High School College and Career Preparation

Preparing Your High School Student for College and Career Success

Preparing your child for college education, career options, and taking the ACT began as soon as they started elementary school. The information here outlines a variety of academic skills and planning activities that will support students as they complete high school and pursue their college and career aspirations. 

What's On This Page?

  • Highlights of skills high school students should possess when they transition to postsecondary education like college and university or training, the workforce, or military service.
  • Tips for preparing students to make college and career choices.
  • How to support students taking standardized tests such as End of Course (EOC) exams and the ACT.
  • Links to information about tests and assessments students will take in high school.

Skills Your Child Will Learn by Subject Area

For detailed curriculum information, please visit the Curriculum and Instruction webpage.

The academic skills listed are taught across multiple subject areas and are not restricted to a single course.

English

  • Use proper English grammar to improve their writing and presentations, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
  • Effectively use language in different situations to enhance meaning or style, aiding comprehension of texts during reading, writing, or speaking activities.
  • Recognize and utilize a variety of academic and subject-specific words and phrases.
  • Enhance writing skills by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or attempting new approaches.
  • Write topical essays for specific purposes and audiences, including crafting engaging introductions, using relevant examples and details, and creating strong conclusions.
  • Revise and edit work based on feedback from peers and teachers.

Reading 

  • Engage with important texts from history and literature.
  • Read attentively and support ideas with evidence.
  • Identify main ideas and summarize key points.
  • Understand word meanings, including figurative language.
  • Analyze how story elements affect meaning, style, and mood.
  • Evaluate an author's use of evidence and track their ideas.
  • Use information from various sources and assess reliability.
  • Construct and justify arguments using multiple sources.

Math 

  • Work with numbers in various ways, including prime factorization, rational exponents, complex numbers, and matrices.
  • Use trigonometry to solve problems related to right triangles and distance between points.
  • Understand geometric shapes such as parabolas, circles, and three-dimensional objects.
  • Analyze data and graphs to draw conclusions.
  • Solve complex geometry problems and interpret graphs showing changes.
  • Understand and create different types of functions, such as exponential relationships and trigonometric functions.
  • Solve equations and inequalities involving algebraic expressions.
  • Interpret graphs and charts and apply statistical techniques to analyze data.
  • Learn about probability and its real-world applications.
  • Use statistical modeling to identify patterns in data.

Science 

  • Understand how ecosystems function and human impact on them.
  • Study protein functions and structures through experiments.
  • Compare various types of cells and their components.
  • Conduct experiments to explore gas behavior.
  • Investigate the effects of solute concentration on boiling and freezing points.
  • Explore the evolution of atomic models throughout history.
  • Experiment with Ohm’s Law to understand electricity.
  • Learn about the relationship between air resistance and velocity.
  • Explore different models of electromagnetic radiation.

Preparing for the Future 

  • Support community service participation.
  • Emphasize leadership and teamwork.
  • Encourage healthy relationships with peers and adults.
  • Set goals and create a post-high school plan.
  • Discuss the benefits of education and training for career success.
  • Explore summer activities related to student interests.
  • Develop professional skills such as communication, responsibility, and punctuality.
  • Attend the MNPS College and Career Fairs.
  • Take challenging classes and prepare for the ACT.
  • Consider taking Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and AP/IB/Cambridge classes.
  • Discuss college finances and payment options.
  • Prepare for the transition to college or work.
  • Use College for TN to explore opportunities.

Preparing for Standardized Tests

Talking to your child about tests such as End of Course (EOC) exams and the ACT 


  • Foster a positive self-image as a unique and valuable person.
  • Identify and express personal values and beliefs.
  • Advocate for oneself using assertiveness skills.
  • Take responsibility for choices and their consequences.
  • Persist through challenges to reach goals.
  • Set high expectations for achievement.
  • Aspire to pursue additional training and education after high school.
  • Use test-taking, time management, organization, and study skills to boost academic success.
  • Set and track progress toward long- and short-term goals.
  • Stay engaged and persist in challenging coursework.

District and State Assessments Schedule and Overview

Students will take a number of assessments during their years in school. Listed below are the primary assessments administered by Metro Schools during high school. Specific dates and additional information can be found on the District Testing and Assessments webpage.

Please contact the school to access and discuss individual student results.

ACT for Students in Grades 11 and 12

The ACT test returns scores in English, math, reading, and science, plus a composite score. Students in 11th grade take a state-funded ACT in the spring, while students in 12th grade have the opportunity to retake it in the fall.

Advanced Academic Tests for Students in Grades 9 through 12 Grades

Advanced Academic tests include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge (AICE), Dual Credit (DC), and Industry Certification (IC) test. Tests are taken at the conclusion of the corresponding course and typically occur in the spring, with a few happening at other times during the school year. Results return indicate mastery of the corresponding subject or skill area.

Career Inventory for 9th Grade Students

The inventory is administered by schools at varying times during the school year. Results provide career information that aligns to a student's interests and aptitudes.

District Benchmark for Students in Grades 9 to 12

These assessments are administered in courses that align to the state End of Course exams and are given at the of quarters 1, 2, and 3. Results are returned in English I and II, Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3, Biology I, and US History.

End of Course (EOC) for Students who are Taking the Corresponding Course

End of Course exams are the state-required and administered each spring. They are required to be taken by students enrolled in English I or II, Integrated Math 1, 2, or 3, Biology I, and US History.

ELPA21 is an English Language Proficiency test given to students who are English language learners.

This test is administered in February through April and measures a student's progress toward English language proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.

FastBridge is Given to Students in Grade 9

The administration for windows for FastBridge are August, January, and April. Results are reported in math and reading.

PreACT is Given to Students in Grade 10

The PreACT test is administered in either the fall or spring to correspond with the 11th and 12th grade ACT administration. Results returned include English, math, reading, science, and a composite score, as well as predicted ACT performance.