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Struggling to get the "Big Picture" about your "Big Future"?
Are the "steps" for college preparation overwhelming? Thankfully, there are a multitude of resources available to assist you in this process. Unlike "the old days" when college catalogs and brochures were the norm, college planning is now a virtual endeavor and is easily accessible to you and your family. The College Board has great resources available to high school students and parents with just a click of the mouse. Take a few minutes to browse around BigFuture's site for helpful articles and checklists regarding the planning process. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Additionally, the Student Services office is here to help you! Contact our office to make an appointment to discuss this process or any other issue with which we can assist you.
Actions Speak Louder than Words
The above cliché is often used as a reminder that unless our actions back up what we say, then both our words and actions will be ineffective. As I have walked the halls and visited classrooms, I can attest that students are experiencing the genuine care and professionalism of their teachers each day! Far greater than “informational vending machines,” the instructors at GCA demonstrate what it means to know and follow Christ on a daily basis.
As I walked through the hallway of the elementary wing, I saw a teacher out in the hall with one of her students. I assumed that the student was in trouble, but I was proved wrong when I saw the two praying together – specifically for the child’s mom to get better. The teacher didn’t have to step into the hall and pray with her student, but she understood that her actions would speak louder than proceeding with her momentary agenda.
Before any “words” can be spoken, GCA teachers spend incalculable hours preparing for the instructional day. Utilizing available technology, cooperative learning structures, and other hands-on activities, they take learning outside the textbook and provide the students with varied, academically rigorous experiences using a creative approach to instruction. Planning for this type of instruction is not accomplished solely within the designated hours of employment — late nights, early mornings, and weekends are when grading and planning is accomplished.
As a school, we continue to refine our approach to the continuity and delivery of instruction. This process is continual, and your prayers and support of our endeavors is greatly appreciated!
It's never too early to think about college!
College often seems like a far-away goal for many high school students and their parents. But it's never too early to start taking steps to position yourself for that all-important senior year and the college selection process. What can an underclassman be doing now in preparation for what God may have planned for him or her in the future?
During 9th and 10th grades:
- Choose class electives carefully. Meet with Student Services to discuss your yearly class schedule and to identify electives that align with your interests. Plan to challenge yourself and develop good study skills. Grades do matter! The grades for credited classes that you earn in 8th or 9th grade will be included on your official high school transcript and will be calculated into your grade point average.
- Participate in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school.
- Complete at least 24 hours of community service each year. Remember that this is a graduation requirement and must be completed each year. The more hours you complete, the better! Community service will allow you to serve others, help you determine your interests, and will be an asset when applying to colleges and scholarship organizations.
- Start a list. Create a list of your awards, honors, paid or volunteer work, extracurricular activities, etc. in preparation for your educational resume.
- Sophomores can plan to take the PSAT. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT) is optional for 10th graders, but it helps students practice for the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT).
- Begin or continue a savings plan for college. With your parents, attend one of the college financial planning seminars offered at various times throughout the year at your school.
- Start looking at college websites or attend a College Fair. Get a feel for different types of schools and what they offer.
- Pray! Pray about your future and ask God for guidance in this very important process.
During 11th grade:
- Review your academic progress with Student Services. A summary of classes taken and an audit of classes still needed is performed for you each year. Plan to take the most challenging academic schedule that you can.
- Order your class ring.
- Take the PSAT on the scheduled day in October. This is mandatory for members of the Junior class because the scores are under consideration for National Merit awards.
- Study! Keep your grades up! Junior year is a critical year for achieving the highest grade point average possible.
- Continue to investigate colleges. Consider the size, location, distance from home, majors offered, housing, cost, etc. as you look.
- Continue to visit college fairs and talk to college representatives that visit your school. Ask questions! Discuss colleges that you are interested in with your parents. Plan to visit colleges of interest during Christmas, Spring break, or in the summer leading up to senior year.
- Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. If you are an athlete intending to play sports at a Division I or Division II college, you can get all the necessary information by visiting the Clearinghouse website at www.ncaa.org. Click on the "Eligibility Center" button on the right.
- Take the ACT or SAT at least once. The test that you choose may be dictated by the colleges that you are interested in attending. Remember that this is a graduation requirement; be sure that your scores are sent to GCA.
- Complete your Community Service hours, and add to your list of activities.
- Begin researching and applying for scholarships. Sign up for scholarship search engines such as www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com to find scholarships that you qualify for. Student Services posts scholarships and deadlines and will also make you aware of specific scholarships that you are a good candidate for.
- Prepare your educational resume. List all of your activities, awards, work, and volunteer activities. This may be done in English 11 as a part of your writing assignments, but start preparing now and show your accomplishments to prospective schools and/or coaches.
- Attend the College Planning and Selection Seminar. It's offered in the spring of the school year, and it's geared for juniors and their parents.
- Continue to pray about the process! Pray for God's guidance, and trust Him throughout this process.
Plagiarism
Do you know what plagiarism is? Does your student?
To plagiarize is “to present the ideas or words of another as one’s own” (Merriam-Webster’s, 1997). Many articles and commentaries have been written over the past number of years underscoring the growing occurrences of plagiarism in academic settings and in the public arena. “Academic integrity is a fundamental value of teaching, learning, and scholarship. Yet, there is growing evidence that students cheat and plagiarize” (Clemson, 2010). Entire organizations and websites exist in an effort to counteract the trend toward unauthorized use of intellectual property.
How to Be a Senior
"How to Be a Senior"
So many exciting things come with being a senior! You've worked hard and have finally reached the culmination of your high school career! However, being a senior comes with many responsibilities as well. This list is intended to guide you and your parents through these uncharted waters.
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