Welcome Sophomore Parents & Students! 

“Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly diverse and mobile society, new technologies, and expanding opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders, and citizens, every student needs support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. Adolescents face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that impact academic achievement.” (American School Counseling Association)

As you can see, the first year in high school goes by very fast, and before you know it, you are starting the second year.  While getting acclimated to a larger campus, balancing seven classes and several extracurricular activities was hard to imagine, you managed to complete it and may be giving a friend, neighbor or younger sibling tips on transitioning to high school.  Your sophomore year is a time to focus on personal growth and academic achievement.  Taking advantage of study, organization and planning activities are still a critical part of your weekly routines.  There is still support in place to help with this, and below are some areas to keep in mind:

• SOPHOMORE OPPORTUNITIES & ACADEMIC RESOURCES Program (S.O.A.R.) - Students are encouraged to expand extracurricular activities and explore leadership opportunities. These opportunities are through a variety of avenues such as community service, clubs, athletics, fine arts, employment, and other areas of personal interest. The counselor/student/family relationship continues to grow during sophomore year as we meet with students to provide guidance, support, advocacy and encouragement.

• STATE TESTING & PSAT— As a sophomore, you will have the opportunity to take the STAAR EOC test in English II, and any other of the 4 tests given if you are taking the course as a sophomore.  The five End of Course exams inclue:  English I, English II, Biology, Algebra I, and US History.  The PSAT is also administered to sophore students once every year in October. Sophomores will take this practice test with their peers and will receive a detailed report in late fall/early spring.  This report explains test scores and gives areas of strength as well as areas to work on. We have a partnership with Khan Academy to pair scores with test preparation tools to help strengthen their skills.  Students will also take this test a final time as juniors.

• ACADEMIC PLANNING — Students are assigned to a guidance counselor based on the student’s last name. Students may request to see a counselor on an as needed basis by emailing your assigned counselor or coming by the counselor's suite and completing a request.  We want to be prepared to assist you, so be specific with your request.  Counselors will monitor academic progress and check in as needed.  Group guidance sessions will include a review of study, goal setting, learning, and time management skills.  These presentations will occur during our Instructional Lunch sessions as well as through monthly pacing connections.  Students review four-year plans and update classes for junior year, if needed during the spring semester.

• TUTORIALS – All teachers offer before school, after school and/or Instructional lunch tutorials on a regular basis.  Students are encouraged to see their teachers often, and especially if they have a specific academic concern. Attending tutorials frequently will help students feel more confident in their daily work, and when extra help is needed.  We also have a community tutoral list available for students, should you have the need for additional outside tutoring.

• INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE COUNSELING –   High school sophomores face a variety of developmental issues. Students are deciding who they are, what they do well, and what they will do when they graduate. They are searching for a place to belong and rely on peer acceptance and feedback. They face increased pressures from a variety of areas. They need guidance in making decisions. They just sometimes need to talk.  The school counselor is here to assist the student, and their families, with issues and questions they might have.  If there is a need that is urgent, please let our clerks know when coming in so that your counselor or the first available one can assist you with that immediate need.

• CAREER EXPLORATION— throughout the year, the college and career advisor meets with students in a classroom setting to administer a variety of career and lifestyle development assessments, and help then to get familiar with using Naviance. These tools will provide students with insights about themselves to help them identify their strengths and needs, and build a career plan based on their personal profile:  career-relevant interests, abilities, and job values to help individuals consider career options that are a good match for them.

TAKE A PEEK AT COLLEGE PLANNING RANGERS!
Here is a great link to the Houston Area Recruiting Network(HARN) who usually have an on campus college fair twice per year!  They have created a YouTube channel full of great resources from participating colleges!  Check it out! -->    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgXficmEyXhhw35xr71R5FA/videos

Best tip for sophomore students...STAY INVOLVED!  There's just about 100 clubs available for students to check out!  Maybe you've found your fit, or maybe...just maybe there's more! Stay involved, learn more, share more, and continue to meet new friends.  STAY INVOLVED!  WAY TO GROW RANGERS! 

#OnceARangerAlwaysARanger

 Got Ranger Gear?