College and Postsecondary
College and Postsecondary Counseling
IDEAL’s College and Postsecondary Counselor works closely with students and their families in a year-long class for seniors and a semester-long class for juniors. The counselor helps develop a student-centered, individualized plan that encourages students to take ownership of the process and reflect on how they learn best. Throughout the process, our counselor routinely shares information about college placement events throughout New York City.
Highlights of IDEAL’s College and Postsecondary Counseling Program:
- Weekly class for eleventh and twelfth grade students, including personal statement writing, interview preparation, and requesting letters of recommendation
- Four-month SAT test preparation class with Empire Edge and the opportunity to take the SAT, PSAT, and PSAT 10 on IDEAL’s campus
- Annual trips to visit local colleges and universities
- College and transition program information nights with school representatives
The College and Postsecondary Counseling Program at IDEAL (Grades 9–12)
At IDEAL, the College and Postsecondary Counseling Program provides many opportunities for personalization, exploration, and collaborative planning with students and their families.
Grade 9: Building Foundations and Beginning the Conversation
Ninth grade is about helping students adjust to High School and build strong academic and organizational habits. Attendance, punctuality, and steady effort are emphasized as important life skills.
Families of students with IEPs who plan to take the SAT in Grade 11 should arrange updated evaluations in Grade 9, as testing for accommodations must be completed within three years of the exam.
Students and families also start their first individual college and postsecondary meetings in the second semester. These early conversations focus on interests, strengths, and possible future paths, recognizing that goals may change over time. Discussions include course planning and extracurricular activities.
All ninth grade families attend an online introductory meeting and are encouraged to attend spring college or postsecondary panels.
- Grade 9-10 Intro to the College and Postsecondary Process, second semester
- College Representative Panel, late spring
- Postsecondary Program Representative Panel, late spring
- Grade 9 families will be notified as a group about representatives from various programs who visit the IDEAL campus, so they can join meetings that interest them.
Grade 10: Clarifying Goals and Intentional Exploration
In tenth grade, students continue to build academically while starting to clarify their interests and future goals. In the second semester, families and students meet individually with the College and Postsecondary Counselor to explore postsecondary options and identify programs to research or visit over spring break or the summer.
With family input, students may take the PSAT (fall) and PSAT 10 (spring) at IDEAL. Students planning to apply to college are encouraged to participate in IDEAL’s free after-school SAT prep class run by Empire Edge, which begins in January and may be taken more than once.
All tenth grade families attend an online introductory meeting and are encouraged to attend spring college or postsecondary panels.
- Grade 9-10 Intro to the College and Postsecondary Process, second semester
- College Representative Panel, late spring
- Postsecondary Program Representative Panel, late spring
- Sophomore families will also be notified as a group when representatives from various programs visit the IDEAL campus, so they can join meetings that interest them.
Grade 11: Focused Planning and Preparation
In eleventh grade, planning becomes more focused. After Winter Break, families meet with the College and Postsecondary Counselor to review goals and develop a list of likely, safety, and reach options. Additional support is available for families in the Zenith and Dylan Programs. In February, IDEAL hosts two informational meetings – one focused on college pathways and one on transition and other postsecondary options.
Students may take the PSAT in the fall and are encouraged to participate in IDEAL’s free SAT prep program, run by Empire Edge, starting in January. Juniors visit colleges and postsecondary programs and, when appropriate, begin transition visits to IDEAL’s Next Steps Program.
Beginning in the second semester, students meet weekly with the counselor as a class to clarify goals, complete interest surveys, and begin writing personal essays. By the end of the year, students finish a full essay draft and identify two teachers for recommendations. Juniors also review and finalize their options and plans with their families. Over the summer, students are encouraged to continue working on essays, visit programs, and gain experience through activities, jobs, or volunteering.
All juniors and their families are required to attend two of four meetings, at least one info session, and one panel, though they may join all four.
- Grade 11 College Info Session, in February, includes a timeline of key dates such as the FAFSA application timeline (beginning October 1), the Common App, Early Decision, and Early Action timelines (early November), and Early Decision II and regular decision (early January)
- Grade 11 Postsecondary Info Session, in February, covers transition, supported, and other postsecondary programs that are not traditional college programs
- College Representative Panel, late spring
- Postsecondary Program Representative Panel, late spring
- Junior families will also be notified as a group when representatives from various programs visit the IDEAL campus, so they can join meetings that interest them.
Grade 12: Applications, Decisions, and Transitions
Senior year focuses on completing applications (generally by December 1) and planning next steps. Families attend a group meeting early in the year to review deadlines, followed by individual family meetings in September and October. The counselor meets monthly with families until final decisions are made and provides ongoing reminders about applications, financial aid, and FAFSA deadlines. Families are also invited to meet visiting representatives from colleges and postsecondary programs.
Seniors meet weekly in small groups and individually with the counselor to complete applications, revise essays, collect recommendations, and meet deadlines (usually between December and February, depending on the school). Support continues through acceptances and final decisions. Class discussions cover college expectations, managing finances, succeeding academically, living with roommates, and identifying support resources at their next school.
See the College and Postsecondary Counseling Program timeline