Year by Year: What Should Happen?

Activities to Accomplish in the 9th Grade, (Freshmen):

All the following activities should be accomplished during the 9th grade. Review this list as your student registers for courses.

• Complete a tentative four-year plan for courses in grades 9 through 12. This should be done on the basis of a chosen educational pathway. This may be done during a freshman conference with student.
• Meet graduation requirements to date and enroll in a full-time program.
• Participate in a career exploration activity, researching careers of possible interest and revising a career pathway.
• Receive summer school information if there are failed requirements.
• Receive information necessary in preparation for 10th grade registration.

Activities to Accomplish in the 10th Grade, (Sophomores):

All the following activities should be accomplished during the 10th grade. Review this first when your student registers for courses.

• Review and revise as appropriate, educational pathway and courses listed on four-year planning sheet.
• Meet graduation requirements to date and enroll in a full-time program.
• Receive educational and/or career planning information necessary as preparation for 11th grade registration.
• Receive summer school information if there are failed requirements.
• Enroll in at least four academic courses or vocational pathway courses that are appropriate to career goal. For example, a major in engineering generally requires four years of college- preparatory math and three years of science.
• Begin Internet, career center or library search of college costs, scholarships and possible financial aid available for college.

Activities to Accomplish in the 11th Grade, (Juniors):

All the following activities should be accomplished during the 11th grade. Review this list when student registers for courses.

• Review courses listed in the individual four-year educational plan.
• Define further occupational / college goals (student may require more information about career interests).
• Consult with a counselor if there is a change in student's plans and goals. A change in course selection may be made.
• Attend the Career Fair.
• Receive summer school information if there are failed requirements.
• Visit the career center or conduct your own search for information on colleges, scholarships, and financial aid on the Internet and begin the process of selecting a college or site of further training / vocational school.
• College bound students should sign up in September or early October to take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) usually on the third Saturday in October.
• Attend the spring College Faire at Sonoma State University.
• Begin nomination process if applying for military academies.
• Apply for early admission or out-of-state college information, If appropriate.
• Register for spring SAT I / ACT (college entrance tests) and fall SAT II if applying to a University of California campus.
• Visit the school's career center for a complete listing of in-state and out-of-state programs if considering a two-year community college program, vocational school, or apprenticeship program.

Activities to Accomplish in the 12th Grade, (Seniors):

Twelfth grade career planning activities should be started as early as possible during the fall. This planning is extremely important, especially for college-bound students. Review this list when the student registers for courses.

• Review four-year planning sheet.
• Check credits for graduation, if deficiencies exist, see a counselor for make-up plan.
• See a counselor and/or use services from the career center if unsure of college, vocational, or work choice.
• Plan to meet with recruiters from all branches of the service if considering the military after graduation.
• Complete graduation name card and order cap and gown, etc.
• Take college entrance exam(s), ACT or SAT I, in spring of Junior year or early fall of senior year. Take S.A.T. II by December if applying to a UC.
• Apply to the University of California and California State Colleges between November 1-30.
• Write for private and out-of-state college application forms and procedures. Be sure to make copies of the applications and get a Certificate of Mailing.
• Attend college information and Financial Aid workshops.
• Apply for financial aid starting January 1st. FAFSA and Cal Grant applications must be mailed by March 2nd. Be sure to make copies of the applications and get a Certificate of Mailing.
• Apply for scholarships. Read the Scholarship Alert posted in all Government, Economics and senior English classes for current scholarships available in the counseling office.