9th Grade College Counseling
Upper School Orientation: Academics and Extracurricular Involvement
Instructor – Mrs. Stacey Evert, Director of College Counseling
Contact Info - 402.556.3772, ext. 1018 / stevert@brownell.edu
Description and Rationale
The Freshmen Upper School Orientation will reinforce the importance of academics and extracurricular
involvement in order to have a successful high school career. The students will become familiar with the Upper
School curriculum and the impact of cumulative and semester GPAs, academic rigor, and course selection on
the college application process. Students will discuss their strengths and interests and build on these through
involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, summer programs, and leadership opportunities.
Freshmen will be introduced to Naviance’s Family Connection and begin utilizing the software program to
record activities to build a resume as well as research colleges, summer enrichment programs, and scholarships.
Through class activities, students will become focused on high school accomplishments and college preparation.
Learning Objectives
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Understand the impact of academics on the high school career and the college preparation and selection
process
Identify strengths and talents and discover opportunities to build on these through extracurricular
involvement
Successfully ease into the Upper School academic and extracurricular climate
Begin the college exploration process through the utilization of Family Connection
Teaching Methods
Academics and Extracurricular Involvement is a student-centered course. Classroom discussions and activities
are an integral part of the teaching and learning process. Students will work individually and in small groups.
Active classroom participation is an important component to the mastery of the learning objectives listed above.
Course Materials
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Registration and utilization of the Family Connection program
Handouts distributed throughout the quarter
Outline of Topics
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Academic reflection and transcript review
Resume building: importance of extracurricular and community involvement
College research process
Evaluation/Grading Procedures
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Required course, no grade/credit received
Active class participation required
Weekly Schedule/Length of Course
Weekly class on Thursday throughout the fourth quarter.