Skip To Main Content

Post High School

The journey after high school is as unique as each student who embarks upon it.
Whether your plans involve attending college, entering the workforce, pursuing
vocational training, starting an apprenticeship, joining the military, taking a gap year, or
exploring entrepreneurship, this transition marks the beginning of an exciting new
chapter in your life. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to success after
high school.

College & Career Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What pathways are available to students after high school? 

A: While about 93% of Staples students go on to pursue a four-year degree directly after graduation and many of our programs are dedicated to the college process, we recognize that that is not the desired or appropriate path for all. School counselors are dedicated to helping each student find their right fit path after high school, supporting students in exploring a variety of options including:

Associate Degree & Certificate Programs
Gap Year Options
Military
Post-Graduate Programs
Technical Schools & Apprenticeships
Vocational Training Programs

In addition, we hold a career exploration series, Spark Your Future, highlighting the various career paths that recent Staples graduates are pursuing and the insights gained and lessons learned along the way. 

Q: What is the best way to support my child through the post-high school planning process? 

A: Encourage your child to maintain a balance between their academics, extracurricular activities, and time spent with friends. Getting adequate rest, building friendships, and enjoying the high school experience will help your child thrive, now and into the future. Keep an open mind and encourage exploration and growth. Students should choose classes and activities that interest them and not be afraid to try something new. 

One important way that parents can help their child is with staying organized. As freshmen and sophomores, students will learn to balance academics with involvement in extracurricular activities. In junior and senior years, students will need to manage their schoolwork, growing involvement in extracurriculars, and the post-high school planning/college search and application process. We suggest using our junior year college planning and senior year college application organizational charts to help stay on top of tasks and deadlines. 

Q: When will school counselors begin working with students on their post-high school plans?

A: The School Counseling Department follows a developmentally appropriate post-high school planning timeline, starting in ninth and tenth grade. We do a series of classroom lessons including career exploration and assessment and resume building, and a college application and essay workshop. In December of junior year, students participate in group activities including learning how to perform a college search. In January, we hold our College Planning Night for Juniors and Families covering various aspects of the search and application process, then in the spring Finding Your Path: Exploring Post-High School Options for students considering two-year colleges, technical schools, gap year programs, the military, and other post-high school possibilities. Counselors hold individual post-high school planning meetings with students and their families during second semester of junior year and into senior year as needed. Visit the SHS Counseling website for more information regarding post-high school planning, programs at Staples, and links to important resources.

Key Dates to Watch For:
August

Multi-day College Application and Essay Workshops

September

College visits September - November; presentations to students and senior parents regarding college application process

October Financial Aid Application Night
November Navigating the College Search presentation
December Scoir Parent Workshop to learn about our college planning software platform, Scoir
January

Understanding College Financial Aid and Paying for College

Juniors: Post-High School Family Meetings with School Counselor begin and continue throughout second semester

Juniors: College Planning Night

February

Scholarships Workshop

Ninth-grade: Career exploration and assessment lesson

March

Preparing for a Successful College Transition for Students with Disabilities

 

College Night for Prospective Athletes / College Night for the Visual and Performing Arts (alternating years)

April

International University Admissions Panel 

College Admission Testing Presentation

Sophomores: Resume building lesson

May

Finding Your Path: Exploring Post High School Options

College Admission Panel 

Juniors: College application and college essay writing lesson

 

In This Section:

Recent News

Upcoming Events