Get Set for

MAKE

High School
COUNT

A Guide for Students

 Your high school
be the most exciting and important ones you will spend in school.
years may

For the first time, you’ll have lots of choices to make about what you study. It’s
important to know that the choices you make for 9th grade—as well as 10th,
11th, and 12th—will affect the choices you’ll have for the rest of your life.

No matter what you dream of doing with your life, preparing yourself for more
education beyond high school is your wisest plan right now. Post-high school
education can provide valuable experiences that contribute to a better
quality of life for you. Whether or not you go on to a college, university,
career or technical school, the information and skills you learn in your high
school classes will always be useful in the world of work.

Remember: Everyone, in every kind of job, needs to be able

to write and speak clearly, listen carefully, understand what is
written and spoken, and use math effectively.

Average yearly income by educational attainment

High School Dropout $19,720

High School Graduate $30,303
Some College $36,693
Associate’s Degree $42,163
Bachelor’s Degree $54,091
Master’s Degree $69,825
Doctoral Degree $89,845
Professional Degree $102,398
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 data

2
Keep your options open
Right now you may not know what you
or exactly how to get ready for it.
want to do with your future,

That’s okay. You have plenty of time to figure out what interests you, what
you’re good at, and how those things add up to a career. The most important
thing to do right now is make sure you keep your options open.

When you have questions

Your school counselor, teachers, or principal will have the answers (or know
someone who does) to many questions about high school and education after
high school. Your family and friends often have good information, too. Do not
hesitate to ask as many questions as necessary to obtain all the information
you need.

Learn how to learn

Now is the time to concentrate on improving your skills as a student. If you
practice the following tips, you may find you enjoy your classes more:
f Sit close to the front of the classroom when possible.
f Join in class discussions.
f Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, chances are others in
the class don’t understand either.
f Keep up with class assignments. Finish them before they’re due.
f Ask for help in any class in which you find yourself falling behind.
Remember, your teachers want to help you succeed!
f Look for ways to sharpen your basic skills in each class. You can
practice your writing skills in history, your algebra skills in science, and
your math and science skills in vocational education classes.
f Learn keyboarding skills so you can type your own schoolwork and use
a computer.
f Learn to take good class notes. You’ll take lots of notes throughout the
rest of your life.
f Learn to proofread, correct, and rewrite your written work.
f Develop test-taking skills. Your counselor and teachers can show you
how to get started.

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 High school courses ACT recommends for all students*
Courses ACT Recommends

English Four years

Mathematics Three years (including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)

Science Three years (including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)

Social Studies Three years

Other Foreign language, visual and performing arts, computer science, etc.

*Specific high school course requirements vary from college to college, and some majors may have additional requirements.
ACT’s recommendations provide a general framework to follow for all colleges, but check with the schools you’re interested in to see what they
require or recommend.

4
Knowthe basics of class scheduling
First, you need to be thoroughly familiar with all the required courses and
graduation requirements of your high school.
f You should take an English or literature class each year of high school.
These classes will strengthen your reading, writing, and speaking skills.
f A series of mathematics courses is very important as you prepare for the
careers of the future. Four years of high school math, including algebra
and geometry, are necessary to many occupations. Math will be even
more important in the future.
f Make sure you take enough social studies courses to get a good
understanding of American history and our government. Many colleges
and universities require three years of study.
f Science is important. Schedule three or more years, including at least
one laboratory course.
f Schedule at least one year of visual and performing arts from the areas
of visual arts, music, dance, and theater.
f Elective courses allow you to explore your special interests. These
courses are considered very important. Seriously consider taking a foreign
language. Some colleges expect two years of foreign language study, and
your understanding of the world can be improved by knowing another
language.
f You might consider combining your last two years of high school with two
years of community college education, by exploring the Tech Prep
Education (2+2) offerings. This can lead to an associate’s degree or two-
year certificate in the mechanical, industrial, or practical arts: agriculture,
health, family and consumer sciences, or business. Remember, though,
that these programs build upon knowledge gained in math, science, and
communications courses.
f Some specific applied academic courses that use hands-on approaches
to learning have been approved as meeting the core curriculum
requirements. For more information, see your counselor.
f You will need to be computer literate.

5
 High school course
This chart can be used to plan
classes and then pencil in the
planning
classes you expect to take in the 10th, 11th,
grades. These choices may change later, depending upon your interests and career plans.

Check with your counselor to make sure your schedule meets your high school’s graduation
chart
your classes for the next four years. First plan your 9th-grade
and 12th

requirements. Be sure to plan for any additional requirements for admission to a four-year public
college or university or a tech prep educational program at a community college.

English—Language Arts (4 years) 9th 10th 11th 12th

Writing, reading, listening, and speaking

Mathematics (3 years) 9th 10th 11th 12th

First-year algebra, geometry, second-year algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus

Science (3 years) 9th 10th 11th 12th

Biology, chemistry, physics

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Social Studies (3 years) 9th 10th 11th 12th

History, sociology, psychology

Foreign Language—Second Language 9th 10th 11th 12th

Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Drama, Dance, Computer Science 9th 10th 11th 12th

Physical Education (state requirements vary) 9th 10th 11th 12th

7
 What you do
outside
after high school, and in the world of work:
of school counts, too
Develop habits now that will help you succeed in high school, in education

f Find a quiet place to study where you won’t be interrupted. Is it just

too noisy at home? Ask your family or a teacher to help you find a place
to study.
f Plan a daily homework schedule and stick to it. Do more than is required.
f Ask your family or friends to read your written work. And ask them for
help if you’re having trouble at school.
f Use your local library. If you don’t have a library card now, ask the
librarian for one. They’re free.
f Read newspapers and magazines. Talk with your family and friends
about what you read.
f Look up words you don’t know in the dictionary. Then use your new
words in writing and talking.

explore
f Talk with your family about career plans and what you want to do
in the future.

Take time to
This is the perfect time to check out lots of career options. The Web is a
great resource for information about specific schools or training programs,
and here are some other ways to learn more if you are considering:
1. Attending a four-year college, university, vocational/technical school,
or two-year college
f Make a list of the schools that interest you.
f Gather information from each school and study it.

8
 f Register to take the ACT® test before December of your senior year;
spring of your junior year is recommended. All U.S. colleges and
universities accept ACT scores.
f Visit the campus of each school you are seriously considering.
f Apply early for admission and housing.
f Apply early for financial assistance. Pay attention to deadlines listed in
the financial aid information you receive from your counselor and the
school(s) you are interested in attending.
f Find out about local, state, federal, and private student financial
assistance programs.
f Make your decision. Take time to review all information carefully and
weigh your options.
2. Serving in the Armed Forces
f Visit with friends, neighbors, and relatives who have served in various
branches of the Armed Forces.
f Study the military literature available in your counseling office.
f Evaluate any physical limitations that might prevent you from serving in
the Armed Forces.
f Compare military training opportunities with possible civilian occupations.
f Arrange with your counselor to visit with various military recruiters
during your junior and senior years of high school.
f Compare benefits, tours of duty, training, and promotion opportunities
of military programs.
3. Looking for direct employment after high school
f Explore your special abilities and interests with your school counselor.
f Collect and study materials about writing resumes and letters of
application.
f Consider whether you want to move away from your home region after
high school.
f Visit with individuals working in various occupations that may be of
interest to you.
f Become familiar with major employers in the areas where you are
interested in working.
f Be knowledgeable about the vocational/technical program offerings
available in your high school.

9
 Financing
more education after high school.
available
There is a lot of financial help if you want to take the big step toward

Many students hesitate to consider additional education because of tuition

costs. If you think you can’t afford more education after high school, you
need to know that many students receive financial help from:
f the state f the school they attend after high school
f the federal government f private financial assistance programs

Different types of financial assistance

f Scholarships—usually based on good high school grades, good test
scores (like the ACT), or exceptional ability (like athletic talent).
f Grants—usually based on financial need.
f Loans—will need to be repaid eventually.
f Work programs—allow students to earn money for educational costs and
living expenses.

Your school counselor and the financial aid office at the schools you’re
considering can give you information about how to apply for financial
assistance.

You can also use free searches on the Internet for scholarships (try
www.fastweb.com) or the local library to search for private funds.

Military programs can provide financial assistance and additional training.

Apprenticeships and on-the-job training are other ways to continue your
education.

Your state may offer a variety of financial assistance programs targeted for
specific groups of students. Ask your counselor for the Web addresses and
phone numbers of aid sources in your state and elsewhere.

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 Take this booklet home
And share this
information with your family.
Share your ideas, too, about high school
and the years ahead. You may want to refer to
some of the information later. It’s a good idea to
check as you proceed to be sure you’re getting the
most out of high school.

Just by reading through this booklet and understanding

the importance of planning classes carefully, you’re
getting set for high school. The planning you’re doing
right now is going to help you make each year count.

For more information about planning for success

in high school and preparing for life after
high school, visit ACT’s website at
www.actstudent.org.

© 2012 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. 18389