Continue to Develop Strong Academic Habits
Complete assignments on time, prepare for exams thoughtfully, ask questions and go to office hours when you need help, and build your reading and writing skills. Learning how to study effectively is far more valuable than simply earning high grades through natural ability.
Academics Come First for College Applications
One of the most common mistakes students make is believing that extracurricular activities matter more than the classroom. They do not when it comes to college. Continue to build study and time management skills. At FCA FM students begin taking classes that satisfy high school graduation requirements in seventh grade (Honors Latin I). In eighth grade students complete Honors Algebra I, Honors Latin I/II, Honors Logic I and II, and optional: Physical Education; all of these courses will appear on your high school transcript, however they are not calculated into your high school GPA.
Pursue Interests
This is an excellent time for students to begin discovering what genuinely interests them. Your goal is not to participate in everything, but academics also shouldn’t be all you do. Join choir, speech and debate, try out for the athletics team, join scouting or theater, learn an instrument, be active in your faith community. Discover what you are curious about and what you enjoy because oftentimes it’s these interests that develop into meaningful commitments during high school.
Preparing for High School
As eighth grade draws to a close, begin thinking about the transition into high school. FCA FM will host a number of open forum meetings concerning our high school and college preparations throughout the year. Attend a meeting and come prepared with questions. Colleges like to see progression, so, they like to see that you have increased course rigor and chosen to challenge yourself. Consider potential course selections for your student over the next four years that provide an appropriate level of challenge while still allowing your student to be successful. High school is not a race to accumulate the greatest number of advanced courses. Rather, it is an opportunity to grow steadily in knowledge, confidence, and maturity over four years. Students who begin with a balanced schedule often perform better than those who become overwhelmed by taking on too much too soon.
If you ever have any questions, or would like to discuss a four-year plan tailored specifically for you/your student, please reach out to Mrs. Hailey Anver (hanver@responsiveedtx.com).
Begin Exploring Colleges
This may sound surprising, but eighth grade can be a wonderful time to visit a college campus. If you're traveling and happen to be near a college campus, take an hour to walk through it. Visit the library. Eat in the dining hall if it's open. Walk through the student union. Let your student begin imagining what college life might be like someday. You do not need to take a formal tour yet or evaluate admission criteria, but visiting college campuses lends itself to familiarity and can be a strong motivator.
Summer Before High School
The summer before high school is a unique opportunity. Rather than filling every day with structured activities, I encourage students to use this time intentionally. Rest, recharge, and enjoy being with family, but also begin preparing for the habits and responsibilities that high school will require. If I could recommend only one thing for every student to do before entering high school, it would be to read. Complete your summer reading, but also read books that interest you. Students who read regularly become stronger writers, more confident thinkers, and more curious learners. Those benefits extend into every subject, not just English. Travel, go to camp, visit with friends, volunteer—do the things you love and explore your interests so you are rested and ready to begin ninth grade!
Goal Setting
I would encourage you at the beginning of ninth grade to not only set goals for yourself for the year but also for high school. Goals provide direction and help us make daily decisions with a larger purpose in mind. Without goals, it is easy to drift from one assignment, activity, or opportunity to the next without ever asking whether those choices are leading us toward the person we hope to become. As you begin high school, take time to reflect on what you hope this year will accomplish. Some goals may be academic, such as improving your writing, earning stronger grades, or developing better study habits. Others may be personal, such as making a team, becoming more organized, or making new friends. As you set your goals, remember they are not permanent. As you grow, your interests and priorities will change. Revisit your goals throughout the year, celebrate your progress, and don't be afraid to adjust them when necessary. At the beginning of each school year, I encourage students to write down three to five goals and place them somewhere they will see them regularly. Small, consistent steps toward meaningful goals often accomplish far more than occasional bursts of motivation.
Maintain Grades
One of the greatest advantages a student can give themselves is a strong academic start. While your permanent high school transcript started in seventh grade with Latin I, beginning in your freshman year grades in all of your classes will be a part of your permanent high school transcript and will be calculated into your high school GPA. If you struggle in a class, don't panic. High school is a time of growth, and every student encounters challenges. What matters most is responding to those challenges with perseverance and a willingness to improve. Remember that colleges are interested in students who demonstrate consistent effort and growth over time. Develop strong academic habits now, and the results will often follow.
Xello
Xello is an interactive, online college and career readiness program used by K-12 school district to help students plan their futures. It features guides for exploring careers, scholarships, and colleges, personality quizzes, and is a program we use for managing the college applications. Throughout high school, Founders students will use Xello as one of several tools to help explore careers, colleges, scholarships, and future opportunities.
During freshman year, students are encouraged to log in and begin familiarizing themselves with Xello. Students can complete the various assessments yearly and begin building their college and scholarship list. Career assessments are not intended to determine your future profession or tell you what you "should" become. Rather, they are designed to help you better understand your interests, strengths, and preferences while introducing careers you may not have previously considered. Xello is also an excellent place to begin learning about colleges, admission requirements, and academic programs. While many of these features will become more important in later years, becoming familiar with the platform now will make future planning much easier.
Visit Colleges
Freshman year is an excellent time to begin visiting college campuses. Whenever your family travels, consider spending an hour or two visiting a nearby campus. Walk through the student center, explore the library, visit the bookstore, and simply observe campus life. As you visit different schools, you will begin noticing differences and get a feel for the campus culture. With each college visit you will begin to better understand the variety of colleges and universities out there and what is important to you. There is no need to schedule formal admissions tours or information sessions yet at this stage unless you have a particular interest in a university. The goal is simply to explore and learn more.
FCA FM tries to schedule two college field trips each year (one in the fall and one in the spring) to DFW area colleges and universities. Participating in these field trips is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the types of colleges out there and what may be a good fit for you.
Each February, FCA FM partners with Founders Classical Academy of Lewisville to host an annual College Fair. College fairs are an excellent opportunity to explore a wide variety of colleges, compare schools, ask questions, and begin narrowing your college list. Throughout the year, we also host college admissions representatives and information sessions on campus. I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities; they provide a forum to not only to learn about different institutions, but for students to practice introducing themselves, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking confidently with admissions representatives.
Get Involved
Join clubs, participate in athletics or fine arts, volunteer in your community, become involved in your church, or try activities you have never considered before. Don't worry about finding the "perfect" extracurricular activity. Instead, focus on discovering what you genuinely enjoy. Over time, many students naturally narrow their interests and become more deeply involved in a few activities rather than participating in many. Colleges generally value sustained commitment and meaningful involvement more than a long list of unrelated activities.
Consider Summer Programs
The purpose of summer is not to build a résumé, however it is an excellent time to explore your interests outside of a classroom and to grow as a person. Consider opportunities such as volunteer work, camps, academic enrichment programs, mission trips, leadership experiences, fine arts programs, athletic camps, or simply working. When evaluating any summer opportunity, ask yourself one simple question: "Will this experience help me learn, grow, serve, or discover something new about myself?" If the answer is yes, then it is likely an opportunity you should pursue.
Applications for summer enrichment programs, camps and volunteer opportunities typically open in February or March of your freshman year. Be on the lookout for an email reminding you to consider summer opportunities around this time from Mrs. Anver. If you have any questions about applications or opportunities, please reach out to Mrs. Anver.
Maintain Grades
By sophomore year, you have likely developed a better understanding of what high school requires. Continue building on the habits you established during freshman year by approaching each class with consistency and purpose. If freshman year did not go as planned, sophomore year offers an excellent opportunity to improve. Colleges appreciate students who demonstrate growth over time. Strong grades earned after overcoming early challenges often tell a compelling story of resilience and maturity. Continue to challenge yourself appropriately, ask for help when needed, and remember that learning should remain one of your primary goals.
Start Your College List
Sophomore year is an ideal time to begin creating a preliminary list of colleges that interest you. This is not necessarily a list of schools where you will eventually apply. Instead, think of it as a collection of possibilities that you can explore over the next two years.
As you build your list, consider questions such as:
Would I prefer a large university or a smaller college?
Do I want to remain close to home or attend school farther away? In-state or out of state?
Am I interested in a public university, a private institution, or a faith-based college?
Does the school offer majors or programs that interest me?
What type of campus community would help me thrive?
Keep an open mind. Many students discover colleges they had never heard of simply by exploring. It is perfectly acceptable for your list to change significantly before senior year.
Begin Touring Colleges
If you have not already visited a college campus, sophomore year is an excellent time to begin scheduling informal visits. During the school year, please be sure to complete and turn in the College Visitation Form, and Visit Verification Form for absences to be excused.
Unlike freshman year, where campus visits are primarily about exposure, sophomore year visits can become more intentional. Begin comparing campuses and asking thoughtful questions about academics, student life, and campus culture.
Whenever possible, visit a variety of institutions rather than focusing only on well-known universities. You may be surprised to discover that the school you ultimately love looks very different from what you originally imagined.
FCA FM tries to schedule two college field trips each year (one in the fall and one in the spring) to DFW area colleges and universities. Participating in these field trips is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the types of colleges out there and what may be a good fit for you.
Each February, FCA FM partners with Founders Classical Academy of Lewisville to host an annual College Fair. College fairs are an excellent opportunity to explore a wide variety of colleges, compare schools, ask questions, and begin narrowing your college list. Throughout the year, we also host college admissions representatives and information sessions on campus. I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities; they provide a forum to not only to learn about different institutions, but for students to practice introducing themselves, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking confidently with admissions representatives.
Stay Involved
Continue investing in the activities that have become meaningful to you. By sophomore year, many students begin taking on greater responsibility within organizations, athletic teams, fine arts programs, or volunteer organizations. By sophomore year depth is more important than breadth. Rather than continually adding new activities, focus on growing within the commitments you already enjoy. Look for opportunities to mentor younger students, accept leadership responsibilities, improve your skills, and contribute in meaningful ways.
Xello
By sophomore year, you should be comfortable navigating Xello and using its many planning tools. Continue completing the career and learning style assessments annually. As you grow and gain new experiences, your interests may change, and your assessment results often will as well.
This is also an excellent time to begin using Xello more intentionally. Start building a list of colleges that interest you and compare important information such as admission requirements, majors offered, campus size, location, tuition costs, and acceptance rates. Continue exploring careers that align with your interests and investigate the education, skills, and training each career requires.
As you participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, receive awards, or complete summer programs, keep your Xello profile updated. Maintaining an accurate record of your activities now will make completing college and scholarship applications much easier during your junior and senior years.
PSAT, CLT 10 and TSI-A Math
Students take the PSAT, CLT10 and TSIA Math exams during sophomore year. These exams are designed to familiarize students with college entrance testing while providing valuable information about academic strengths and areas for improvement.
Unlike the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT, the sophomore PSAT is not used for National Merit Scholarship qualification, but will be the same exam. Treat this exam as a practice opportunity in preparation for next year. Review your score report carefully. Pay attention to the skills that need improvement rather than focusing solely on your overall score. The results can help guide your preparation for other college entrance exams.
The PSAT will be offered on a Saturday, October 17, 2026 in the Upper School Building.
The CLT10 will be offered on Thursday, November 5, 2026 during the school day.
The TSIA Math exam will be offered during Spring 2027.
Our campus will offer the SAT on Saturday March 4, 2027 and the ACT on Saturday April 10, 2027.
For general college entrance exam questions or questions concerning registration or preparation, please reach out to Mrs. Anver.
AP Exams
If you are enrolled in an Advanced Placement course, you will have the opportunity to take the corresponding AP Exam in May.
The AP Exam schedule is set by College Board and can be found on the Curriculum page. Exam scores are released in early July.
Consider Summer Programs
Applications for summer enrichment programs, camps and volunteer opportunities typically open in February or March of the academic year. Be on the lookout for an email reminding you to consider summer opportunities around this time from Mrs. Anver. If you have any questions about applications or opportunities, please reach out to Mrs. Anver.
Grades Matter
Junior year is often considered the most academically important year of high school. Colleges pay particularly close attention to your performance during this year because it represents your most recent full year of coursework before applications are submitted. Continue challenging yourself with an appropriate level of rigor while maintaining strong grades. Admissions officers generally prefer students who excel in appropriately challenging courses over students who overload their schedules and struggle academically.
Remember that grades are not simply numbers on a transcript. They represent years of developing habits such as discipline, perseverance, curiosity, and responsibility. Continue meeting with your teachers when you need assistance, stay organized, and avoid allowing one difficult week to become one difficult semester.
Standardized Tests
For most students, junior year is the primary year for college entrance exams. FCA FM administers the PSAT/NMSQT in October, which serves as the qualifying examination for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students should prepare for this exam, particularly if they hope to compete for National Merit recognition.
Most students should also plan to take their first SAT, ACT, and CLT during their junior year. I generally recommend taking one exam early enough to allow time for a second attempt if desired. Many students improve their scores after becoming familiar with the testing experience.
Remember that colleges evaluate much more than test scores. Standardized tests are only one component of an application and should never define a student's sense of worth or future opportunities. For more information regarding testing schedules, registration, accommodations, or score interpretation, please contact Mrs. Anver.
Building the College List
By junior year, your preliminary list of colleges should begin becoming more focused. Continue researching schools through Xello, and college websites. Attend virtual information sessions, search guidebooks, and meet with Mrs. Anver. There are a number of guidebooks and standardized exam books outside of her office students are welcome to check out at any time.
As you narrow your list, think beyond rankings. Consider academic programs, campus culture, class sizes, faculty accessibility, undergraduate research opportunities, internship placement, study abroad opportunities, graduation rates, and financial affordability. The "best" college is the one where you will flourish academically, socially, and personally. By the end of junior year, many students have identified approximately ten to fifteen colleges that they intend to explore more seriously during the summer and early fall.
College Visits
Junior year is the ideal time to participate in formal campus visits. Whenever possible, schedule an admissions presentation, student-led tour, and academic department visit. If available, attend a class, eat in the dining hall, and speak with current students.
Come prepared with questions. Ask about undergraduate teaching opportunities, advising, internships, campus traditions, career placement, and student life. Pay attention not only to what the admissions office tells you, but also to how you feel while walking around campus. Sometimes a school simply feels like home.
Students who miss school for approved college visits should remember to submit the required visitation paperwork (attached on this page) at least a week in advance so absences may be excused. All request and visit confirmation paperwork can be sent to Mrs. Anver.
FCA FM tries to schedule two college field trips each year (one in the fall and one in the spring) to DFW area colleges and universities. Participating in these field trips is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the types of colleges out there and what may be a good fit for you.
Each February, FCA FM partners with Founders Classical Academy of Lewisville to host an annual College Fair. College fairs are an excellent opportunity to explore a wide variety of colleges, compare schools, ask questions, and begin narrowing your college list. Throughout the year, we also host college admissions representatives and information sessions on campus. I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities; they provide a forum to not only to learn about different institutions, but for students to practice introducing themselves, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking confidently with admissions representatives.
Guidance and College Planning
Junior year is when college planning becomes much more individualized. Throughout the year, FCA FM hosts quarterly information sessions for students and families covering various topics related to academics, standardized tests, and apply to college. I strongly encourage both students and parents to attend these meetings.
In addition to these group meetings, students should begin scheduling regular one-on-one meetings with Mrs. Anver. These check-in meetings allow us to discuss academic progress, college goals, testing plans, summer opportunities, course selection, and the development of a balanced college list. Rather than waiting until senior year, I encourage students to meet several times throughout junior year so that we can make thoughtful, informed decisions together and avoid unnecessary stress later.
Each November, FCA FM also hosts our annual Career Exploration Day, where students have the opportunity to learn from professionals representing a variety of careers and educational pathways. During junior and senior year, students will also have an opportunity to participate in mock college interviews, providing valuable experience communicating confidently about their interests, accomplishments, and future goals before interviewing with admissions representatives or scholarship committees.
Involvement and Leadership
Continue investing deeply in the activities that matter most to you. Junior year is often when students assume leadership positions within organizations, athletic teams, fine arts programs, publications, or service organizations.
Colleges value students who contribute meaningfully to their communities, initiate positive change, mentor younger students, solve problems, and demonstrate responsibility. Whether you serve as team captain, editor, club officer, organization member, or faithful volunteer, focus on making a genuine impact rather than accumulating positions. Quality over quantity is key here.
Letters of Recommendation
Near the end of junior year, begin thinking about which teachers know you best both academically and personally. Strong recommendation letters come from teachers who have observed your intellectual curiosity, character, work ethic, and growth over time.
If you anticipate applying to colleges that require recommendation letters, consider asking teachers before summer break so they have ample time to write thoughtful letters during the fall. Always ask politely, provide sufficient notice, and express gratitude for the time they invest in supporting your applications.
Summer Programs
The summer after junior year is one of the most important periods of the college application process. You should finalize your college list, visit additional campuses if necessary, begin working on your College Application Checklist (attached to the College Corner page), complete the activities, awards and experiences spreadsheet, if not already complete, and draft your personal essay(s). Students who begin writing during the summer typically experience a much less stressful senior fall than those who wait until applications open.
If you plan to apply through Early Decision or Early Action, use the summer wisely. Continue volunteering, working, interning or shadowing, participating in meaningful summer programs, or simply growing through experiences that genuinely interest you. Authentic experiences provide the strongest material for college essays.
Grades Still Matter
Although many applications are submitted during the fall, senior year grades remain extremely important. Colleges routinely review first-semester grades, and admission offers are almost always contingent upon successful completion of senior year.
Avoid the temptation of “Senioritis” and to "just get by." Continue challenging yourself academically, fulfill your commitments, and finish high school with the same integrity and diligence that brought you this far. Many scholarship offers and college acceptances are contingent upon maintaining your GPA and graduating on time.
Finalizing the College List
By early fall, your college list should be largely complete. A balanced list generally includes schools that are highly competitive, schools where admission is reasonably likely, and schools where you are very confident of admission. I encourage students to have a list of roughly 10-15 schools, and ultimately apply to approximately 8.
Avoid applying simply because a college is highly ranked. Every application requires significant time and effort. Apply to schools where you would genuinely be excited to enroll. Teachers and administration are available to meet and discuss your college list with you.
College Applications and Xello
The college application process begins long before applications officially open. I strongly encourage students to use the summer before senior year to begin preparing their application materials. This is one of the best ways to reduce stress during the fall semester, when students are simultaneously balancing rigorous coursework, extracurricular commitments, standardized testing, and college deadlines.
Over the summer, students should complete the FCA FM College Application Checklist while also drafting their personal statement and any supplemental essays they anticipate needing. Strong essays require multiple revisions, and thoughtful reflection and editing. Starting the process early is important.
During the first several weeks of Senior Thesis, we will devote time to reviewing and refining application materials. Students will receive individualized feedback on their personal statements, supplemental essays, activity lists, and application strategy. The goal is for every student to submit polished applications that accurately reflect both their accomplishments and their character.
Please reach out to Mrs. Anver with direct troubleshooting questions regarding Xello or Common App. There are also a number of helpful videos available on YouTube which provide step-by-step visual instructions on building your college list, syncing applications and submitting requests for letters of recommendation or transcripts.
Standardized Test Options
Students who wish to improve their SAT, ACT, or CLT scores should plan to complete any final testing during the early fall of senior year. Be mindful of application deadlines and score reporting timelines.
Remember that many colleges remain test-optional, while others continue to require standardized testing. Carefully review each institution's admission requirements before deciding whether to submit scores. Scores on AP exams taken in May of your Senior year will not be received by the school until early July after your graduation. Final AP exam performance acknowledgements will be added to transcripts at this time. Colleges are familiar with this process and will update your final transcript once exam scores are received.
Applying to College
Although many colleges open their applications in August, I generally do not recommend rushing to submit them immediately. Instead, focus on submitting polished, thoughtful applications well before the published deadlines. Most Early Action and Early Decision applications are due on November 1st or November 15th, with a small number of institutions offering earlier deadlines beginning around October 15th. Regular Decision deadlines typically fall between January 1st and January 15th, while colleges with Rolling Admissions review applications as they are received until all available spaces have been filled. Before applying, be sure you understand the differences between Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions so that you select the application timeline that best fits your goals.
At FCA FM, students are required to earn acceptance to at least one college or university as part of our graduation requirements. To support that goal and reduce unnecessary stress during the spring semester, all seniors are expected to complete and submit their college applications by October 1st. This internal deadline provides ample time to resolve technical issues, submit any missing documents, complete scholarship applications, and focus on AP coursework while ensuring that applications are submitted well in advance of nearly all priority deadlines. Students wishing to apply via ApplyTexas during the free application week (October 12-18, 2026) are welcome to do so and are provided a deadline extension for those schools.
Throughout this process, Mrs. Anver is available to review essays, discuss application strategy, answer questions, and assist students and families with every aspect of the college admissions process. A well-prepared application submitted early is almost always preferable to one completed at the last minute.
Involvement and Leadership
Continue participating in the organizations and activities that have become meaningful to you. Colleges appreciate students who remain committed through graduation rather than abandoning activities once applications have been submitted. Your final year provides opportunities to mentor younger students, strengthen your school community, and leave a positive legacy.
Career Exploration and Interview Preparation
Each November, FCA FM also hosts our annual Career Exploration Day, where students have the opportunity to learn from professionals representing a variety of careers and educational pathways. During junior and senior year, students will also have an opportunity to participate in mock college interviews, providing valuable experience communicating confidently about their interests, accomplishments, and future goals before interviewing with admissions representatives or scholarship committees.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Applications
Do not wait until after admission decisions to begin searching for scholarships. Many scholarships have deadlines during the fall and winter of senior year.
Families should also complete the FAFSA and, when required, the CSS Profile as soon as they become available. Financial aid eligibility can significantly affect the overall cost of attendance and should be considered alongside admission decisions. Remember that the published tuition price is often very different from what families actually pay after scholarships and institutional aid are awarded.
AP Exams
Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses should continue preparing diligently for their AP Exams in May. Strong AP scores may allow students to earn college credit, satisfy prerequisite courses, or qualify for advanced placement depending on each college's policies. Even after college admission decisions have been released, AP Exams remain valuable and should be taken seriously.
Diplomas and Transcripts
Final transcripts will be sent to the college you choose to attend after graduation. Be sure to notify Mrs. Anver of your final college decision so transcripts may be sent promptly. Graduates or a parent can pick up a personal copy of your official high school transcript and your diploma over the summer after graduation. Please be sure to check your email for final information from the school regarding scholarships, graduation photos, transcripts and your diploma.