Preparing for college
th
in the 9 grade
BY JACKLYNN SPRAGUE
Why is college important?
Financial Security: Individuals with a 4-year college degree earn an average
of $22,000 MORE per year than those with only a high school diploma.
Health: Young adults with a 4-year college degree are much less likely to be
obese.
Job Security: Individuals with a 4-year college degree are about half as likely
to be unemployed as those with only a high school diploma.
**For most students who go to college, the increase in lifetime earnings far
outweighs the cost of their education.
IMPORTANT DATE

College Fair at Ohlone College (Fremont Campus) this coming Tuesday,
October 1st from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Epler Gymnasium.
Preparing for college in 9th grade

Explore career options

Participate in extracurricular activities

Meet with your teachers and school counselor

Save for college

Explore summer opportunities

Create a 4 year plan
Career Options

Students should begin exploring career options. The following websites have career interest surveys that
can help students explore career options:

https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/
(See counselor for login information)

www.cacareerzone.org

www.californiacolleges.edu

www.bigfuture.org

Once students begin to narrow down which careers they are interested in, they can begin to choose
some possible college majors.

Students can make an appointment with Mrs. Janelle Coleman in the College/Career Center in Room
204 to get help with career interest surveys.

Take the ASVAB. This test is a free career exploration survey. Register with Mrs. Coleman in room 204 to
take this test on Thursday, November 7 at 8 AM. Find more information about this program at
www.asvabprogram.com
Extracurricular Activities

Explore interests in a sport, club, leadership, music or drama group, or
community programs

If you want to play sports in college go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to
verify what courses are needed in high school to be eligible

Remember…colleges would rather see real involvement in one activity instead
of loose connection to several

Clubs: 540, Afghan, Anime, Asian, AVID, College Bound, CSF, Debate, DECA,
Desi, Engineering, Environmental, Fashion, Filmology, Interact, Journalism,
Korean, LEO, Musicality, National Honor Society, Pakistani American Culture,
Performing Arts, and Vietnamese Student Association. (www.jfkhs.org – Click
Students – Click Clubs)

Sports: Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Baskteball, Cheer, Cross Country, Dance
Team, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, and Wrestling
(www.jfkhs.org – Click Athletics)

(Mr. McDermott – Athletic Director - pmcdermott@Fremont.k12.ca.us)
Meet with school staff

Students should check in with their teachers to see how they are doing and
how they can improve. They can always ask for tips on how to pass each
course.

Students and Parents should register for School Loop to stay up on grades,
assignments, and school activities. Register at: https://kennedy-fusdca.schoolloop.com

Students should check in with their counselor if they are concerned about not
being on track for graduation or college. School counselors will meet with
every student in March to help them pick their classes for the following year.

Teacher and staff information can be found on the school website
(www.jfkhs.org) or on School Loop (kennedy-fusd-ca.schoolloop.com).
Save for college

Begin thinking about ways to save for college

Review financial aid information at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

For undocumented students see www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp

Review scholarship opportunities at www.jfkhs.org or www.fastweb.com

Set aside a small amount each month if possible to get a small fund for college

PSAT/PLAN/EXPLORE - Tests – 9th-11th ($35, $15)

SAT/ACT Tests - Spring 11th grade, Fall 12th grade ($45-$48)

College Applications 12th Grade (Varies at $55 & up)

AP Tests – Whenever taken ($90 per test)
Explore summer opportunities

Look for a job, internship or volunteer position that will help you learn about
a field of interest.
4Year Plan

The counselors presented 4 year plans in the English 9 classes. For students
with Term 2 English, a separate presentation was done as well.

To graduate, students need to complete:

230 Credits

40 Service Learning Hours

English and Math High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE)
FUSD Graduation Requirements

40 English Credits

30 Social Studies/History Credits

30 Mathematics Credits

20 Science Credits (Physical and Life)

20 PE Credits

10 Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) , World Language, or
Career/Technical Education (CTE)

5 Health and 5 Computer Credits

70 Elective Credits
CSU/UC A-G Eligibility Requirements

Area A: 20 Credits of Social Studies/History

Area B: 40 Credits of English

Area C: 30 Credits of Mathematics (40 recommended)

Area D: 20 Credits of Lab Science (30 recommended)

Area E: 20 Credits of the same World Language (30 recommended)

Area F: 10 Credits of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)

Area G: 10 Credits of a College Prep Elective
SAMPLE 4 YEAR PLAN – FUSD & A-G Requirements
9th Grade
English 9A or English 9 H
Algebra 1 or higher
Integrated Science or Biology H
Spanish 1 or French 1
Health/Computers
PE 9
2 Electives
11th Grade
English 11A or English 11 AP
US History or US History AP
Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2) or higher
Chemistry or Chemistry H
Spanish 3 or French 3 (recommended)
3 Electives
10th Grade
English 10A or English 10 H
World History or World History H
Geometry or higher
Biology or Biology AP
Spanish 2 or French 2
PE 10
2 Electives
12th Grade
English 12A or English 12 AP
Gov’t/Econ, Gov’t/Econ H, or Gov’t/Econ AP
Trigonometry or higher (recommended)
Physics or Physics AP (recommended)
4 Electives
Electives Options

History


Math


Biology AP, Chemistry AP, Anatomy (ROP), Physics, Physics H, or Physics AP
Fine Arts


PreCalculus, PreCalculus H, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Introduction to
Statistics, AP Statistics
Science


Big History
Art, Band, Ceramics, Choir, Digital Photo, Digital Imaging, Digital Video (ROP), Drama,
Sculpture
PE

Weight Training or PE 11/12
Elective Options
Other
Ohlone
ROP
AVID
English
Intro to Hospitality (GVA)
Construction (ROP)
Intro to Business
Culinary Arts 1, 2 (GVA)
Work Experience
Philosophy
Event Planning (GVA)(Internship)
Yearbook
Psychology
Auto Body or Tech
Journalism
Sociology
Careers in Education (Internship)
CAHSEE Prep
Computer Anim. or Graphics
Leadership
Digital Sound Design
Peer Resources 1, 2
Fire Science/EMT
AVID Tutor
Game Design
TA
Law Enforcement
Medical or Nursing Assistant (Internship)
Sports Therapy (Internship)
Service Learning Hours

Students must complete 40 Service Learning Hours by the time they
graduate.

Kennedy’s Service Learning Coordinator is Mrs. Dee Clark. She is in Room
114 and can be reached at dclark@fremont.k12.ca.us or at 510-657-4070
x27114.

To get information on Service Learning Opportunities see our website.

Go to www.jfkhs.org

Click on Students

Click on Service Learning
CA High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE)

The State of California requires all student to pass an English and Math Exit
Exam on top of their other district requirements to graduate.

Students take the English and Math CAHSEE for the first time in March of their
Sophomore year.

Once students pass they will no longer take it again. If they do not pass one or
both sections they have several chances to take it again.

The English exam includes multiple choice questions and an essay. This exam
covers through 9th grade English.

The Math exam includes multiple choice questions. This exam covers through
Algebra 1 with a little Geometry.

For more information see the CA Dept. of Education’s CAHSEE Website:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/
What to do in 10th grade…

10th Grade

Students should check in with their counselor to make sure they are on track to
graduate and to meet the college entrance requirements

Students should take the PSAT. This test is offered in October on a Saturday at
Kennedy and will cost around $30

Visit college campuses and attend college fairs

Continue participating in extra curricular activities

Make an email account for college “stuff”
What to do in 11th grade…

11th Grade

Students should check in with their counselor to make sure they are on track to graduate and to meet the
college entrance requirements

Students should take the PSAT. This test is offered in October on a Saturday at Kennedy and will cost
around $30

Visit college campuses and attend college nights and fairs as a way to begin a list of potential college to
apply to

Continue participating in extra curricular activities

Take the ACT or SAT in Spring (April – June) (ACT: www.actstudent.org ) (SAT: www.collegeboard.com)

Make a list/calendar of college and financial aid deadlines

If you plan to play sports in college, begin registering with NCAA at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Work on building a resume that includes your accomplishments, activities, work experience, and life
experiences

Review financial aid and scholarship resources
What to do in 12th grade…

12th Grade


September

Narrow down your list of college applications

Create a calendar that includes test dates, registration deadlines, college application due
dates, financial aid application due dates, and other deadlines

If on free/reduced lunch, see your counselor about testing and college application fee
waivers

Retake the ACT or SAT if needed(ACT: www.actstudent.org ) (SAT: www.collegeboard.com)
October

Ask teachers/counselors for letters of recommendation if needed

Begin drafting your college essay(s) prior to the college application deadlines

Request your ACT, SAT, AP, and SAT Subject Tests to be sent to colleges you are applying to

Begin and submit applications for the California State University (CSU) schools
(www.csumentor.edu)
What to do in 12th grade…

12th Grade


November

Finalize your college application essay(s)

Begin and submit applications for the University of California (UC) schools
(www.universityofcalifornia.edu)

Being working on and submitting your out-of-state and private college applications
(Deadlines will vary)
December

Continue and submit your out-of-state and private college applications (Deadlines will
vary)

Sit down as a family and review the FAFSA application and gather financial information
prior to completing the application (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
What to do in 12th grade…

12th Grade



January

Continue and submit your out-of-state and private college applications (Deadlines will vary)

Complete the FAFSA as a family at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Complete an official transcript request for colleges/universities requesting a copy
February

Continue working hard in your classes and keeping grades up (NO SENIORITIS!)

Follow up with any requests made by the colleges/universities for further information
March

Follow up with any requests made by the colleges/universities for further information

Complete Community College applications (www.cccco.edu)
What to do in 12th grade...

12th Grade



April

College acceptances, denials, and financial aid offers will begin coming in. Review them as
a family to make a final decision on which college to attend.

Review placement test, housing, financial aid, and intent to enroll documentation and follow
any deadlines given
May

Submit your letter of intent to enroll (Usually May 1st)

Review placement test, housing, financial aid, and intent to enroll documentation and follow
any deadlines given

Request a final official transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending
June

GRADUATE!!!
Contact Information


Counselors
510-657-4070

A-D: Mrs. Tifni O’Neill
toneill@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27017

E-K: Mr. Dave Reska
dreska@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27019

L-Q: Mrs. Stacey Bamford
sbamford@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27018

R-Z: Ms. Jacklynn Sprague
jsprague@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27006

College/Career Specialist: Mrs. Janelle Coleman
jcoleman@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27204
Principals

Principal: Mr. Edward Velez
evelez@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27306

Assistant Principal (Seniors): Ms. Silvia Carrillo
scarrillo@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27016

Assistant Principal (A-K): Ms. Nafeesah Rasheed
nmustafa-rasheed@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27003

Assistant Principal (L-Z): Dr. Ronaldo Fisher
rfisher@fremont.k12.ca.us
x27008