For Hawk Families

List of 3 items.

• Middle School (7-8, MYP)

  1. Students are encouraged to use this time to build skills in time management, flexibility, communication, and inquiry while maintaining a healthy school/life balance.
  2. This is also a time for students to increase their academic performance before Upper School begins and colleges start seeing their grades.
  3. Exploration should be happening often. Students are encouraged to try new things, dream big, and learn to accept failure as a natural part of the learning process.
  4. Middle School families should expect a formal presentation from the director of college counseling in the fall of each academic year.

• Upper School (9-10 MYP)

  1. Students begin to build their transcripts and resumes in preparation for college applications.
  2. Sophomores turn their focus to the IB Personal Project, an opportunity for them to further develop their time management, research, communication, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking skills.
  3. Before initiating their college search, students identify their skills and interests. The being contemplating important questions: What ignites their curiosity? How might they contribute to making the world a better place? Where do they excel and why?

• Upper School (11-12 DP)

  1. Beginning in their junior year, the director of college counseling meets one-on-one with students to build a list of prospective colleges, consider possible majors/minors, review the SAT/ACT testing schedules, and help to develop the student’s personal statement.
  2. The director of college counseling also guides students through application and scholarship requirements and deadlines.
     • During the spring semester of their junior year, students request letters of recommendation from teachers and relevant sources.
     • During the summer before their senior year, students continue to grow and refine their list of colleges while completing applications and scholarship essays. This is also a good opportunity for students to participate in summer programs, internships, and pre-college seminars.
     • During August of their senior year, students should:
       • Have narrowed their college search to 10-15 schools
       • Edited and finalized essays for applications and scholarships. Applying early for merit and need-based scholarships is highly encouraged.
  3. With targeted schools identified, the director of college counseling will meet with seniors and their families to discuss expectations, goals, limits, and affordability of the student’s college options.
  4. College applications are finalized and sent during the fall semester.