9th Grade

Do well in school and get good grades. Colleges may consider grades starting your 9th grade year. Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Select high school classes you are interested in that will prepare you for college and your intended career path.

• Make sure you know what high school courses are required to graduate and that you’re taking the right classes as early as 9th grade.

• Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of math, and three years of science. Many require two years of a foreign language and a year of visual and performing arts.

Do well in school. Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Select high school classes you are interested in that will prepare you for college and your intended career path.

• Research CTE (Career Technical Education) options at your high school. Check with your high school to see if it has any established career pathways that can help you plan your classes.

• Research career families/ industry sectors to figure out where your interests lie and which high school classes can help you explore and refine your interests.

If you’re interested in playing sports in college, research the National College Athletic Association eligibility requirements The NCAA requires completion of certain core courses, you can find the specifics at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Start thinking about your life after school, including the types of jobs that might interest you. These will change – often – but it’s good to start thinking about the possibilities.

• Identify your interests – likes and dislikes – not just in classes but in all areas. This will help you focus on your goals.

• Talk to other people about careers you might find interesting.

• Try talking to your school counselor, teachers and recent college graduates who are working, professionals in the community, etc.

Meet with your high school counselor for the first time in the fall, and check-in periodically throughout the school year. Your counselor knows how to help you get the most out of high school.

• Discuss post-high school plans with your counselor and create a 4-Year High School Plan that supports your post-high school goals.

Meet with your high school counselor for the first time in the fall, and check-in periodically throughout the school year. Your counselor knows how to help you get the most out of high school.

• Discuss post-high school plans with your counselor and create a 4-Year High School Plan that supports your post-high school goals.

The first step in figuring out which college major or career might be right for you is understanding yourself. Think about what you like to do, what you're good at, and what kind of lifestyle you want to have. To start, take the 16 Personalities Test.

Once you develop awareness of your identities, preferences, strengths, and interests, you can learn about potential career options to inform choices in your academic life, clubs and activities, and post-high school training options.

The first step in figuring out which college major or career might be right for you is understanding yourself. Think about what you like to do, what you're good at, and what kind of lifestyle you want to have. To start, take the 16 Personalities Test.

Once you develop awareness of your identities, preferences, strengths, and interests, you can learn about potential career options to inform choices in your academic life, clubs and activities, and post-high school training options.

Plan next yearʼs schedule to reflect your interests, post-high school goals, and emerging career plans. Challenge yourself with honors/ AP courses; maintain rigor and balance.

Once you identify some career areas that interest you, take a look at your high school curriculum to see what classes delve into these areas and may help in your career decision-making.

Plan next yearʼs schedule to reflect your interests, post-high school goals, and emerging career plans. Challenge yourself with honors/ AP courses; maintain rigor and balance.

Once you identify some career areas that interest you, take a look at your high school curriculum to see what classes delve into these areas and may help in your career decision-making.

Explore summer opportunities. Look for a job, internship, enrichment, or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of interest. Find a job/ career-shadowing experience. Consider taking a concurrent enrollment class at a community college.

Explore summer opportunities. Look for a job, internship, enrichment, or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of interest. Find a job/ career-shadowing experience. Consider taking a concurrent enrollment class at a community college.

Spend your summer productively - work part-time, intern, volunteer, take a college class, and/ or participate in an enrichment program.

Update your high school brag sheet/ resume.

Spend your summer productively - work part-time, intern, volunteer, take a college class, and/ or participate in an enrichment program.

Update your high school brag sheet/ resume.