A Planning List for Parents of Tenth Graders

It may seem early to start thinking about getting your child ready for college, but it really isn’t- important groundwork should take place in ninth and tenth grade. Here’s a list to help you make sure our child is on the right track: 

1. Meet with the school counselor-again.Make sure your child meets with his or her school counselor to ensure that they are enrolled in college preparatory courses. 
2. Check to see that your child is taking any prerequisitesto advanced-level junior and senior year courses.
3. Ask if the PSAT/NMSQT is offered to tenth graders-While this test is usually taken in the eleventh grade, it is also often offered in the tenth.  That’s because it provides invaluable feedback on the Student Score Report; tenth graders can then work on any disclosed academic weakness while there is still ample time to improve them.
4. Attend college and career fairs– These often take place in the fall, at your school, or in your area.
5. Support your child’s participation in a school activity or volunteer effort.Extracurricular activities help students develop time-management skills and enrich the school experience.
6. Tour college campuses. If possible, take advantage of vacation or family travel opportunities to visit colleges and see what they’re like.

​Even if there is no interest in attending the college you are visiting, it will help your child learn what to look for in a college. 

7. Take the Pre-ACT assessment–this test is offered to all 10^th graders at no cost to the student.  The Pre-ACT is a powerful predictor of success on the ACT.  Many schools recognize the importance of Pre-ACT testing for all students, as it focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement.