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Welcome, Juniors!
As you step into 11th grade, you’re entering a pivotal year in your high school journey. This is the time to focus on key areas that will pave the way for your future success. Here's what you need to prioritize:
Academic Excellence and GPA
Your performance this year is crucial as colleges will closely evaluate your junior year grades. Aim to maintain or improve your GPA by staying dedicated to your studies.
Standardized Tests
This year, you will take important standardized tests that are key indicators of college and career readiness. Make sure to prepare thoroughly for these exams:
SAT or ACT: Choose one and start preparing to achieve the best score possible.
WIN and ASVAB: These tests are critical for assessing your career readiness and can open doors to various opportunities.
College and Career Readiness
Meeting college and career readiness indicators is essential for graduation and any early release options during your senior year. Ensure you understand the requirements and strive to meet or exceed them.
College and Career Ready Requirements
College Ready
AICE Exam of C or Better - AS courses at Aiken High school are a great way to qualify as CCR. Performing well can earn you college credit based on the end of course examination.
AP Exam of 3 or Better - AP courses are another way to qualify for CCR. Performing well can earn you college credit based on the end of course examination.
Pass 6 Dual Enrollment Hours w/ a C or Better - Similar to AP/AS courses, dual enrollment classes are college classes that you can earn both HS and college credit for. We share a partnership with local universities. Visit our dual enrollment page for more information.
ACT Score of 20 or Better - The ACT test is one of the tests offered to third year students and is generally used for entrance into 4 year universities. AHS offers one of the college entrance exams to each third year student free of charge. Students are also welcome and encouraged to take these tests on their own outside of the free AHS offering.
SAT Score of 1020 or Better - The SAT test is one of the tests offered to third year students and is generally used for entrance into 4 year universities. AHS offers one of the college entrance exams to each third year student free of charge. Students are also welcome and encouraged to take these tests on their own outside of the free AHS offering.
Career Ready
Completes a State Approved Work-Based Learning on Internship Program - Work-based learning (WBL) and Career Internship is a school-coordinated, sponsored, coherent sequence of workplace experiences that are related to students’ career goals and/or interests, are based on instructional preparation, and are performed in partnership with local businesses, industries, or other organizations in the community. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world business or service-oriented work environment.
CTE Completer w/ Certification - Students can complete a CTE pathway at AHS or the Career Center within their elective credits required for graduation. Each semester students can take courses within their pathway to become a completer. Most pathways have two required courses and then the students can pick from one additional (within the pathway) to become a completer. By doing this, and earning a certification (offered within one of the three courses during the pathway) the student qualifies as a completer. This does NOT require any additional testing, just completion of the coursework (which is done during the typical HS experience when followed) Our counselors are well versed in helping our students decide on and stick with a pathway.
Earn Silver, Gold, or Platinum on the WIN Test - The WIN: Ready to Work assessment, which replaced the “work keys” assessment is an employability test that is required for ALL 3rd year students. This is by far the most attainable way to qualify as CCR. Considering this is given in a student's 3rd year of HS and is required, this is an excellent way to qualify prior to senior year.
ASVAB Score of 31 or Better - Starting this year, all 11th grade AHS students will take the ASVAB test, commonly thought to be for armed forces enlistment, is a valuable career exploration tool. The taking of the ASVAB does not commit them to anything relating to the armed forces.
Extracurricular Activities and Leadership
Get involved in extracurricular activities and seek leadership roles. These experiences enrich your high school life and enhance your college applications.
Visit the activities tab on the school website.
This year is important to make sure you are involved in quality extracurriculars that enhance your interest so that you can grow and take on potential leadership roles.
Let's make your junior year a successful and rewarding experience!