Posts in High School

In today’s educational landscape there are many different options through which one can attend school. Understanding these options can be a daunting task for a parent as their differences can be slight and vocabulary unfamiliar.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolRob Hicks, M.Ed.February 17, 2019ask the expert, high school, academicsComment

TACO Tuesdays Aren't Always About Food

I tire myself out completely on the first two days of the school week and do not give myself enough time to take care of myself. This causes me to not want to get out of bed the rest of the school days afterwards. So, we created TACO Tuesdays to combat this.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkFebruary 11, 2019mental health, teens, student voiceComment

Denied: How to Handle the Rejection Letter

Life is full of serendipity. Just talk to any successful person, and you’ll hear stories of it from virtually every one of them. Many of the students who were denied admission to Hard-To-Get-Into-University found their experiences at their eventual choice could not have been matched by HTGIU. They found lives, they found friends, they found dreams, and yes, they even found jobs after completing degrees at their own schools.

High School, Collaborator Post, College CareerDr. Amanda SterkDecember 31, 2018college admissionsComment

Bridging the Gap Through Mentorship

Mentorship is an important attribute to the overall success of a student. When we acknowledge the unique interests of a student, we are capable of guiding them towards the space where they best thrive.

Collaborator Post, High School, AcademicDr. Amanda SterkDecember 31, 2018educators, mentorship, student supportComment

Top New Year's Resolutions for Teens

The best way to make and keep New Year's Resolutions is to make them 1) Attainable, 2) Have a Plan, 3) Share, and 4) Make them Personal. What I want may be completely different than what you want.

High School, Amanda SterkDr. Amanda SterkDecember 29, 2018student help, goals, infographicComment

Local College Access Networks: An Underutilized Resource

I am a FutureMaker. While many of you may not know what that means, I bet you believe in the shared vision that many educators, community leaders, business partners, and others have: to build a collaborative network to ensure all Floridians have the opportunity to achieve an education beyond high school to prosper in Florida’s dynamic economy.

Amanda Sterk, High School, College CareerDr. Amanda SterkDecember 3, 2018college readiness, community programs, student successComment

Five Strategies to Start the Year on the Right Foot

Each year presents a new challenge and gives us the opportunity to try things differently. With the new school year approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to achieve this year, and how you’re going to achieve it

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkSeptember 15, 2018academics, academic planning, parenting, studentsComment

Planning for College: Your 529 Guide

If you are a parent of a young child, like with all savings, the sooner you start the better. One of the ways to accomplish this is with a 529 Savings Account.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkAugust 18, 2018financial aid, parenting, college savingsComment

Mindfulness for Healthier, Happier Kids & Families

Mindfulness teaches kids and young adults to be aware of their environment, their own thoughts and their feelings. It cultivates self-confidence, compassion and empowerment. When parents and children habitually practice mindfulness, the family builds a foundation of support and trust.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkAugust 15, 2018mental health, parenting, teensComment

Why Every Teen Should be MOOCing!

Your Guide to MOOCs

Amanda Sterk, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkJune 12, 2018summer, academic planning, college creditsComment

Ask the Expert: Summer, Sunshine & Community Service

With summer approaching, many of the daily demands on teenagers will begin to fall away. This means more time to pursue other interests and/or obligations they might not have time for during the school year. For many students, one of these obligations is collecting community service hours.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolRob Hicks, M.Ed.June 5, 2018community service, community programs, volunteer, high schoolComment

Don't Let Your Teen Sleep the Summer Away

It may have taken some hard work convincing my students to attend a camp, job shadow or take a class over the summer, but all of them were thankful they did in the end. Why do I ask them to trade in their sleep for 'work'? The simple answer is DISCOVERY.

Collaborator Post, College Career, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkJune 3, 2018summer, college admissions, community serviceComment

Reaching for the Stars: Volunteering Beyond the Expected

Volunteering can be way more exciting and interesting than just completing the required number of hours to graduate.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkJune 3, 2018volunteer, internship, summerComment

What is the ACT?

So, here is everything you ever wanted to know about the ACT test.

Collaborator Post, College Career, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkMay 30, 2018ACT, standardized tests, college admissions, tutoringComment

Why You Should Take AP Exams: Your Questions Answered

Should you take the Advanced Placement exam? Here’s what you should know about the exams and some factors to consider before opting in to the test administration.

High School, Collaborator PostDr. Amanda SterkMay 28, 2018Florida, Advanced Placement, Raise.Me, academic planningComment

Your Student Testing Timeline

A student’s timeline for college-admissions testing.

College Career, High School, Amanda SterkDr. Amanda SterkMay 23, 2018ACT, SAT, infographicComment

To the Class of 2018: BE MORE!

Amanda Post, High School, College CareerDr. Amanda SterkMay 19, 2018students, life storiesComment

To SAT or to ACT, that is the Question

It is the time of year students must prep for and take the ACT or SAT exam. This is a difficult decision that requires time, effort, and has a cost associated with it. Taking both tests to figure out which one is the best for the student is not necessarily the best strategy.

Collaborator Post, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkMay 16, 2018ACT, SAT, high school, college admissions, standardized testsComment

Memory Makers- Creative Ways to Connect with your Teen Today

When a parent is looking for those last moments to spend time with the child heading off to college, how do we find a way to compete with those shiny gadgets and instant message posts? Here are 4 ways to engage and connect with your teen before the “off to college” road trip.

Collaborator Post, High School, ParentMelissa BeckMay 5, 2018parenting, activities, high schoolComment

Florida 2018 Legislation Affecting Education

Education was on the top of Florida's legislative session. Find out the numerous new state statutes that affects K-12 and higher education, including school safety, mental health, financial aid, and scholarships.

Amanda Sterk, High SchoolDr. Amanda SterkApril 21, 2018Education, K-12, higher education, Florida, StateComment

Feb 17, 2019

Feb 11, 2019

Feb 9, 2019

Creating a Healing Home

As a mom, trying to keep everything running like a well-oiled machine, this is a never-ending, daunting mostly thankless job!! Who’s got time to focus on healthy snacks, preventing illness and what’s sleep???

Jan 31, 2019

Education Our Way: How the #1 Public High School in the State Does Things Differently

Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School-Lee (FSWC-Lee) has decided to do education their way, and it is working with a number one ranking according to the Florida Department of Education.

Dec 31, 2018

Counseling Resources on Campus

One thing students should do early is inform themselves on the campus resources available to them while on tour and during orientation. They should get familiar with the mental and academic counseling options their college provides - many offer both right on campus.

College Campus Safety: What Every Student Should Know, Part I

It can be difficult to think and talk about sexual assault when your son or daughter is going off to college, but it’s important that you are both aware of the prevalent and frequent nature of sexual assault on college campuses across the country.

Dec 29, 2018

Dec 3, 2018

Feb 18, 2019

Dual Enrollment: Student Questions Answered

As director of a dual enrollment program for a Florida state college and a former school counselor for an early college/ collegiate program, I receive a lot of questions from parents and students interested about the dual enrollment process. In one presentation, these were questions students had written down for me to answer.

Jan 13, 2019

Bright Futures & Direct Entry & 3/2 Programs

Many universities provide “Direct Entry” or “Accelerated” programs that often bypass a highly competitive “limited access” program.

Dec 18, 2018

HELP! Not Meeting SAT Bright Futures

My daughter is creeping along slowly in her SAT attempts, this was her third attempt and each time she goes up by 30 points. She is so close to the SAT required for Florida Medallion and is miles ahead in her GPA and Service Hours, she simply doesn't test well.

Aug 31, 2018

Should I Be Worried About College in Middle School?

Great questions. Academic planning does need to be addressed early on in your high school career, even as early as middle school. The earlier the start the better. I have worked with too many parents and students who simply did not about certain programs that could have been a fit for them to advance in their academic/ career path while still in school- which could results in thousands of dollars saved in free college tuition or industry certifications.

Jun 13, 2018

AP's or Dual Enrollment? What is Best?

My daughter is going to be a junior in the fall and has taken rigorous courses to date. This summer she is taking philosophy and theater appreciation at PBSC. Are these good electives ? She has taken 3 APs so far and is taking 5 APs in the fall. Is it prefable to colleges if Dual enrollment is at PBSC or FAU?