Attend

  • 9th Grade Parent Orientation
  • Upper School Back to School Night
  • 9th Grade Parent Forum
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Upper School Curriculum Night
  • Financing College Program
  • College Roundtables

Connect

Meet your student’s Advisor and Dean.  Discuss their academic strengths and areas of greater challenge.  Learn how your student can become involved in extracurricular activities, sports, volunteering, the arts, etc.  Ninth grade is the perfect time to try new activities!

Balance

Ask your student how the first weeks of school are progressing: are some of their courses too difficult? Too easy? If so, speak with the Advisor or Dean once you receive your student’s interim grades in November.  Finding the right level will enhance achievement and create a solid foundation for success in later years.

Discuss

Ensure your student is developing a routine of school, extracurricular activities, study, and leisure time.  Balance is important, both now and especially in their later, busier years.

Assess

Most 9th graders do not take standardized tests.

Plan

Summer activities can help your student expand current interests or explore new ones. Some camps and programs have deadlines beginning in January.

Attend

  • Upper School Back to School Night
  • 10th Grade Parent Forum
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Financing College Program
  • Sophomore Families College Night
  • Upper School Curriculum Night
  • College Roundtables

Connect

Keep in touch with your student’s Advisor and Dean regarding your student’s progress, and the transition from 10th to 11th grade.  College Counselors will discuss course selection with sophomores in the spring.

Balance

Talk to your student about the increasing importance of finding the right balance of achievement and challenge, and discuss with them which classes and subjects they enjoy the most and why.  As the year progresses, discuss what courses they might be considering for 11th and 12th grades.

Budget

Even if you are not applying for financial aid, complete the Net Price Calculator (found on college financial aid pages). If you do plan to apply for aid, this is a crucial step, as early planning is critical.  Attend the Financing College Program.

VISIT

Consider visiting some college campuses, particularly if they are “on the way” to somewhere you are already going, or near a holiday destination.

Assess

Tenth grade is the beginning of practice standardized tests. Look for information about practice PSAT, SAT, and ACT events.

Plan

Summer activities can help your student expand current interests or explore new ones. Some camps and programs have deadlines beginning in January.

Attend

  • College Roundtables
  • Financing College Program:
    • This is extremely important for parents of 11th graders to attend, since this tax year (and the previous) will be used in determining your financial aid award eligibility.
  • Junior Families College Orientation Night in January: At this event, families will learn about the upcoming college process in detail, have questions answered, and receive their log-in codes for SCOIR, our online college research and application tracking program.

Visit

Plan to visit colleges. Review the D-E School calendar and note all days when school is not in session. Juniors are allowed to use two excused absence days for college visits.

Assess

All juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT in October.  Look for information about registration for a Saturday exam on campus.

The “process” begins!

In second semester, Juniors begin meeting individually with their assigned College Counselors. College Knowledge, a required small-group course led by their counselor, will be added to their schedules.

Partner

Schedule a family appointment with your student’s College Counselor. It is important for parents/guardians to be partners throughout the college process. We welcome and encourage family appointments!

The D-E College Counseling Office (CCO) Team

Dean of College Counseling

Eileen Cunningham Feikens

Administrative Assistant

Angie Smith

CCO Office Phone Number: 201.227.3170