Jr./Sr. Parent Night

Parent Night

For those who were not able to attend, we are making the presentation available to you and there are links embedded that you can click to get more information.

Jr/Sr Parent Night

Checklist for Junior Year

There are many things you can start doing in Junior year that will make your transition after high school easier. Here are just a few.

1. Start studying for the ACT or SAT

2. Take the PSAT

3. Build good relationships with your teachers (your 11th grade teachers are most likely going to write your letters of recommendation)

4. Become an officer in a club you participate in

5. Start/update a resume of your activities, volunteer and athletic, and awards. You will need this for college applications and to give your teachers who are writing recommendations.

6. List out colleges you would like to attend

7. Research the acceptance requirements for these colleges

8. Start researching college applications

9. Search for scholarships and competitions for juniors

10. Study hard and get good grades

11. Find a long-term volunteer opportunity

12. Volunteer in your community

13. Attend college fairs

14. Visit colleges you are interested in (you get 2 college visit excuses per Junior and Senior year)

Testing Dates

Students in grades 10-12 will participate in testing on October 15.

10th grade students will participate in the PreACT testing.

11th grade students will participate in the Mock ACT testing.

12th grade students will participate in the ACT Workkeys.

Students should report to testing rooms by 8:15 am.

The PSAT is the qualifying exam for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is scheduled for October 28 at 8:30.

The ASVAB is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a voluntary test that can help determine jobs you qualify for with the military. There is also a very helpful career exploration portion of the test that can be used to help you plan for your future career. The ASVAB is scheduled for December 9, 2026. Please let me know if you plan to take the ASVAB by November 1.

In the spring you will take the ACT. This test is used by most colleges for admissions and to award scholarships. This test is free and is required by the Department of Education.

ACT Prep

Crimson Compass - University of Alabama ACT Prep

Tide to Success is for current high school students in grades 9-12. This self-paced, six-hour online course is designed to help students prepare for the ACT, gain the strategies and content necessary to navigate the test, and explore college planning fundamentals.

Tide to Success is FREE for in-state students.

Learn more about program requirements, registration deadlines, and session dates at crimsoncompass.ua.edu

ACT Test Dates

Dual Enrollment Opportunities

There are several opportunities for students to earn college credit while in high school. Athens High currently partners with Troy University, University of Alabama Early College, Auburn First, and Calhoun Community College to help provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school at a reasonable cost.

Check out some of the opportunities:

pdf

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Calhoun Dual Enrollment.pdf

Know the Requirements

Juniors need to be aware of graduation requirements and take some ownership in making sure they have them. If you do not have these requirements or a plan on how to get them, please come see Mrs. Meals and lets make a plan.

In addition to completing the required curriculum found at https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/INSTRUCSER_GradRegs_20250214_AHSG-Requirements-2028-and-Beyond-Option-A_V1.0.pdf, the Alabama State Department of Education graduation requirements include:

All students must successfully pass the Alabama Civics Exam as a required component of the Government course in the high school course of study.
After October 1st of the senior year, students must complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Non-Participation Waiver.
Each senior must meet College and Career Readiness (CCR) as set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. Students must earn one or more of the College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCRI) below.

ACT BENCHMARK SCORE Benchmark or higher on any section of the ACT College Entrance Exam: English - 18 Reading - 22 Math - 22 Science - 23
BENCHMARK ON ACT WORKKEYS Earning a Silver (4 or higher) score on all areas of the ACT WorkKeys assessment, including Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
QUALIFYING SCORE ON AP EXAM OR IB EXAM Earning a qualifying score of three or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or four or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam.
COLLEGE OR POSTSECONDARY CREDIT Earning a college credit while in high school with a minimum grade of “D”.
CTE CREDENTIAL Earn an approved industry-recognized credential through a declared Career and Technical Education Program.
MILITARY ENLISTMENT Enlistment in any branch of the Military before high school graduation. An official letter of acceptance from a Military Recruiter is required.
CTE COMPLETER Attain Career and Technical Education Completer Status by successfully completing three courses in the same CTE pathway, earning a 70 or higher in all three courses.
APPRENTICESHIP Participate in an approved In-School Youth Apprenticeship Program as defined by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.
COMPUTER SCIENCE Complete an ALSDE-Approved Computer Science course.
Any additional College and Career Readiness Indicator approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.

4. Beginning with the Class of 2028, students must successfully complete a Personal Financial Literacy Assessment as a required component of the Career Preparedness course in the high school course of study.

Your Counselor

If you have any questions at any time or just need to stop in and talk, please do. My office is located in the guidance office on the 1st floor.

Julie Meals

julie.meals@acs-k12.org

256-233-6613 ext. 8014

Junior Newsletter

October 1, 2026

Jr./Sr. Parent Night

Parent Night

Checklist for Junior Year

Testing Dates

ACT Prep

Crimson Compass - University of Alabama ACT Prep

ACT Test Dates

Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Know the Requirements

Your Counselor

Jr./Sr. Parent Night Jr./Sr. Parent Night

Parent Night

Checklist for Junior Year Checklist for Junior Year

Testing Dates Testing Dates

ACT Prep ACT Prep

Crimson Compass - University of Alabama ACT Prep

ACT Test Dates ACT Test Dates

Dual Enrollment Opportunities Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Know the Requirements Know the Requirements

Your Counselor

Jr./Sr. Parent Night

Checklist for Junior Year

Testing Dates

ACT Prep

ACT Test Dates

Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Know the Requirements