Four Year Planning with Freshmen

I am so excited that I have recently been able to start the 4-year academic planning process with my freshmen.  Since this is my first year at this high school, it has given me a chance to meet and get to know those students whom I haven't had a chance to talk with yet.  This also gives me a chance to check in with them, talk to them about their grades, ask them if they need anything and how their year is going.  I hope that I can make a quick connection so they will feel comfortable coming to me if they need anything.

Steps to my process:

1.  I have the last part of the alphabet so I printed off a list of all their names, went through their schedules and wrote beside their name the best time to call them to my office. (usually during their study hall).

2.  Gathered the materials for academic planning which include:

• Course offerings for 10th, 11th and 12th grades
• Criteria for Graduating with Honors
• Graduation Requirements
• Sample College Preparatory Curriculum
• Sample Recommended Career Center Curriculum and requirements
• Developing a Four-Year Plan sheet that I created with the graduation requirements on the back

3.  During the meeting, I introduce myself and explain to them why I've called them in.  Most of the students have a scared look on their faces and ask, "Am I in trouble" at which time I smile and tell them I am not the Principal.

4.  I show them the Developing a Four-Year Plan sheet and explain the process and why it's important to plan early.  For example, if they plan on graduating with an Honors Diploma, then we have to make sure they meet the requirements, or if they plan on attending the Career Center, we have to make sure they have certain courses completed by the end of their sophomore year. 

5.  Throughout the process, depending on what they think they want to do in their future, we go online and research a certain career or college and look at the requirements.  At that point they can see why they may need to take 3 or 4 years of a foreign language, or that taking a Dual Enrollment or Advanced Placement course will be beneficial to them.  I love the excitement I start to see on some of their faces at this point and the questions they ask for clarification.

6.  As we write down the courses on the front of the sheet, I have them look at the course offerings sheet to choose classes for each of the grades.  If they have questions about a class, we look at the course description to get a better idea of what the class is about.  This is also a perfect time to explain to them what Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses are and why they may be beneficial to them.

7.  Once the sheet is completed, I tell them that this is not written in stone and we will meet again to make adjustments as necessary.  I give them a copy of the completed sheet and suggest to them that they take the paper home to share with their parents.  I also tell them that I will keep a copy in case they lose their copy. 

8.  I thank them for coming in and the best part...they thank me!

When I first started this process it seemed a little overwhelming to meet with each of the freshmen, but it's been very exciting for the students and fun for me!  I even had a parent thank me and tell me that it motivated her daughter to think more about college.

What is your process for the 4-year plan for your freshmen?