There are many "Rites of Passage" that our students and parents anticipate and celebrate: going to school for the first time; transitioning from elementary to middle and then high school; first dances; getting a driver's license; graduation and more.
It used to be that SAT's were "reserved" for those students who were already prepared to go on to college after high school. This is no longer the case. I am proud to say that our state, our high school has made this a "rite of passage" for all students. Junior year, our students all take this test together and they take it seriously. Students and parents want to know "what they know" and this exam can be a part of that. I quietly "peeked" as our students recently took the SAT. I was so proud that every student was attentive and appeared to be working hard on this exam.
All of our students should have a goal of continued education after high school: trade school; community college; a 4 year college; on-line education; work-study; there are many more options now than ever before for us all to be life-long learners. Our schools provide opportunities for our students to take interest surveys to see what possible jobs would be a good match for their interests and the skills they would like to develop. Students can use this to find information on how to obtain that position, and the next steps needed in their education. Careers and continued education are explored at all three of our schools.
The SAT, in my mind, is just one of the steps our students can use to begin making those all-important decisions on the future they want for themselves. This is a great new "rite of passage" that every student can take advantage of.
