Pope John Paul II High School 9 th and 10 th Grade Parent Night College Program

1. Pope John Paul II High School9th and 10th GradeParent Night College Program

2. Counseling Department Kelsey Hill, Director of Counseling House of Clement and House of Gregory kelsey.hill@jp2hs.org Mary Brahos, School Counselor House of Pius and House of Peter mary.brahos@jp2hs.org Sarah McIlroy, School Counselor House of Leo and House of John sarah.mcilroy@jp2hs.org

3. Long term Goals for the Classes of 2022 and 2023 • Help students understand and navigate the college search, selection, and application process • To establish an "initial list" of prospective schools • To research, contact, and visit schools on the "initial list" in order to create a final list of schools • Help students understand and utilize our digital college preparation platform • To assist each student in finding a school that is the right fit (academically, socially, professionally and financially) • Facilitate healthy identity development

4. 9th and 10th Family College Night Program Outline • Academics • Class Selection • Testing • Extracurricular Involvement • College Counseling Timeline

5. Academics and the Transcript • Encourage your student to study diligently and be sure to attend tutorials to ask teachers for help as questions arise • Strong and steady academic performance will serve them well • Transcript - colleges are looking at: • 1) Grades 2) Rigor 3) Trends • Keep in mind, if your student had a slow start in 9th grade, recognize that an upward grade trend is noted and appreciated by colleges

6. Testing • On October 16th, all 10th and 11th grade students take the PSAT as practice for the SAT. 9th grade students take a practice ACT (CERT PreACT). Your student should take these tests seriously and do his/her best, using it as practice for future tests. • For information on the PSAT, as well as an online practice test, go to collegeboard.org • SAT and ACT - families should register online, colleges will accept either test • Begin official SAT and/or ACT testing in the winter/spring of 11th grade • ACT test prep available through Innov8, SAT test prep available through Khan Academy online

7. Class Schedule • Consider level of rigor in class selection - students need a balanced class schedule with an appropriate level of challenge • Students can seek input from teachers, academic dean, and counselors • Use Innov8 courses to explore academic and professional interests

8. Extracurricular Interests • Encourage your student to explore a variety of activities with an eye toward leadership and dedication • Encourage your student to explore enriching summer programs • Colleges are considering: • What your student is passionate about? • How does he/she spend his/her time? • How will he/she enhance the college community? • Does he/she have leadership experience? • Has he/she demonstrated dedication?

9. College Counseling Timeline Eleventh Grade • Continue to focus on academics • Explore extracurricular interests in greater depth • Take appropriately challenging courses • PSAT, ACT and/or SAT • JPII College Fair, Admission Representative Visits and NACAC College Fair • Individual meetings with college counselor • College visits

10. College Counseling Timeline Continued Twelfth Grade • Continue to focus on academics • ACT and/or SAT • Continue to meet with college counselor • Finalize list of schools • Complete and submit college applications and financial aid/scholarship applications by the appropriate deadlines • Make a decision

11. A Last Word on “Fit” • Academic Fit • Cultural Fit • Social Fit • Professional Fit • Financial Fit • Personal Fit

15. Questions???