11TH GRADE
Incoming 11th Graders—Summer:
You’re officially halfway through high school—congratulations! That’s a big milestone, and a great moment to reflect on where you are and where you want to go. This summer is the perfect time to get serious—not just about academics, but about how you manage your time, organize your commitments, and pursue your goals. Whether you’re enrolled in a summer program, doing an internship, volunteering, or working on a personal project, use this time to strengthen your core skills: time management, communication, initiative, and follow-through. These will serve you well in junior year and beyond.
Enjoy your summer, but know that junior year will likely be your most challenging—and most important—academic year. If you haven’t already, check in with a mentor or advisor to finalize your course selections and make sure your schedule is both rigorous and balanced. Plan and prepare for your SAT or ACT exams—taking note that they are offered only in specific months.
Set a few clear goals for the Fall semester. Are there any extracurriculars you’d like to add, drop, or commit to more seriously? Are there skills or interests you’d like to develop further? Use this summer to recharge, reflect, and prepare. The more intention you bring now, the more confident and grounded you’ll feel heading into the school year.
11th Grade—Fall:
Junior year is your time to shine. This is the year colleges will pay the most attention to, so think of it as your opportunity to showcase your academic growth, curiosity, and discipline. Your courses should be appropriately challenging—but with the time management and organizational skills you’ve built, you’re more than ready to handle them. Stay on top of assignments, ask for help when needed, and be proactive about maintaining a balanced workload.
This is also the time to step into leadership roles. If you’re already involved in clubs, organizations, or sports — look for opportunities to get more deeply involved in organization and planning. If something you care about isn’t represented—take a chance and try starting a club yourself.
If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, now’s the time to create a prep plan and register for your examination date. Take regular practice tests and stay on top of deadlines.
Many competitive summer programs have deadlines in late fall or early winter. These are great for honing your interests that you’ve built up over the past few years. Make a list of the ones you’re interested in, whether they are in STEM or the Humanities, and begin preparing applications early. Many will require teacher recommendations, so be sure to reach out with plenty of time. Contact your navigation mentor to help plan out your applications.
Junior year can feel intense, but remember—you’re not doing it alone. Lean on your mentors, teachers, and support systems to help you through.
11th Grade—Spring:
You’re now nearing the end of junior year—a major milestone. By this point, you’ve likely grown more confident in your academics and activities, and hopefully have a clearer sense of your interests and goals. Winter break is a good time to reflect: What’s gone well this year? What would you like to improve on before senior year? Don’t forget! The most important exams of high school are just around the corner—so make sure that you are keeping up with your studies. Beyond just school, you’ll also want to keep up with the following:
Keep track of deadlines for summer programs if you haven’t already—most deadlines will be early in the semester (if not even earlier), so you’ll definitely want to get started over winter break.
Spring is when college preparation starts to creep closer. If you haven’t already, start drafting your college list and think about what environments might be right for you. Consider visiting schools during spring break and plan ahead for how you might make the most of those visits!
Continue (or start) your SAT/ACT prep and start consolidating your experiences and materials to fill your resume.
Around the end of the semester is the earliest that you may want to request recommendation letters for college. Teachers will appreciate the early notice.
As always, check in with your mentor or advisor to help clarify your goals and build a summer and senior-year plan that feels ambitious but balanced. You’re entering into the endgame now!