Start thinking about your future!

1. ARE YOU COLLEGE
AND CAREER
READY?
C H A R A C T E R E D
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5

2. DRSL’S
• What: Start preparing to become college and career ready.
• Why: Lifelong Learning, Problem Solving, Responsible Citizens.

3. DID YOU KNOW?
• Research suggests that the transition between 8th & 9th grade plays a
critical role in shaping students’ long-term outcomes. It demonstrates
that students’ attendance and course performance in 9th grade were
highly predictive of high school dropouts.
• Check yourself!
– How is your attendance at school?
– How are your study habits?
– Do you consistently complete assignments?
– Are academics a priority for you?
– Do you understand that your performance in high school is related to what
you will do after high school?

4. IMPORTANCE OF WORKING HARD TO
PASS YOUR CLASSES…
• Students who end their ninth grade year on-track are almost four times
more likely to graduate from high school than those who are off-track. In
fact, a student’s on-track status is more predictive of high school
graduation than their race/ethnicity, level of poverty, or test scores.
• On-track means you have passed your core classes and are leaving 9th
grade with at least 6 credits toward graduation.
• Study retrieved from University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago
School Research

5. FOR EVERY 100 STUDENTS IN 9TH
GRADE…
• 67 will graduate on time
• 38 will go to college
• 18 will earn an Associates in 3 years or less or a Bachelors in 6 years or
less
• Snowcrest has just over 100 students in 9th grade… think about these
statistics!

6. WHAT DOES GOING TO COLLEGE MEAN
FOR YOU?
• Americans with a bachelors degree are HALF as likely to be
unemployed
• Americans with a bachelors degree with earn 66% or more in lifetime
earnings
• People who earn a certificate or degree have higher job satisfaction
than those with only a high school diploma
• People who earn a certificate or degree have more opportunities for
advancement in the workplace
• People who earn a certificate or degree are more likely to have better
benefits, such as insurance and paid leave

7. BARRIERS… WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM
CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION?
• Cost of paying for college
• Attitude – The belief that you are not smart enough, won’t succeed, or
don’t have the motivation
• Lack of support
• Being unprepared – not taking courses to prepare in high school, not
planning ahead for next steps
• Not knowing what options are available
• Cultural expectations
• Etc….

8. FIRST THINGS FIRST…
• Start small. Taking small steps is important in accomplishing tasks and
reaching goals.
• Remember, you don’t have to have your whole future planned out…
However, its never too early to begin thinking about what you want your
future to look like. Start thinking about what your strengths, interests,
and abilities are. Start thinking about what types of careers you would
be interested in. Start thinking about how you will continue your
education beyond high school. You can build on this year to year.
• Take classes that interest you… and try taking a class that you normally
would not sign up for! You might learn a new skill and find out you are
passionate about something you never knew about.

9. STRUGGLING TO PASS CLASSES?
• We have a lot of resources and help at Snowcrest!
• Get help from your individual teachers. Teachers are available 30 minutes
before and after school starts EVERY DAY! If you have a question, need
clarification, missed a day of class, need extra help… go see your teacher!
• Advisory… no explanation needed (take the initiative to get a slip!)
• Working Lunch. Anyone can request to work during lunchtime. You have
access to computers, your grades and missing assignments, and a quiet place
to work!
• Math tutoring with Mr. Denny, Mr. Wooten, or 9th grade Honors math students.
• Ms. Perrin can help you organize, come up with ideas on a homework
schedule, tracking sheets, how to get help, etc. Just ask!

10. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK…
• We will be exploring post-secondary options available to all students!
• 1, 2, 4 year programs! Yes… that’s right! There are certificates you can
earn in 1 or 2 years beyond high school.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND…
Don’t write off getting more
education!