The calendar is key. Keep track of important school activities, dates, and deadlines so that you and your child are on the same page.

Encourage your student to join a team or club. Participating in extracurricular activities builds character and keeps students striving towards a goal.

Regularly review schoolwork and applications. Stay Involved using the Polk County Public Schools’ Parent Resources.

Urge your student to take more challenging courses, such as advanced placement (AP), honors classes, or dual-enrollment courses. Reassure them that they can handle the next step and support them as they do. 

Look at different banking options with your child. Now is a perfect time to teach them how to open accounts, make deposits, pay bills, and manage money.

Consider talking to your student about different post-high school options. College and Career Fairs are great ways to introduce them to various career paths. After speaking with your child and their school counselor, schedule visits to schools or employers you are considering. Florida’s Workforce Education Initative - new in 2024!

Meet your student’s school counselor yearly to discuss their academic progress and college or career options. Visit Florida’s Student Hub of Innovative Educational Services.

Ensure your child is ready for standardized tests by enrolling them in test-prep courses and taking preliminary exams when possible. Ask your child’s counselor about free test prep materials.

All Polk County, Florida, students participate in Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Assessments throughout the school year.

Stay on top of AP exam schedules, your student’s FAFSA status, scholarship applications, and other deadlines. All deadlines are essential and FINAL!

Encourage your child to work hard and follow their dreams.