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Planning for Your Future
When planning a high school program, students should take into consideration special abilities, interests and goals. Each student’s pattern of studies should be built around the courses and subjects required for graduation. By selecting electives that meet needs and interests, students can work toward their own educational, career and technical, or personal goals. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with parents, teachers and school counselors throughout this process.
Steps in Planning
Students should:
- Establish personal goals. Even though these may change, have some specific educational, career and technical, or personal objectives they are working toward.
- Honestly evaluate personal strengths, interests, aptitudes and needs.
- Learn the typical entrance requirements for the kind of college or school or the type of work they hope to pursue after graduation.
- Take part in information nights and college fairs each year, and visit the colleges and vocational resources in
which they are interested. - Consult with their parents, teachers and counselor to benefit from their experience, and talk with others in the community who are working in the professions or vocations they are considering.
- List the courses they would like to include during their high school studies; choose those that will contribute most toward helping them achieve their goals; and think about courses that will enrich their lives and provide useful skills.
- Select courses to ensure their course load will be balanced throughout the four years of high school.
The Role of the School Counselor
Each student has a counselor who is available to assist in planning his or her high school program and to help with college or vocational decisions. The student’s involvement with the counseling department begins the first day of school when the counselor becomes an advocate for the student. Services provided include individual and small group meetings, evening programs for parents and student workshops.
The counseling philosophy is to serve each student’s educational, vocational, social and personal needs as effectively as possible. Students and parents are encouraged to contact the guidance office with questions and concerns.
NCAA Eligibility
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has its own process for determining which courses it will accept for student eligibility. Only classes in English, math (Algebra 1 or higher), natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy may be approved as NCAA core courses. Remedial classes and classes completed through credit-by-exam are not considered NCAA core courses. The NCAA is an independent organization with no affiliation with the New York State Education Department or any other formal entity as it relates to academics at the secondary level. Each high school in the country must submit courses to the NCAA for approval on a yearly basis. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org for more information.
Naviance
Also available through the guidance office is Naviance, a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that helps students connect their academic achievement to post-secondary goals. Students can access various modules such as Self-Discovery, Career Exploration and College Planning. As a result, they learn about their own interests and strengths and make more informed decisions regarding their potential options for post-secondary plans. Obtaining a username and password from the counseling department, students can visit https://succeed.naviance.com/auth/signin to log in, or visit www.naviance.com for general information.
