Heartland High School Counseling

October 2026

Happy Fall!

Hello Heartland High School Students,

Now that the Heartland add/drop deadline has passed and we are mid-Semester, we hope your curriculum decisions feel like a great fit. We are wishing Class of 2027 a fantastic college application season. Winter Break is just around the corner! Progress Reports will be issued on October 16, 2026. Reminder: If you are receiving a D and are seeking to satisfy A-G requirements, please make sure to create a plan with your HST to catch up. If you need additional support, we encourage you to reach out to your HS Counselor to help strategize for success.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your Fall Semester!

Mark Your Calendars

2026-2027 Instructional and Learning Period Calendar

First Day of School (Fall Semester): August 12, 2026, *last day to submit Fall Concurrent Enrollment requests
UC/CSU Application: October 1, 2026
Common Application: Ongoing
FAFSA/CADAA Applications Open: October 1, 2026
Cash for College Workshops (Class of 2027): Ongoing
Allan Hancock Career Exploration Day.: October 2, 2026 @ 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Class of 2027 Heartland College Planning Presentation: October 6, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m.
Virtual BC Career Exploration Workshop: October 8, 2026 @ 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Christian College Fair: October 12, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. (Bakersfield Christian High School Sports Center)
Heartland College Application Workshop: October 13, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.
October NACAC Virtual College Fair: October 18, 2026 @ 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Cuesta Promise Day: October 22, 2026
BC Class of 2027 Parent/Senior Info Night: October 22, 2026 @ 2:00-3:00
Allan Hancock College Transfer Fair: October 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
2026 Santa Barbara College Night.: October 28, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Heartland Class of 2027 Financial Aid Presentation: November 4, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.
Heartland Fall Formal: Moonlight Masquerade: November 6, 2026 @ 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
November NACAC Virtual College Fair.: November 8, 2026 @ 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Concurrent Enrollment Request Deadline for Spring Semester courses: December 15, 2026
Last Day of Fall Semester: December 17, 2026
First Day of Spring Semester: January 11, 2027
BC Class of 2027 Application/Update: February 18, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Spring Add/Drop Deadline: February 19, 2027
BC New Renegade Workshop: March 11, 2026 @ 1:30 p.m.
AHC Promise Rally: May 1, 2026
Last Day of School (Spring Semester): June 3, 2027 *last day to submit Summer and Fall Concurrent Enrollment requests.

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9th Grade

Welcome to High School!

High school can feel like a lot to keep up with, but you don’t have to remember everything on your own! This 9th Grade Checklist was created to help you stay organized, keep track of important tasks, and make sure you’re making progress toward your goals.

Use the checklist throughout the school year to:

Keep track of important tasks and opportunities.
Check off items as you complete them.
See what you’ve already accomplished and what still needs your attention.
Stay prepared for the next step in your high school journey.

9th Grade Tasks

10th Grade

Welcome to 10th Grade!

Now that you have a year completed in high school, it is a great time to keep up with tasks and opportunities to make the most of the high school experience and prepare for the future! This 10th Grade Checklist was created to help you stay organized, keep track of important tasks, and make sure you’re making progress toward your goals.

Use the checklist throughout the school year to:

Keep track of important tasks and opportunities.
Identify ways to get involved and explore your future (academically and personally).
See what you’ve already accomplished and what still needs your attention.
Stay prepared for the next step in your high school journey, 11th grade, which is an important one!

10th Grade Tasks

11th Grade

Welcome to 11th Grade!

Junior year is an important time to start turning your plans for life after high school into action. Use this 11th Grade Checklist to help you stay on track academically, explore your options, and prepare for the application process ahead.

As you work through the checklist, check the box after completing each task that applies to you and your future goals. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet. The goal is to explore your options, stay organized, and take meaningful steps toward your future.

By the end of junior year, you should:

Have a better understanding of your academic progress
Identify possible pathways after high school
Know important deadlines
Know what you need to accomplish before and during senior year.

Remember: Your path after high school may look different from someone else’s. Focus on the options and opportunities that are right for you.

11th Grade Tasks

12th Grade

12th Grade: Finish Strong & Prepare for What’s Next

Senior year is a time to finish strong, make important decisions, and prepare for life after high school. Use this 12th Grade Checklist to make sure you are on track for graduation and ready for your next step—whether that means college, career, training, military service, or another pathway.

As you work through the checklist:

Pay attention to deadlines
Complete important applications and financial-aid steps
Make a plan for the transition after graduation.

Your senior year is about more than graduating—it’s about building the skills and confidence you need to take your next step. Stay organized, ask for help when you need it, and remember that there is no single “right” path after high school. What matters is having a plan that works for you and your goals.

12th Grade Tasks

Fall College Preview Days

Cal Poly Ag Preview: October 9, 2026

Biola Preview: October 25, 2026

The Masters (Overnight Preview): October 22-23, 2026

UC Berkeley Fall Showcase: October 24, 2026

Vanguard Preview: October 30, 2026

Westmont College Day: November 11, 2026

CSU Fall Previews: Ongoing

UC Riverside Virtual Fall Preview: November 16-20, 2026

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment

Currently enrolled students: Watch college Withdraw deadlines in case the course or professor doesn’t meet expectations, & if you find yourself struggling reach out to the professor to get passing grades before it’s too late.
Make sure to plan ahead for Spring courses! You may request a meeting with your counselor to discuss course selection.
Spring Semester college course offerings will post in November. Before requesting a course for approval, please review the college schedule and find the best section (day, time, professor, online, in-person). Note: the course must align with Heartland’s 16-week Spring Semester (no early end or late start courses allowed).
View our Heartland Community College Guide

Interested in connecting with other Heartland students?

Check out the ASB October Newsletter!

HS Counselor Canvas

All HS Students have received an invitation to participate in the Cavas course: High School Counselor Canvas on August 12th and the invitation was resent on October 1st. Please accept this invitation. This is the HS Counseling information hub, replacing the HS Grade-Level Google Classrooms. High School Counselor Canvas will be a great place to explore HS Counseling Resources and to stay connected with the Counselors!