2 of 26

Objective:

Our goal is to provide rising senior parents with key information to help make your transition to the final year of high school as smooth as possible. We will review several senior topics. If you have remaining questions, please use the following link:

Questions

3 of 26

Topics

Communication - Stay in the know
Navigating College Application Process
Student Services Communication
Graduation Essentials
Senior Photos & Senior Yearbook Ads
Prom/HOCO/Senior Week
Senior Parking
Q&A

4 of 26

Communication Keys

Register for Parent Square
Register for Student Square
Check student email daily
Check Naviance messages weekly
Check Canvas announcements
Follow AKHS PTSO facebook page
Follow IG @akstudentnews
Use the AKHS website and Student Services page
Check Knightly News on the AK website for daily announcements - have your students listen/watch the daily announcements
Attend Homeroom on Tuesdays

5 of 26

Good Reminders

“In the last 20 years, we have lost the plot with college admissions. Everyone seems to be more focused on prestige, rather than fit and purpose.”

“Success is not limited to those who went to the most prestigious colleges”

Jeffrey Selingo, author of Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You

6 of 26

Good Reminders ctd.

Your student is going to attend ONE college - do not be part of the problem by applying to 15+ schools.

This is why experts say the system is “broken” - students with no intention of attending holding spots that could be given to other students.

This is the season to empower your child - if you trust them to live on their own in a few months, they can send their own emails/do things on their own

7 of 26

Navigating the Application Process - Past Events

April: All Juniors given “Rising Senior Information Sheet” and general information about the college process at AK
April: Rising Senior Parent Information Night
May: Navigating the Common Application Information Session
May: Scholarships & Essays Information Session

Click pictures below for slides from each

August: All seniors given “Senior Handout” and information about Senior Appointments and NC College Connect

8 of 26

Complete Application Process How To

Navigating the Senior Year Process at AK

Senior Information Page

9 of 26

College Process Timeline

Task	Information	Program	Date
Research colleges & majors	Find colleges and programs that are a good fit for a student, and are feasible admissions possibilities Our rec: Apply to 3-7 schools College rep visits to AK - students can see list & sign up in Naviance	Naviance “About Me” Tools Naviance “SuperMatch” College Search Collegeboard “BigFuture” College Search	Summer & Fall 2025
Create commonapp.org account	1,000+ colleges use CommonApp (CA) to host their application. Almost all NC schools and our most popular regional schools use CA. Students will create a CA account with their personal email address as a “First Year Student” (even if they have taken CPCC courses)	Commonapp.org	Summer & Fall 2025
NC College Connect	NCCC is a new program in NC where students get DIRECT admissions to select NC colleges, based on weighted GPA only.	Every student received a letter at home; list is also available on CFNC.org - students need to login or create account to see schools they are automatically accepted to	Fall 2025

10 of 26

College Timeline ctd.

Work on applications and essays	Add colleges to CA list to see their essay topics (most schools update over the summer) View CA essay topics here Most of CA can be filled out now	Commonapp.org	Summer & August 2025
Letter of Recommendation	Most schools only ask for 1 LOR; few ask for 2. Students can use a blend of teachers and additional adults; Students enter teacher names into Naviance after Aug 1	Ideally, students ask for a LOR from their teachers now in person.	Spring 2025 & Early Fall 2025
Required Senior Appointment	Every student meets with their counselor to finalize applications and discuss future plans; transcripts will be sent after appointment. Links emailed to all students.	In person	September/October 2025
Submit applications	Officially transmit application to schools after paying (approx $60-85 each)	Commonapp.org	Generally Oct 15-Nov 15 (early deadlines)
Apply for scholarships/FAFSA	Use Naviance to search for scholarships that apply/qualify for	Naviance & Scholarship search engines	Oct-April 2026

Task	Information	Program	Date

11 of 26

Student Services Resources - Click These Links!

Student Services Website

Ardrey Kell Virtual College & Career Center

Instagram: Extra curricular opportunities posted almost daily

@ak_student_services

#1 Tip: Check student email daily

12 of 26

Graduation Essentials

2026 Graduation date is not announced yet - we will communicate as soon as we know

Graduation rehearsal is generally a week before the ceremony and is REQUIRED to walk

Cap and Gown orders are done online (click here) and due by Winter Break - they are then delivered at school in the Spring - all info given in homeroom and Parent Square
Honor Cords are given through select Honor Societies and are distributed at school during homeroom in May

Families may NOT purchase stoles or other regalia to decorate their graduate and no decorating of caps allowed

13 of 26

Senior Photos and Yearbook Ads

Welcome Cady Photography and Kelly Schueneman

14 of 26

Senior Ad Information

Celebrate your senior by purchasing a senior ad!!!!

16 of 26

We are CADY,

your exclusive

senior photographer.

❤️

18 of 26

Get your phones ready!

23 of 26

Booking is now open

www.cady.com/schedule

24 of 26

Questions?

Submit your question

25 of 26

Other Senior Information

Prom - Date & Place TBD
Prom Tickets will be sold online approximately one month before prom with Seniors purchasing first
Seniors may bring an outside guest if the guest meets the criteria
HOCO dance and Sadie’s dance are not scheduled yet
HOCO Football game - TBD

26 of 26

Senior Parking

Must have a valid NC driver’s license
Must have a 2.5 GPA
Must complete the online application which will go live in early July - will be communicated through Parent Square and on the website
Must come pick up decal with driver’s license and the car that will be parking on campus - usually the week before school
Must park in assigned space - any changes to car or issues with the space need to be brought to Ms. Deal ASAP (front office)
Painting spots (not bus lot spaces) will happen when scheduled by SGA - (August) - must be painted back

1 of 26