Freshman - There is Hope

For years we have recognized that the most challenging year of high school is the first year – the lowly freshman. Often when I’m dealing with a fifth-year senior it becomes clear that it was the freshman year where they stumbled. We see classes failed and more academic struggles every year from the kids in grade 9.


So, this year at Lake Forest High School, they are launching a new initiative aimed at teaching 9th graders to think about the future. If you happen to have one in your house, you may respond “My child can’t see past Friday night and you’re going to get them to think about the future?”

Yes.  At least we hope so.

It’s called freshman seminar. Each 9th grader is enrolled. Ever student will be challenged to envision a future that includes:

• Graduation from high school

• Further education beyond high school

• Transition to workforce and economic self-sufficiency

They will be using the Career Choices curriculum which takes the kids through a step by step process to help them answer the questions: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get it? There will be more than 100 active-learning activities, each building upon the other. What does living on your own really cost? What does it cost to support and feed a family? How much money do I need for rent or mortgage?

The activities are designed to document the journey of self-exploration and can be used as a portfolio of sorts that can be modified as years go by.

We are excited about the introduction of Career Choices at Lake Forest High School as a part of the new Freshman Seminar. We feel confident it has the potential for creating many more successful Freshman Spartans