and to understand how to calculate your GPA

2. Watch both videos on calculating your GPALink to Videos:
3. Link to interactive assignment: This is an easy-to-use high school GPA calculator that will help you calculate your GPStep 1 - On the Infinite Campus homepage, click on Academic PlanStep 2 - Pull up & review your Academic Plan Progress Report Step 3 - On the GPA Calculator, click the link to start calculating your own GPA.Step 4 - Click on Semester Title then enter "Freshman"Step 5 - Next you will click on course to enter each class you have taken so far during your Freshman year.
REMINDER:**Course information can be found on your Academic Plan Progress Report that you pulled from School Net.**You will see your classes listed by Grade per subject.**If you have more than 4 classes please select Add Course to enter any additional courses as needed.
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish



Activity 3Title: Exploring CTE
Teacher Instructions
Instructions:Link: Career and Technical Education (CTE)Students will explore 40 occupational areas, allowing you to be exposed to both hands-on and academic skills to explore the various CTE Programs offered throughout the School District of Philadelphia High Schools.
  • Step 1 - Login into Infinite Campus
  • Step 2 - On the application page, look for Naviance
  • Step 3 - Once in Naviance, Under Career, Click Explore
  • Step 4 - Then in the Lookup by Keyword search bar enter the career aligned with the CTE program of interest, then GO
  • Step 5 - Select the Career and scroll down to related majors and click a Related Major
  • Step 6 - Identify 3 colleges that have the major and Add to Colleges I'm Thinking About
  • Step 7 - Complete interactive assignment:

Link to Interactive Assignment
This site https://www.onetonline.org/
Link to text:https://www.philasd.org/cte/
Other Linkhttps://www.onetonline.org/find/
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish


Activity 4Title: Dual Enrollment Opportunities & SYOP
Teacher Instructions
Instructions:1. Dual Enrollment Opportunities & SYOP Link: Dual Enrollment – High School Supports
  • Student’s who are interested in earning college credits while in high school should visit these links provided.
  • For an overview of the various dual enrollment opportunities, click the High School Supports Link. It will explain the many ways for you to earn college credits.

2. Choosing Courses Link to Assignment: Choosing Courses (Naviance)
Click the link for Choosing Courses to explore the importance of taking specific high school classes to prepare for dual enrollment and college choices.
Other Links: Senior Year Only Program (SYOP) – Academic Supports
Details about the Senior Year Only Program SYOP - the extended deadline to apply is May 8, 2020 (This program is offered to 11th graders ONLY) but use this as a guide and motivation to stay on track with your grades and attendance so you can apply when you are a Junior.
*Students who are interested in earning college credits while in high school should visit these links provided. For an overview of the various dual enrollment, opportunities click the links under
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish

Grade 10

Activity 1Title: Checking My Grades: Am I on Track to Graduate?
Teacher Instructions
Instructions:1. Checking My Grades: Am I on Track to Graduate?Link to Assignment: Enter your Username and Password
  • Select login
  • Enter username (Student ID) & Password

2. Complete the following steps once signed into your Philasd accountLink to assignment: Enter your Username and Password
  • On the Infinite Campus homepage, click on Academic Plan
  • Your page will say Academic Progress across the top.
  • Do not change the first box from “Graduation (Graduation)”
  • Next to the column Report Type, select detail then click on select all.
  • Lastly, you will generate your Academic Plan Progress Report

**You will need this report for the following activities for this week’s lessons.**
3. Once the Academic Plan Progress Report is pulled complete: Link: Graduation Requirements
  • Review the High School graduation requirements links to see if you are currently on track to graduate.

Other Links: Course Credit Per Year
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish



Activity 2Title: Calculating Your GPA
Teacher Instructions
Student Instructions:1. Link: https://gpacalculator.net/high-school-gpa-calculator/● No account creation needed for this activity● Students click the link under Link to interactive assignment to watch a video and to understand how to calculate your GPA2. Watch both videos on “calculating your GPA”Link to Videos:● How To Calculate Your GPA In College● How to calculate GPA PT3. Link to interactive assignment:This is an easy-to-use high school GPA calculator that will help you calculate your GPA● High School GPA Calculator4. After watching the GPA videos, complete the following steps using your Academic Advising Plan.5. Once you have signed in to your Infinite Campus account on Philasd.org for your Academic Progress Report, please do the following steps:Step 1 - On the Infinite Campus homepage, click on Academic PlanStep 2 - Pull up & review your Academic Plan Progress ReportStep 3 - On the GPA Calculator, click the link to start calculating your own GPA.Step 4 - Click on “Semester Title” then enter "Freshman"Step 5 - Next you will click on “course” to enter each class you have taken so far during your Freshman year.Step 6 - Click “add semester” and title it "Sophomore"Step 7 - You will repeat the process of step 4.
REMINDER:**Course information can be found on your Academic Plan Progress Report that you pulled from School Net.**You will see your classes listed by Grade per subject.**If you have more than 4 classes please select “Add Course” to enter any additional courses as needed.
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish



Activity 3Title: College Simply: College Finder Match
Teacher Instructions
Student Instructions:1. Link: Guide to Colleges Based on High School GPA. Search Colleges by GPA.
  • No account creation needed for this activity:

2. Click on College Simply LinkStep 1: Scroll down to "Locate colleges you can get into with your high school GPA"Step 2: Enter the GPA you received from link, “Calculate your GPA”Step 3: Select Pennsylvania under “College Location.”Step 4: Select “College Search” to see what colleges you currently qualify to attend.
**You will also see a list of “reach and safety schools” that will be determined by increasing your GPA in the upcoming years in high school.
Link to interactive assignment: https://www.collegesimply.com/guides/colleges-by-gpa/
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish




Activity 4Title: Types of Colleges
Teacher Instructions
Student Instructions:No account creation needed for this activity. This link will expose you to over 40 occupational areas, allowing students to acquire both technical (hands-on) and academic skills.
Step 1: Students, click the link under Link to interactive assignment to explore the different types of schools/colleges/universities to choose from while considering their best college fit.
Step 2: Read through the slides to learn about the different types of colleges (universities, trade schools) that are offered to you based on your preferences.
Link to text:https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/college-101/types-of-colleges-the-basics

Link to interactive assignment:
  1. Click the link for the google document to list the characteristics of each post-secondary option.
  2. Before beginning, you will have to click the blue button that says Make a copy. Then, you will have full access to personalize the assignment.
  3. Save the document by adding your name to the end of the document’s name, for example, College Sort Activity-Jessica P.

Link to interactive assignment: https://docs.google.com/presentation/u/2/d/1qse_ng9eBujNMp1icpHqtfHMSf1Scg4r0Niw5xcaZA8/copy
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish

Grade 11

Title: Transition to the next grade
Teacher Instructions
Student Instructions:Review the article "College Advice for Juniors." You will identify the steps you need to take ‘next’ before you start your Senior year. After reading the article, answer the reflection questions in part 2.
1.Click link to read the article:https://hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2020/04/college-advice-for-juniors.html

2. When reading the article, answer the question:Answer the following questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PH5BIrHL8CZTr4fZJvRl1BTJz-uQ-I4zKPFBIcdABE8/copy
3. Reflect on your own on the following points and see where you stand.
  • Academic performance
  • Summer College related activities( Summer Internships)
  • Accomplishments
  • SAT/ACT testing(scheduling you test date)
  • Recommendation letters (think about teachers who you might request letters of recommendation i.e., who and what would you want them to share about you to potential colleges).


4. Utilizing the information you learned from the presentation, begin learning about colleges and determine what colleges interest you.

  • Watch these videos from Philadelphia Futures about navigating the college application process. They also have a summer supplement for rising seniors.


Interactive Assignment:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LBiI6hPy_Ubn-MYaqMwNjn89R4Mm7JLsg8AHJYtI42I/copy
Other links:Summer Supplement for Rising Seniors-summer supplementFAFSA Application- https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa/
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish

Grade 12

Title: Next Steps- Preparing for life after High School
Teacher instruction
Student Instructions:We understand that the transition after high school can be overwhelming especially because life will be different. No worries because we are here to get you through!
Please complete the following assignments regarding your pathway after high school:
College/Trade School Track:
  1. Please determine which college and/or university you are going to in the fall
  2. Check all emails/online portal from the college/university to determine if you are missing any documents.
  3. Submit your enrollment deposit by the deadline. If you cannot afford to pay this, please complete and submit the College Deposit Waiver form to the admission office. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-CEvYG3NaQBuKoi3GmLQ5m4ml4AdF67/view?usp=sharing
  4. If available, please visit your college/university’s website and take a virtual tour and complete this scavenger hunt https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LBiI6hPy_Ubn-MYaqMwNjn89R4Mm7JLsg8AHJYtI42I/copy
  5. Make sure you check your email daily and follow up on any emails colleges are sending you. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your HS Counselor.

I don’t have a solid plan after high school, however I think I want to go to college:Congratulations! It’s still not too late to apply to college, however we just have to catch up! Many trade schools and community colleges have rolling admission dates, therefore you still have time to apply.Please follow these steps to help you.
    1. Create a list of community colleges and trade schools you are interested in
    2. Complete your FAFSA and PHEAA to receive financial aid!
      1. Click here for a checklist of items you will need to complete your FAFSA.
      2. If you are having additional questions, PHEAA is available every Wednesday in May from 9am-4pm to help you! Call ( 267) 294-8204
    3. Visit the college’s website to apply online. Contact your HS counselor for assistance


How to Understand Your Financial Aid Letter
  1. First, gather all of your financial aid letters from the colleges/universities you have been accepted to.
  2. Please read the following article on how to understand and compare your financial aid letters.
    How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter: 5 Examples
  3. Use the following spreadsheet to determine which school is best for you financially
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yfQJu2DEeoIjhpT1Lt76wXVduuCdq9OBLXT9kyB3JdI/copy
  1. Note: In order to use to edit the document; please go to File on the top left corner, and click on Make a copy

Preparing for life on-campus or commuting
  1. Please view the various videos discussing the transition for high school to college
Videos for first generation college bound students:YouTube - What I have learned as a first-generation college studentMovie - First Generation College Student TipsOther links for students transitioning from high school to college:High School Transition Guide - Gear UP9 Steps to Making Your College Plans a Reality!
Translated DirectionsArabicChinesePortugueseRussianSpanish