Parent Action Plan - 10th Graders

As your child settles into the high school experience, it’s a great time for him or her to take on new challenges. It’s also not too early to explore career goals and post secondary options. Use the list below to help make 10th grade count. Please contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions.
Summer

Visit a college campus or trade school together. It’s a great way to get your 10th-grader excited about continuing their education.
Get the facts about what post secondary educations cost. You may be surprised by how affordable higher education can be. Start by reading Understanding College Costs.
Help your sophomore explore career ideas. He or she can make a list of interests, talents and favorite activities and start matching them with occupations. Learn how to use exercises like these to make a career worksheet.
Assist your child in finding a job shadowing experience to explore various career options.

Fall

If your child begins an elective class and determines that it is not a good fit, they must meet with their counselor within the first two weeks of school to develop a plan.
Encourage your child meets with the school counselor during the first 9-weeks of school to talk post secondary options.
Encourage your child to set goals for the school year. Working toward specific goals helps your high schooler stay motivated and focused.
Make a plan to check PowerSchool frequently to keep up with your child's tests, papers and homework assignments, you can celebrate successes and head off problems as a team. If you do not know your logon, please contact your child's school counselor.
Talk about extracurricular activities. Getting involved in clubs and other groups is a great way for your child to identify interests and feel more engaged in school. Post secondary schools often encourage extracurricular activities. Read more about the benefits of extracurriculars.
Encourage your 10th-grader get ready and do their best on preliminary exams. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT this fall can help your child prepare for college admission tests. Sophomores can also use their score reports to figure out which academic areas they need to work on. Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT.

Winter

Review PSAT/NMSQT results together. Your child’s score report indicates his or her academic strengths and weaknesses. Review the report together and talk about ways to improve in areas that need attention. Help him or her log in to My College QuickStart to get personalized feedback based on his or her PSAT/NMSQT score report.
Start thinking about post-secondary funding options. Most families get help paying for costs. Read 7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid to learn more.
Encourage your child to talk with their school counselor about their career path to determine the most beneficial classes to take.

Spring

Some 11th grade classes allow students to earn college credits for a small fee while doing the regular coursework. Contact your school counselor if you have additional questions.
Make a college wish list together. Talk with your 10th-grader about qualities he or she may want in a college in terms of location, size, majors offered and so on. Check out How to Find a College That Fits You to learn more about deciding on college must-haves.
See how much you need to save for post-secondary education. Use the College Savings Calculator to get an idea of where you are in terms of your savings goal.
Help your child make summer plans. Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills — and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Find out five ways your high schooler can stay motivated this summer.
Encourage your child to discuss possible summer camps with their school counselor.