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What Students Can Do

Elementary School

  • Attend school regularly
  • Complete your homework
  • Follow school rules
  • Get involved at school in things that interest you
  • Play sports
  • Participate in arts
  • Help out at school events

Middle School

  • Have good attendance
  • Get good grades in school
  • Work hard to get your homework done on time
  • Begin thinking about what interests you
  • Start learning about NUSD programs and pathways
  • Develop good study habits
  • Stay organized
  • Get involved
  • Participate in extracurricular activities
  • Explore college and career interests and set goals for your future

High School

  • Earn good grades (high school grades matter starting in 9th grade)
  • Have good attendance 
  • Participate in opportunities that interest you: clubs, sports, activities, or academics
  • Enroll in rigorous programs like AP/IB and CTE Pathways
  • Be prepared and do your best when given the opportunity to take the PSAT or SAT because doing well can open the door to go to college or scholarships
  • Meet with your counselor to create, review, and update your multi-year academic plan
  • Review your “On Track to College Letter” twice a year to see how you are progressing in school, or use your academic planner in Infinite Campus

As you get into 11th grade, start preparing to apply to college.

  • Explore possible colleges you might like to attend
  • Look for opportunities to volunteer in the school or your community
  • Talk with your counselor about how to apply to college
  • Attend college fairs
  • Go on college tours and visit colleges with your family
  • Study for the SAT that you’ll take in the Spring

As a senior, work on your college application and consider studying for the SAT to earn an even higher score. 

  • Work with your counselor to apply to a variety of schools, some that you think you can definitely get into and some that are stretch or dream schools
  • Scholarship Writing 101
  • Submit your college applications by each deadline and make sure you submit a complete and accurate application
  • Consider applying to a few more CSU’s or UC’s then you first planned to give you a few more options in the Spring 
  • Complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • If you plan to play a sport in college register at the NCAA Eligibility Center

Timeline for College and Career Readiness