High School Planner

9th Gradegoals

  • Check your grades and evaluate your progress every term. The High School Academic Evaluations on FloridaShines.org is a great resource.
  • If you haven’t already looked at possible careers and education requirements, explore the Career Planning websites.
  • Start looking at admission requirements for different postsecondary institutions (schools after high school such as community colleges, technical centers, colleges and universities, etc).
  • Try to plan coursework for all your high school years now. Qualifying for graduation, Bright Futures scholarships, the Talented 20 program, and higher ed admissions, all depend in part on course selections.
  • Take schoolwork seriously because every year counts. You have already started applying to programs!!

10th Grade

  • Check your grades and evaluate your progress every term. The High School Academic Evaluations on FloridaShines.org is a great resource.
  • Meet with your guidance counselor and ask about placement into AP and dual enrollment courses to earn high school and college credit.
  • Register to take the PSAT test in October. It’s the SAT practice test and the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
  • Register to take the Pre-ACT test in the spring. It’s the ACT practice test. The Pre-ACT includes an interest inventory to help you with education and career planning.
  • If you haven’t already done so, use the career planning programs on FloridaShines.org or other career planning sites to help identify careers of interest to you.

11th Grade

  • Check your grades and evaluate your progress.
  • Meet with your guidance counselor about placement into AP and dual enrollment courses to earn high school and college credit.
  • Register to take the PSAT and Pre-ACT practice tests in the fall.
  • Be aware of deadlines and requirements for admissions at schools you are considering, such as test scores, high school transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, essays, portfolio items, resumes, etc. You may want to start putting some of these things together.
  • Attend career and college/university fairs held at your high school or in the area.
  • Take the SAT and/or ACT tests in spring and summer. The ACT test will be given to all 11th grade students in the spring.
  • After completing specific advanced coursework, take the SAT-II subject tests or AP exams to earn college credit.
  • Start looking for scholarship and financial aid opportunities. Go to the library, guidance counselor, career center, or the Internet to find scholarship and financial aid directories. Request applications and keep track of deadlines.
  • Interested in an athletic scholarship? Talk to your coaches, contact the athletic departments of your favorite schools, or go to the NCAA web site for more information. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Plan visits to campuses. Make appointments, especially if visiting during the summer.

 12th Grade

  • Check your grades and evaluate your progress.
  • Continue taking AP and dual enrollment courses, if you qualify.
  • After completing specific advanced coursework, take the SAT-II subject tests or AP exams to earn college credit.
  • Take the SAT or ACT in the fall or retake them if necessary.
  • Prepare admissions application packages and begin applying in fall.
  • After December 1, but before the end of your senior year, complete the Florida Financial Aid Student Application (FFASA) to apply for state grant, scholarship (including Bright Futures), and loan programs.
  • After October 1, but before the earliest college deadline, complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) application. Be sure to send the application early to maximize your chances for receiving financial aid.
  • Wait for college admission decisions and financial aid award letters. You need to determine the college best meeting your personal academic goals and financial needs. Many schools have an early-May decision deadline to accept or decline applicants.
  • Upon notification of acceptance, let the other colleges you applied to know of your decision. This frees up places and possible financial aid for other students.
  • Work with guidance counselors to find colleges and universities with openings if your top choices are not available.
  • Be aware, after acceptance there may still be things to do such as arranging for final transcripts to be sent, housing applications, and immunizations.