Is Your High Schooler College Ready?

Is your high schooler college ready? It’s not always a simple “yes” or “no” question. High schoolers who are excelling in one area may be struggling in another, and even caring, watchful parents can miss the signs that a student isn’t ready for college. After all, students do have a knack for flying under the radar. 

In this article, the faculty members at Lakeside Christian School, one of the top Christian schools in Clearwater, FL, discuss how you can ensure that your high schooler is ready for everything that college has to throw at them. These years will have a tremendous impact on their success later in life. When your child walks out of high school for the last time, will you be content knowing that you did everything in your power to prepare them for what comes next?

Making the Grade 

As this Forbes article states, most high schoolers don’t score high enough on the ACT or SAT to be considered ready for their freshman year of college. “That means students may struggle in tough courses when they get to campus or wind up in remedial classes, even if they earned good grades and met all high school graduation requirements.” At Lakeside Christian School, we believe that students are more than just a number; however, test scores are important for highlighting areas where a student needs improvement. To be considered college-ready, a student would need to score: 

  • ACT: 22 in math, 22 in reading, 18 in English, 23 in science
  • SAT: 530 in math, 480 in reading and writing 

Our Clearwater, FL, Christian school takes college readiness very seriously. We believe that preparing students for college life and college coursework is one of the most important jobs that a school can perform, which is why our educators use an effective blend of curriculum, teaching methodologies, and technology to create a path of success for our students. Through data-driven instruction, we provide a solid foundation on which students can build a rewarding college experience. Of course, academic knowledge is only one part of what your child will need to succeed in college. 

Building a Network

Networking is one of the most important things your child can do to ensure their post-graduate success. This article from Lifehack sums it up perfectly: “In this age of connectivity no employer wants to, or needs to, risk hiring an unknown individual. Networking helps you to form relationships so future employers will see you as a friend instead of as a risk.” By the time they reach college, your high schooler needs to be their own person — they need the empathy, candor, and confidence necessary to network and build relationships, but these are skills best learned long before college. 

It’s all too easy for a high schooler to lose their identity and social skills among the hundreds of other students at their school. At Lakeside Christian School, our educators strive to ensure that every student finds their voice. No child gets left behind when they’re a part of our Clearwater, FL, Christian school. To safeguard your child’s academic and social success, schedule a tour at Lakeside Christian School. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our approach to preparing students for college and life after. 

If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, one of the best Christian schools in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.