Introduction [ View Table of Contents ] [ En Español ]

Whether graduation seems light years away or alarmingly close, it’s never too early or too late, to think about making immediate and future plans which impact your education and your career. More than ever before, because there are and will continue to be incredible choices to make and paths to choose, planning ahead is a critical issue.

Enter Focus on your Future. This handbook was designed for you and your parents. This high school and post-secondary planning guide addresses the important concepts of high school graduation requirements, testing, exploration of post-secondary options, admissions requirements, financial planning and so much more. This handbook provides internet addresses, opening doors to unlimited sources of information. Above all, it will alert you to the issues that you and your family should be considering in order to make the best possible use of your time in high school and, simultaneously, plan for a smooth transition for those post-secondary years.

There are many people whose expertise and experience could be valuable to you. Your high school counselor, parents, older siblings, favorite teachers, youth directors and employers all will have significant contributions to offer as you make decisions about courses to take, experiences to have, and options to consider. Although the road will be yours to choose, there will be no shortage of information, resources, and help for you along the way…starting with Focus on your Future.

All of us in the Austin Independent School District and your high school campus staff wish you a year full of successes and interesting experiences, challenges and the confidence to face them, and new opportunities and the vision to take advantage of them.

Table of Contents

Austin ISD High Schools [32KB PDF]

Choosing a Graduation Plan [54KB PDF]

Course Selection and Individual Academic Career Plan [39KB PDF]

Testing Information [197KB PDF]

• PSAT/NMSQT
• SAT Reasoning Test
• SAT Subject Tests
• ACT
• THEA
• TAKS
• AP
• CBE/CLEP

Ways to earn college credit while in high school [94KB PDF]

• Dual Credit
• Tech Prep

Planning Checklist by Grade Level [93KB PDF]

• Freshmen (9th Grade)
• Sophomore (10th Grade)
• Junior (11th Grade)
• Senior (12th Grade)

College application process [199KB PDF]

• HB 1403 (immigrant students)
• NCAA Information
• Teacher and Counselor Recommendations
• The campus visit and college evaluation
• College search websites
• College comparison worksheet
• Sample admission letters

Financial Aid Information [191KB PDF]

• Scholarships
• AISD Scholarship application form
• Tuition Exemptions
• TEXAS Grant and other grants
• Work-study
• Loans
• Financial Aid application process
• Sample letter for financial aid information
• Scholarship and financial aid resources on the internet

Appendix [91KB PDF]

• Sample Resume (Employment)
• Sample Resume (College Admission)
• Senior Brag Sheet (student)
• Senior Brag Sheet (parent)
• Graduation Countdown form

Glossary of Terms [114KB PDF]