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9th & 10th Grade: Building the Foundation
Your freshman and sophomore years set the tone for the rest of high school. This is the time to develop strong study habits, explore your interests, and get involved in activities that matter to you. Think of these years as building blocks for your future.
9th & 10th Grade: Building the Foundation
Your freshman and sophomore years set the tone for the rest of high school. This is the time to develop strong study habits, explore your interests, and get involved in activities that matter to you. Think of these years as building blocks for your future.
Focus for These Years
Focus for These Years
Take challenging classes and do your best — these grades matter for GPA.
Explore new electives, clubs, and community activities.
Learn about high school graduation and Bright Futures requirements.
Begin exploring college majors and careers that fit your strengths.
💬 Edgewood Tip: Meet with your counselor early to review your high school plan and make sure you’re on track for college-prep or honors-level coursework.
Explore and Learn
Explore and Learn
Resources & Tools:
College Board 9th Grade Checklist: - A step-by step plan fo ryou first year of high school
College Board 10th Grade Checklist - Guidance on preparing for PSAT, AP, and career exploration
FloridaShines – Get Ready for College 9th Grade - A semester-by-semester guide to help 9th graders stay on track with classes, activities, and college prep goals.
FloridaShines – Get Ready for College 10th Grade - A semester-by-semester roadmap to guide 10th graders through coursework, testing, and exploration toward college readiness.
ACT – High School Resources--9th grade ebook - Advice and planning tools to make the most of freshman year as you build a strong academic foundation.
ACT – High School Resources--10th grade ebook - Tips and strategies for 10th graders on course choices, prepping for testing, and exploring opportunities.
Common App – Explore the Application - A quick look ahead at what college applications require.
Common App 9th grade checklist - A seasonal checklist for freshmen: meet your counselor early, choose challenging courses, get involved in activities, and begin conversations about paying for college.
Common App 10th grade checklist - Continues the roadmap into sophomore year with advice on academic rigor, extracurricular consistency, and preparing for standardized testing.
Inspiration — Real Student Activity Lists
See examples of diverse activities and leadership roles from students admitted to top colleges. Use this as inspiration, not comparison. These examples come from highly selective applicants — the goal is to spark ideas for your own meaningful experiences.
Semester Checklist
Semester Checklist
Fall
Review your schedule and GPA goals.
Get involved in one new activity or volunteer role.
Create a résumé or brag sheet to start tracking achievements.
Spring
Explore college and career options using Xello on Launchpad (SSO).
Take the PSAT 10 or Pre-ACT if available.
Meet with your counselor to plan for junior-year courses.
Watch & Explore
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