• Begin researching career paths early! At JCS, all 8th - 12th grade students will utilize Naviance to begin doing interest and strengths inventories and career assessments.
  
  
• Tour Colleges! Do not assume you will love a school by their brochure alone. Visiting colleges and universities can start as early as freshman year.
  
  
• Start preparing for the SAT and ACT. The PSAT and ACT Aspire also offer excellent insight about your child's college readiness.
  
  
• Attend college planning workshops and events (see events calendar for upcoming opportunities). Talk to your child about their interests and find ways to encourage them in their gifts and talents.
  
  
• Pray with your child! Prayer is powerful and effective. God has promised to lead us if we simply ask for His guidance.
  

• PLAN TO ATTEND OUR JCS COLLEGE APPLICATION PARTY in the Mac Lab on September 10!
  
  
• The Guidance office has developed a survey for graduating seniors to assist new staff members in getting to know your students and learning about their goals for the future! Complete Senior Survey on Naviance if you have not already done so!
  
  
• Naviance Senior Guide offers step by step instructions on how to navigate on the website and is available in Student Services
  
  
• Complete applications before the JCS deadline of October 12!
  
  
• List the colleges you are applying to on Naviance
  
  
• Submit transcript and recommendation requests online via Naviance
  
  
• You will send your scores through College Board or ACT.org

This year, it is vital to challenge yourself with academic rigor by selecting competitive classes, performing in your academic core and elective courses and beginning to study for your SAT and ACT. Please keep in mind that Khan Academy and ACT Academy are free test prep resources, which can offer simulations of testing to support you as you endeavor to reach your maximum potential with testing!  A few reminders for Juniors:

• You have two excused absences per semester for college visits starting Junior year. Please be sure to arrange this in advance with the Guidance office and communicate to teachers about this.
  
  
• You can begin testing for ACT and SAT the summer prior to your senior year
  You should consider test prep starting this year to gain comfort in testing and focus on your applications in your senior year

This is a year of personal growth. In addition to working hard in school and being involved in activities, now is the time to start identifying and developing your personal abilities, strengths, and interests. Look for ways to get involved to further develop your talents and skills. Here are several things to keep in mind:

• Keep a record of all of your extracurricular involvement, volunteer work, and employment. Continue to build your resume. Don't forget, the level of involvement and accomplishment is most important, not the number of activities.
  
  
• Make sure you are "on top" of your academic work. If necessary, meet with your teachers for additional help.

Welcome to high school! As a freshman, everything starts to "count" towards your final high school GPA. All of the activities, honors, and awards you receive can now be listed on college and scholarship applications. Now is the time to explore your interests and participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. A few tips as you start this journey:

• Build relationships with your teachers and counselors. They are here to help and support you throughout your time in high school and are excited to get to know you!
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with and utilize Naviance to browse through college profiles to find schools that may be of interest to you and learn which high school courses they require for admissions

7th Graders: Welcome to the Upper School! We are so excited to get to know you. We will be hosting a 7th Grade Transition Presentation for you on September 6 during GAP time to equip you for success. Whether you're struggling academically, trying to navigate friendships, or just want someone to share your hopes and dreams, we are here to help you make the most of your time here at JCS. Stop by the Guidance Office anytime!

8th Graders: Welcome to 8th grade! In this final year of middle school, work to challenge yourself and plan for success in your upcoming high school years. Now is the time to start refining your time management skills, study skills, and communication skills with your teachers and peers. If those are areas that you'd like to improve in, please come by the Guidance Office – we are here to help!

November 15th - Financial Aid Workshop and Admissions Panel at JCS. Learn about federal aid, grants, scholarships and get an inside look into the Admission process.

• October 7th from 1:00-4:00 p.m., South Florida NACAC at Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
  
  
• October 15th from 6:00pm-7:15pm, Suncoast Community High School College Fair at Suncoast Community High School
  
  
• October 16th from 7:00p.m. - 8:30p.m., Benjamin School College Fair at the Benjamin School in the Gymnasium
  
  
• October 17th from 6:00p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Palm Beach County Fair at the South Florida Fairgrounds