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Do you have a high schooler? Are you a high schooler?
As of the 2011-2012 school year, I am requiring a quick portfolio plan
form to be included in all high school portfolios.
I've met a number of new families who are really struggling to create functional portfolios, and I'm hoping this will help. Thanks so much for your cooperation!
If you're just starting out the journey, here is a quick timeline to get you started:
Junior High
- Parents: Prayerfully commit to homeschooling the high school years
- Students: Solidify the "why" of your mathematical skills
- Students: Solidify writing, organizational, and study skills
- Parents: Practice tracking grades and maintaining organized records
Freshman Year
- Parents & Students: Research standardized tests and college requirements
- Parents: Establish graduation requirements and rough out future courses as needed
- Students: Begin tracking activities (include dates, contact people, and addresses)
- Parents: Begin your child's "High School Portfolio" and "Transcript"
Sophomore Year
- Students: Take a practice PSAT in October (if desired)
- Students: Research gifts, aptitudes, and career, military, and college
- Students: Begin creating a resume; include work experience and extracurriculars
- Students: Continue tracking "extra" activities... get letters of recommendation
- Students: Consider taking the SAT this spring, for practice
- Parents: Update High School Portfolio and Transcript
- Parents & Students: Consider setting up mentoring or internships for next year
Junior Year
- Students: Take the PSAT in October (important for NMSP qualification)
- Students: Take needed SAT II exams directly after completing the appropriate courses
- Students: Prepare for and take the SAT or ACT exam (don't panic)
- Students: Hit the books... this is your last chance to shine!
- Parents & Students: Investigate colleges and financial aid information
- Students: Update resume; include work experience and extracurriculars
- Students: Continue tracking "extra" activities... get letters of recommendation
- Parents: Update High School Portfolio and Transcript
Senior Year
- Students: Retake the SAT this fall if needed
- Students: Apply for colleges this fall
- Parents: File yearly taxes ASAP and file financial aid forms soon after
- Students: Consider CLEP or AP exams.
- Students: Don't slack off on the academics, college acceptances are conditional
- Students: Finalize resume; include work experience and extracurriculars
- Students: Finalize tracking "extra" activities... get letters of recommendation now
- Parents: Finalize High School Portfolio and finalize and certify Transcript
- Parents: Prepare a diploma and graduate your student
HSLDA has a great, "Keeping on Track" brochure, available here.
As always, if you have a high school resource or suggestion that you would recommend, I would love to include it here!
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