Welcome to high school, Class of 2030! Freshman year is the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and your most important goal right now is to make a smooth transition and build a strong foundation for the years ahead. Start by getting comfortable with your new...
I hope you've been enjoying a fun and relaxing summer! As the school year gets closer, make the most of the weeks you have left. If you have summer assignments, be sure you're on track to finish them. Then reflect on the goals you set...
Summer is a great time to reflect on what you've learned about yourself during the first year of high school and think about what you'd like the next three years to look like. What classes did you enjoy most? Which activities made you excited to...
Congratulations on completing your first year of high school! Ninth grade is all about adjusting to new expectations, building good habits, and laying the groundwork for the years ahead. As the school year comes to a close and you reflect on what you accomplish, take...
In the homestretch of your first year of high school, keep your focus on finishing strong. Final exams and last-term grades are a valuable opportunity to boost your GPA, so it’s worth putting in the effort now. Start by checking in with your teachers about...
My 9th grader took the PSAT 8/9 in March, sparking conversations about standardized testing. Although I typically don't talk much about the SAT and ACT until students are in 10th grade, I did get some questions from other parents, so I wrote a blog post...
I learned recently that my 9th grader will take the PSAT 8/9 this month. Most of my conversations about standardized testing are with 10th and 11th graders, so I thought I’d share some thoughts on what younger students (and their parents) might want to know. What...
Ninth grade is all about building a strong foundation for a successful high school experience. That means focusing first on academics, and with the first semester behind you, there may be signs about where some additional focus might be needed. Equally important is exploration. If you...
As we approach the halfway point of the school year, which classes are you enjoying, and where are you doing well? These questions can give you important insight, as 9th grade students will soon be asked to choose 10th grade courses. You don’t need to...
As the year winds down and winter settles in, it’s a natural time for students to feel a dip in motivation—and also a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect. Shorter days and colder weather can make it harder to stay focused, so this is a...