To-Do list rising juniors- Class of 2025
Course Requests for 2023/2024
Review and/or complete course requests- course request instructions and resources includes worksheet, course selection sheets, instructions to enter courses into StudentVue, electives video, classroom presentations and Program of Studies. Your School Counselor will be inviting you to individual student conferences in March. Click here for additional course details. Learn more about our Social Sciences courses. Watch videos on electives.
Open up StudentVue and select the tab ‘Course Requests’. Email your Counselor if unable to access courses.
Make sure you have 8 blocks including both semesters of study hall
Sequential electives for both the Standard and Advanced Studies Diploma (click here for details)
Research the Academies of Loudoun for your senior year
Consider Personal Finance/Economics in your junior year
SCA and PEER- If interested, ask your School Counselor how to apply
Diploma type (Standard/Advanced Studies)- confirm the graduation requirements for your preferred diploma type
Do the courses reflect your strengths, goals, and interests? Do your plans meet college entrance requirements or prepare you for an intended major or career?
Consider balance- rigor of classes, sports, clubs, work, social life
Review graduation status in StudentVue-while in the 'Course Requests' tab, scroll down to Graduation Status Summary
If interested in Virtual Loudoun over the summer, still sign up for 7 courses and we will adjust your requests after you register. Summer registration opens April 17th
What to consider -Advice on selecting high school courses
Other graduation considerations-click on the ‘Test History’ tab in StudentVue and scroll down to see status
First Aid, CPR, AED- completions of your certification
CTE certification- required for Standard Diploma
End of Year tests- SOLs; the School Counselors and Testing Coordinator will update students as per VDOE
Forms and documents- based on your course selections
Learn about the differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses
NOVA Dual Enrollment:
You will need to register for a NOVA EMPLID first, then complete and submit the Intent to Enroll Form
Carefully follow the directions for submitting the' Dual Enrollment Intent to Enroll' online form (deadline will be announced soon)
School Counselors will provide additional information as well as verify eligibility and approve the form
Independent Science Research, Geospatial Science and Teacher Cadet are Dual Enrollment but through GMU, JMU and Shenandoah (not NOVA). Your classroom teachers will help you to register at the beginning of the school year
Independent Science Research Transcript Release Form- once you sign up for the class, you will receive an email from the Science Office with further information
Teacher Cadet- click here for more information
Waiver of Full Day Attendance Form- ‘Early Release’ request from your School Counselor
Principal approval for juniors- must be extenuating circumstances
Must be enrolled in at least 5 credit bearing courses to be eligible for VHSL
Additional information and activities
Read your school emails weekly for important information and announcements
Learn more about the tremendous features and tools in Naviance Student
Research: colleges, majors, careers and personal assessments to help you with your post-secondary planning
Open up Naviance Student in your LCPSGO then click on Colleges at the top of your page and SuperMatch College Search under Find Your Fit
Complete the Academic and Career Plan survey
Explore the resources on the School Counseling website
College & Career – lots of excellent resources including scholarships
BigFuture by College Board
Insider's Guide to College Admissions- overview of the application process from a Dean of Admissions
Determine if the SAT or ACT are required, schedule the exam/s for spring
PSAT/SAT/ACT testing schedule, need for Subject Tests/essay, AP exams- what do colleges require
Juniors take the PSAT in October and receive Score Report in December. Plan to take the SAT/ACT in the spring
Plan Ahead for the PSAT/SAT or ACT- download handout
You can visit the ACT or College Board websites for updates and free resources, the School Counseling department will share information as it becomes available
Some colleges and universities are 'test optional' - FairTest is a good resource
Research polices for ACT and SAT admissions requirements- especially important with the COVID-19 restrictions and individual college/university policies
Review the resources on the SBHS Counseling website
Student Athletes (DI & DII)- register NCAA Eligibility Center (Profile Page or Certification Account) by end of junior year and upload final transcript when available. Create an account this year to access resources throughout your senior year
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete- changes regarding the SAT/ACT requirement
Tips to prepare for athletic recruiting process
Benefits of playing at a Junior College
VHSL eligibility for high school sports
If applying to a University of California System school- be aware of the A-G course entrance requirements, pay close attention to the Fine Arts requirement
Considering studying in the UK?- Know the academic and testing requirements so that you can plan early
Take any AP® Exams. Show what you’ve learned in your AP classes. A successful score could even earn you credit, advanced placement, or both in college
Reference the information posted on the College Board website to learn about the revised testing dates and preparation options
Explore additional resources on our School Counseling website
Reference the College Board website to see your college or university's transfer credit policies
Contact your School Counselor if you have any questions regarding the AP exams
View the weekly College & Career email from Mrs. Jones
Suggested activities for spring and summer:
Earn strong grades this year to have a solid cumulative GPA- see your teachers for help if necessary
Research a variety of colleges/universities and careers and career schools using Naviance Student-it's never too early
Be aware of college deadlines, especially for Performing Arts programs. They usually have early audition dates so you need to plan strategically
Open up Naviance Student in your LCPSGO then click on Colleges at the top of your page and SuperMatch College Search under Find Your Fit
Plan to attend College Fairs over this spring, summer or next fall
Consider campus visits over the summer or take virtual tours of interested colleges/schools
Researching colleges at a deeper level
Explore internships/volunteer/enrichment program opportunities, in your potential major or career. Many colleges offer on-campus summer programs.
Plan extracurricular activities- in school or community
Consider a part-time job
Suggested summer activities to boost your college application
Consider leadership roles in one of our school based clubs next year, maybe try out a sport to challenge yourself
Begin working on your resume, it will be very helpful when you decide to apply to colleges or seek employment after graduation.
Plan early, discuss financial aid with parents/guardians-learn about the FAFSA, verify if your universities of interest require the CSS Profile
Learn about the application process for the Military Service Academies
Research possible college majors
Learn about Roadtrip Nation- help with possible careers and educational paths. Built into Naviance Student (click on Careers then Explore Roadtrip Nation videos)
Communication with School Counselors
It is important to stay in touch throughout the remainder of the school year:
Send an email to your assigned School Counselor
Fill out an Appointment Request form available in the Counseling Office
Naviance Student- emails will be sent for general announcements, so please read messages from ‘mailer@email.naviance.com’. It is important to check your ‘junk folder’ and mark these emails as ‘Not Junk’.