Plan for Success

Planning for college and career should begin as early as possible. Following the college preparatory track in middle school and continuing throughout high school will get you there.

Start Planning

Many students don't start thinking about college until they enter high school, but there are some things middle school students (as early as sixth grade) and parents can do together to begin planning for college. Just follow these checklists, and you’ll be a step ahead of the crowd. 

6th Grade 

  • Write down your career goals. What will you have to do to achieve those goals? 
  • Decide on a quiet place where you will do your homework every night. 
  • Determine to do well in all of your classes. 
  • Attend Saturday School twice a month. 
  • Be familiar with our academic expectations. 
  • Do your best on all tests—class exams as well as standardized tests. 

7th Grade

  • Talk about your college plans and career goals with your parents, teachers, and friends. 
  • Visit the College Center on campus and ask about college requirements. 
  • Determine to earn recognition in at least two school ceremonies (weekly assembly, honor roll, etc.). 
  • Continue to strive toward excellence in your courses, and ask your teachers for help when you need it. 
  • Attend Saturday School twice a month. 
  • Regularly review the student catalog with your parents to be familiar with our academic and behavioral expectations. 
  • Do your best on all tests—class exams as well as standardized tests. 

8th Grade 

  • Tell your parents you want to attend a selective college. 
  • Attend an event on local college campuses with your parents (e.g., USC, Occidental, Cal State LA).
  • Visit college websites for information about their admission requirements. 
  • Study and strive to get “A” grades. Studying hard now will prepare you for the years to come. 
  • Plan to pursue a high school class schedule that follows a college preparatory track. 
  • Decide on a New Designs Career Academy Pathway that you will commit to for all four years of high school. 
  • Develop skills that are valuable in high school and essential in college, such as word processing, online research, note-taking, and time management. 
  • Attend Saturday School twice a month. 
  • Do your best on all tests—class exams as well as standardized tests.