Summer College Prep Checklist for High School Families

7/9/2021

By: CCA’s School Counseling Team

With roughly one more month until school resumes, there’s still ample time for your child to redeem the time. Review this summer checklist CCA’s School Counseling team put together with your rising high schooler and see what you can still accomplish during these final few weeks of summer!

Do you have a child in high school who is running out of things to do this summer? If so, don’t panic!

With roughly one more month until school resumes, there’s still ample time for your child to redeem the time by taking proactive steps toward preparing for the college application process. It’s never too early to get a head start.

It’s never too early to get a head start.

In Proverbs 6, we are told to look at the wise example of the ant. Verses 7 and 8 state that this tiny but mighty creature “has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

When we take the initiative to plan ahead with diligence — while ultimately recognizing that the Lord is the one who determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9) — we can reap blessings like peace, knowledge, opportunities, and so much more.

This month, set aside some time to review this summer checklist put together by CCA’s School Counseling team with your rising freshmen, sophomore, junior, and/or senior, and see what you can still accomplish during these final few weeks of summer!

Summer Goals for Rising Freshmen and Sophomores

Create and link a College Board account with your Khan Academy account (a free resource!) to begin PSAT prep

Did you know?
The PSAT/NMSQT exam students take in their junior year can qualify them for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Many CCA alumni like the ones featured in this article have been offered full and partial scholarships to universities because of this prestigious designation!

Work on any summer reading and math assignments you may have been assigned.

CCA Fort Lauderdale families can find all summer work assignments on the MyCCA Summer Resources Board.

Earn community service hours

Have a goal of at least 30 hours by the start of 10th grade. 120 hours is the graduation requirement here at CCA; by meeting this requirement, students also meet the minimum service hour requirements for the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship.

CCA students can log their hours using this form.

Summer Goals for Rising Juniors

Prep for the PSAT/SAT/ACT

CCA upperclassmen have the opportunity to take an SAT/ACT prep course hosted by Sensa Educational Systems on our Fort Lauderdale campus this summer; a virtual option is available as well.

When: July 26-30, 2021 (baseline practice test administered on July 24)
Time: 1:00-4:30 PM
Cost: $300

To enroll your child, contact the instructor, Nicole Momot, at 407-782-7629 or sensa2@sensaedu.com. Click here to read what CCA students who have taken this course have to say about it!

Make a list of colleges/universities you may consider attending and visiting

CCA upperclassmen have access to Naviance — an excellent, comprehensive online tool for college and career planning. Students can use Naviance’s college search feature to research information on different colleges and identify ones that will be a good fit based on their interests and other criteria. You can even bookmark colleges you’re thinking of applying to!

CCA parents with questions about Naviance can reach out to their child’s School Counselor.

Continue working on your community service hours!

Joining a service-oriented school club is a fun and easy way to accumulate service hours with peers while making a difference in the community together. To view a list of High School clubs offered at CCA, click here.

Summer Goals for Rising Seniors

Prep for the SAT/ACT

(See section above for an on-campus SAT/ACT prep course being offered this summer!)

Narrow down your college choices and begin college applications/essays

Using Naviance (see previous section for more details about the platform) is also a great way to stay organized throughout the college application process.

Class of 2022 families at CCA should also plan to attend CCA’s fall college fair and FAFSA workshop. Event details will be shared on MyCCA; sign up to receive notifications if you haven’t already!

Schedule campus visits if you have not done so already

If possible, it is best to plan campus visits when classes are in session. Or, you can make it a fun family road trip during a holiday break! Should college visits need to be planned during the school year, upperclassmen have two excused absences that can be used toward college campus visits.

If traveling is not an option, taking a virtual tour of the campus online is the second best way to get acquainted with a campus.

There you have it. As you can see, there’s never a shortage of things to do when you’re in high school.

As you tackle this checklist together as a family, we encourage you to approach it with a positive, teachable attitude, making the most of this season God has you in!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

–Jeremiah 29:11

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