There’s a lot to think about as a parent of a sophomore or junior, especially what your child would like to do after high school.

If your child is thinking about attending college, you’ll want them to take the PSAT (pre-scholastic aptitude test). It’s a great way for them to practice for the real thing they’ll take the junior year. You’ll also want to think about taking a college tour with your student during school breaks or over the summer to schools they may be interested in attending. This is a great way to get a feel for the different environments of each school and talk with admissions counselors and financial aid advisors.

If your student is thinking about technical school, have them consider taking one of the many hands-on learning classes at WA like automotive repair, boatbuilding, and culinary arts. Make sure your student is taking enough challenging classes and getting involved with clubs or organizations outside of the classroom. A summer or part-time job as well as an internship or volunteer work in the community will also help build up your students resume.