The charge for our ninth graders is to learn Penn Charter’s Upper School resources, their teachers and their advisor well. In this particular year, emphasis is on the students getting to know themselves, making new friends, joining a wide range of activities and optimizing PC’s student support services. In the beginning of second semester, the college counselors host a grade meeting providing an introduction to the team and the programming. We discuss the importance of intellectual engagement, involvement in the community and self-advocacy skills. Most importantly, students learn that this year is about the growth in their own curiosities. For parents and caregivers, the college counselors host “coffees and conversation” in the winter to introduce our comprehensive college counseling program. 

Building upon their ninth grade year, our sophomores continue their intellectual journey within the schoolhouse and with the addition of a practice SAT and a practice ACT exam. Scheduled on a weekend morning in the winter, these computer-based exams introduce students to the content of the college admission standardized tests. The comprehensive results provide a roadmap for the student to confidently focus on one particular exam that is a best fit for them.

In the spring, each student and family is assigned a college counselor whom they can call upon as a resource. Tenth grade parents and caregivers are urged to attend the College Keynote given annually by a nationally recognized dean of admission. 

With an emphasis on self-reflection and discovery, 11th graders learn the research tools, resources, application steps and the effort required to complete a successful college search. Individual meetings with the family’s college counselor beginning late fall, followed by second semester Junior Seminar, the signature Case Studies for families in the winter, and the spring course planning conversations are the foundation of our personalized college counseling process. This year, standardized testing plays a more formal role. The college counseling team administers the PSAT/NMSQT on a school day in October. Our students plan for at least one official standardized test in the winter or spring of this year. We meet with families between February and April and begin the list building process. In the spring and summer, families visit colleges to take tours and attend information sessions and open houses.  

By the beginning of 12th grade, our students have a solid understanding of the colleges to which they will apply and feel empowered to proceed with the application process. During the senior year, working side-by-side with a college counselor and taking part in Senior Seminar, students continue individualized college counseling and group learning. The college counselors guide the student toward their best self-representation by supporting the writing and editing that takes place in the college application process. Students build on their knowledge of financial aid, learn the meaning of due dates and time management, and understand the application to enrollment steps. They do all of this while supporting their classmates and peers and taking care of themselves. The college counselors host a 12th grade parent and caregiver “Nuts and Bolts” program in September and receive regular updates from the college counselors about their students’ process throughout the fall. Financial aid programming is also built into the fall schedule.