Parental Involvement

Our goal is to partner with you and your student every step of the way. Below is a year-by-year guide to help you stay informed and engaged as your child moves through high school and prepares for college.

9th Grade: Foundations Matter

• Review your student’s academic plan at the beginning of the school year.
  
• Monitor academic progress by checking grades online and reaching out to teachers when needed.
  
• Encourage involvement in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities - these experiences help develop skills and interests that colleges value.
  
• Start a record of your child’s activities, achievements, and awards (this will come in handy later for college and scholarship applications).

10th Grade: Exploring Interests

• Continue to check in on grades and progress regularly.
  
• Support your student in deepening their involvement and seeking leadership opportunities.
  
• Ask about the PSAT results and discuss areas for improvement.
  
• Begin to explore college options together by browsing websites, or stopping by a college fair.
  
• Help your student plan for a meaningful summer, ideally with activities related to their interests or potential career paths.

11th Grade: Getting Serious

• This is a critical academic year — junior-year grades are often the last full year of grades colleges will see.
  
• Keep encouraging extracurricular involvement and leadership.
  
• Have conversations about college preferences  (location, size, majors, cost, etc.).
  
• Attend college visits, info sessions, and fairs — these can be great exposure to options your student may not have considered.
  
• Ensure your child takes the SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
  
• Start narrowing down college choices and plan visits over the summer.
  
• Update the activities/awards list — you’ll thank yourself later!

12th Grade: Application Season

• Help your student stay organized with a calendar of deadlines (college apps, scholarships, financial aid, etc.).
  
• Guide them in building a balanced college list: 1–2 safety schools, 2–3 target schools, and 1–2 reach schools.
  
• Encourage retaking the SAT or ACT if needed but remind them that test scores are just one part of the application.
  
• Review applications together and ensure they are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
  
• File the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 (note: date may change based on updates to the FAFSA release).
  
• Once decisions are in, celebrate the choice and confirm enrollment and housing by the stated deadlines.