For most high school students, college will be the first chapter of adulthood. Therefore, we strive to ensure all students have the skills and readiness to attend college following their time at MAP St. Louis.
In preparation of that, we know that students need foundational knowledge prior to the college admissions process. We prepare students by offering college tours beginning in the 7th grade year, rotating among local colleges and universities each year that they are in the program. This affords students the opportunity to think toward their futures, learn to discriminate between the many colleges and universities available, and to have a refined sense of confidence when they do enter the college application process.
Similarly, though we consider testing to be just one of many forms of assessment, we engage in annual standardized testing through the ACT Aspire beginning in the 7th grade to allow students to take part in the process and to refine their test-taking skills. Beginning in 9th grade, students also have the opportunity to prepare and practice for the SAT.
Students will be introduced to our college counselor beginning in 7th grade so that they can start to gain familiarity with the necessary individuals and the process by watching older peers engage. Post-secondary goals are a part of each annual goal-setting meeting, but they become more pronounced beginning in 10th grade. At this point, our college counselor will begin regularly meeting with students and families to align on post-secondary goals and to prepare the students and their families for support with standardized test preparation and registration, initiating the college search and admissions process, and seeking financial aid.
