9/10th Grade:
Develop good habits:
Work hard to earn good grades
Study
Do your homework
Attend school and all classes on a regular basis
Turn in excuse blanks within 3 days when absent
Keep track of your assignments and stay organized
Ask for help when you need it
Think ahead to your future and set goals
Keep your behavior in check; no discipline referrals
Get involved in extracurricular activities
Stay out of peer drama
Get enough sleep (8-10 hours per night)
If you become aware of something concerning, immediately tell an adult
Research careers using resources such as O*NET, BigFuture, CareerOneStop, Occupational Outlook Handbook, My Next Move, Learn How to Become, and Education Planner.
RHS students-- consider taking the ASVAB, held in the spring
The ASVAB is also offered in 11th and 12th grade for RHS and MHS students
11th Grade:
Maintain good habits (listed above under 9/10th Grade)
Continue researching careers (use the resources above under 9/10th Grade)
Take the PSAT in October at your home school
If you are considering attending a postsecondary school, attend the Berks County Regional College Fair; typically during an evening in October at Albright College
If you are considering attending a 4-year college/university, register to take the SAT or ACT in the spring (**if you receive free or reduced lunch, you are eligible to receive a fee waiver; see your counselor at your home school for the fee waiver**)
Visit postsecondary schools you are considering (check with your home school a few weeks in advance to find out if these visits can be counted as an "educational trip" for attendance purposes, if you need to miss school for them)
If you are considering playing a college-level sport with the NCAA, make a profile page (Division III), or certification account (Division I or II; if you receive free or reduced lunch, you are eligible for a fee waiver from NCAA; ask your school counselor at your home school for the fee waiver)
If you are considering attending a postsecondary school, attend the Spring College Fair at Alvernia University (typically in March; check with your home school to see if they are running a field trip there)
Start familiarizing yourself with financial aid (ex. FAFSA, PHEAA, etc.)
Start researching scholarships if you plan on attending postsecondary school
If you are considering the military, get in touch with a recruiter and take the ASVAB at your home school in the fall (RHS) or November (MHS) or at a local recruiting office
Consider getting a part-time job
Create a resume and a draft of a cover letter
12th Grade:
Maintain good habits (listed above under 9/10th Grade)
If you plan on entering the workforce directly from high school:
Research open positions and their requirements
Make accounts on different job-searching websites (ex. Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, etc.)
Update your resume
Write a cover letter, if needed
Make sure you have 3 people you can use as references. Ask permission to use them as a reference first. Do not use family members.
Practice interviewing skills with someone before your interview
Proofread your application before submitting it to make sure all information is accurate and spelled correctly
Make sure you have an open bank account to deposit your paychecks into once you secure a job
If you plan on attending a postsecondary school (trade/technical school, 2-year college, 4-year college):
Visit the schools you are interested in. Contact the admissions representative for our area, if needed. You can find that information on the "Undergraduate Admissions" part of the college/university's website.
Request your FSA ID, then submit your FAFSA, starting in December. Attend a FAFSA Completion Night event at your home school. You can also contact the Hispanic Center of Reading for help, as well.
If you want to learn more about certain colleges, consider attending the Berks County Regional College Fair; typically during an evening in October at Albright College
Be aware of application deadlines and requirements!
Submit your applications on time (**if you are applying through the CommonApp website and receive free or reduced lunch, you can indicate you are eligible for a fee waiver on your CommonApp account**)
If you need recommendations from a teacher or counselor, ensure you request those with at least 2 weeks' notice
Make sure you request your transcript from your home school. Applications will not be considered complete without your transcript.
If an essay is required, proofread your essay before submitting it
Take the SAT/ACT, if needed, and send your scores directly to the colleges you are applying to from the College Board website
If you are planning on playing an NCAA sport, make sure you are registered with the NCAA
Apply for scholarships. These can be found through your home school, the Berks County Community Foundation, through the "Financial Aid" portion of the websites for the colleges/universities you are applying to, and on national scholarship databases (Fastweb, CollegeBoard, CareerOneStop, Peterson's, Niche, Going Merry, etc.)
Please keep in mind you should never enter credit card information when applying for scholarships, be charged a fee for applying, or need to enter your social security number. Remember there are scams that exist, so if something doesn't "seem right" to you about a particular scholarship you find, please check with an adult first!
If you plan on enlisting in the military:
Research the different branches within the military
Ensure that you have taken the ASVAB either at your home school (fall for RHS or November for MHS) or through a local recruiting office
Contact a local recruiter to start the process. Ensure you are contacting the military branch you plan to enlist in.