Plan Now

Need all the information in one easy download?  This is the comprehensive high school handbook. 

Start planning now to graduate from high school and get into the college of your choice. This guide will help you create an action plan. 

Goals give you a sense of direction – an idea of where you’re headed.Hopefully, you’ve talked to a parent, friend, family member or school counselor about your options for high school and beyond. Maybe you’ve even chosen a career or educational pathway. The next question is, “How will you get there from here?” And the answer is to set SMART goals.Setting SMART GoalsSMART goals challenge you to get things done on time. They also help you track your progress and record your achievements. Specific Read more

Find out if you qualify for the Scholars Project. Learn more about the program in this brochure. 

Is your head spinning from three-letter acronyms and new terminology? Check out this handy vocabulary reference guide.  Read more

Military Colleges The government runs these famous military colleges. They have names like West Point and Annapolis. Students, called cadets, don’t pay any tuition or fees and get a monthly allowance. Graduates agree to serve on active duty for at least five years. These are very competitive schools. If you’re interested, meet with your school counselor or GEAR UP staff at the end of your junior year or very early in your senior year. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Read more

Military Careers and Colleges Sometimes students want career training that’s different from the normal college routine. The U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Navy are good examples. They offer more than 4,000 different jobs, training programs and college options to get you ready for a military career.  Read more

Now that you have some idea about the type of degree or education you need to get the career you want, you might like to know which schools and colleges offer those programs.  Read more

Opportunities for SuccessDifferent careers require different types of education and training. You can complete some degrees in a short time; others take longer. Some are specific, focusing on the skills and knowledge you need for a particular job; others are more broad. On the next page you’ll find a chart that explains the type of education required for different jobs. Read more

Be Prepared for Everything Why does a writer need to know complex math? Why does a scientist need to understand Shakespeare? The truth is, core courses like math, science, English, and history teach you how to read, write, think, reason and compute. They also help you understand the world and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills—skills that will help you throughout your life. Make sure you prepare, keep your college and career options open by taking a series of tough core courses throughout high school.