T24 Future Ready Resources

  • Make sure you're future ready by following these checklists.

Elementary

  • Get involved! After-school activities, Boys and Girls Clubs, youth groups, community organizations, sports and the list goes on. Students who are involved tend to do better in school.
  • Start talking about college and post-secondary training at home. Let your child know that you can see him or her succeeding in this type of environment.
  • Start a college savings account. Even a small amount makes a difference later.
  • Fifth Grade Career Fair happens in the fall. Talk about jobs and careers that you see every day and what type of education it might take to get there. If you do not know, research it together.
  • Create a study environment and study routine at home. Making it a habit now will pay off in the future.
  • Regular attendance is key for academic achievement and on-time graduation. Chronic absenteeism is missing more than 18 days in a school year (that's two days a month). 

Middle School

  • Determine eligibility for the CollegeBound Scholarship and sign up!
  • Register for WashBoard.org and get connected to free Washington scholarships.
  • Get involved and/or do community service. Colleges and the workforce are looking for this in their future students and employees. It is never too early to get started.
  • Talk as a family about T24 options after high school.
  • Think about careers, majors or jobs that might be interesting and research them.
  • Go check out a college campus. There is no cost to walk around and tour a campus on your own, although colleges are happy to provide tour guides! Setting foot on a college campus significantly increases the likelihood that your student will go. SCC, SFCC, EWU, GU, and Whitworth are all a car or bus ride away.
  • Eighth grade students start using SchooLinks (our college-career software). Ask them what their education and career goal is. Students and parents can use this for free any time.
  • Eighth graders start their High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP). This is a high school graduation requirement and an intentional way for students and families to plan for their T24 options after high school.

9th & 10th Grade

  • Enroll in challenging classes. (Stretch yourself!)
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community.
  • Explore careers and job opportunities. Attend a GSI: Business After School Event (talk to your counselor)
  • Study hard and do well in school.
  • Get to know your high school counselor and let them get to know you and your goals, career aspirations, schools you are considering, etc.
  • Take the PSAT (fall of 10th grade) as a practice for when it really counts, next year.
  • Start looking at 2-year and 4-year colleges using SchooLinks.
  • Attend a college fair (FALL).
  • Start a college savings account.
  • If interested, compare military academies versus military enlistment versus 4-year ROTC programs.
  • Ask your counselor about information or visits to trade schools or pre-apprenticeship training centers.
  • During registration, ask your counselor about NEWTech Skill Center programs.

11th Grade

  • This year's academic record will go a long way toward either helping or hurting your chances of gaining admission to your schools of choice. You can make up ground if you've been having difficulties and you can keep up the hard work you've already exhibited.
  • Take the PSAT in October.
  • Take the ACT and/or SAT during the spring semester.
  • Research possible colleges using SchooLinks and request or download information from them.
  • Research if your potential future college requires SAT Subject Tests.
  • Visit college campuses.
  • Take solid elective courses (extra math, science, foreign language, social sciences, computers, etc.).
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community
  • Attend a GSI: Business After School Event (talk to your counselor)
  • Talk to a military recruiter if you are contemplating the military and ask about ROTC programs.

12th Grade

  • Gather application info for the schools you are considering (note deadlines for admission, scholarships, housing, etc.).
  • Request letters of recommendation and give people lots of time to write them (at least two weeks).
  • Apply for scholarships and financial aid. (Try searching in SchooLinks.)
  • Apply for admission (pay close attention to deadlines).
  • Continue to challenge yourself and take solid elective classes.
  • Attend college fairs in your area.
  • Visit college campuses.
  • Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers. Attend a GSI: Business After School Event (talk to your counselor)
  • Create a resume.
  • Take the ACT/SAT for colleges and universities.
  • Take community college placement exams.
  • Take the ASVAB for military placement.
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