Spring Lake Park Schools, MN - District 16





Counseling Department


 



Guidance and Counseling

Grade 10 - Class of 2011
 

PLANning the Future Starts Now!

FamilyEducation.com is a great resource! Click here for sophomore-specific information on preparing for college.

The sophomore year is a transition year for most of our high school students. Students have probably begun to think a lot about what the future may hold. What will their job be like? Where will they live? Will they travel to new places? Will they go to college?

It may seem to students that they have a long way to go before completing their high school "career". Reality is, their time in high school will be over quicker than they thought, and "real life" will be facing them square in the eyes.

By the end of the sophomore year, the vast majority of required classes are completed or underway and the student needs to begin thinking more seriously about life after high school. This is particularly important because registration for the junior year involves students having many more choices in classes. It is important to understand that the courses students choose to take can have a direct connection to future career and educational possibilities.

Making plans and decisions about the future is an important activity for high school students. We encourage parents to take an active and supportive part in this challenging process.

PLAN - Go to PLAN Powerpoint Presentation

In order to assist the student and parents in making better decisions, Spring Lake Park High School participates in the American College Testing program called PLAN.

In October, the entire sophomore class takes the PLAN Assessment which is used by roughly one-third of the nation's high schools. This assessment is offered to help students get a head start on career and educational planning. The PLAN will help sophomores explore options in:

  • CAREERS
  • EDUCATION
  • TRAINING

MESSAGE TO PARENTS REGARDING THE PLAN:

As the parent of a high school student, you are naturally concerned about your son's or daughter's future. You want your son or daughter to find a satisfying job or career, live a rewarding life, and fulfill his or her potential.

One of the most important factors in reaching these goals is education . And one of the best ways to ensure that students get the education they need and want, both in high school and beyond, is to help them make sound, informed plans and then take the steps necessary to turn those plans into action.

As a parent/guardian, you can play an influential role in shaping your son's or daughter's planning and preparation. By getting involved in the process early, you can participate in making key decisions and providing support. One major involvement is making sure you attend a PLAN Interpretation & Pre-Registration Parent/Student Meeting during the sophomore year. These evening meetings are geared to review the results of the PLAN assessment and discuss the impact of those results and to cover the wide variety of options available academically for the junior and senior years.