Covenant Day School September 22, 2015 The Guidance Office

 We all need help with perspective. Let’s remind each other of the importance of seeing the BIG PICTURE in the midst of the day to day.  We are in the middle of a raging river. What are we going to do?  What do you really want for your children?  Listen. Pray. Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment.

What are the key element in helping students make choices in high school about classes, balance in their lives, about growth and even about choosing a college? Calling & Fit

 59% of young adults age 18-29yrs. who have grown up in the church will disconnect from church for a period of time  some will turn away from the faith completely (not all)  most will return, but the detour is preventable

Espousing a philosophy to live, think and approach everything from a biblical perspective is radical and clearly counter- culture. Pastor Kyle Idleman: gods at war study

WHAT MATTERS…. WHAT REALLY MATTERS….  Grades  Involvement in extra- curricular activities  Getting into a “good” college or university  Fostering a love of exploration, thinking, a discipline for problem solving and developing a strong work ethic.  Trying to match up strengths, passions and interests with service. Cultivates CALLING!  Discovering God’s plan and where He is leading you to do His Kingdom work. FIT!

PSAT: (9 th,10 th & 11 th ) Wednesday, Oct. 28 th (national merit scholarship competition – 11 th grade) Practice ACT: (9 th, 10 th 11 th ) Wednesday, Nov. 25 th – practice, practice, practice!

 Helpful as a baseline  Watch the ENEWS/ Guidance page for detailed information on how to review the results.  PSAT results returned in late December  ACT results returned in late January  IMPORTANT: Bring PSAT and ACT Results to Spring Guidance Night for a seminar on how to interpret the results.  Monday, March 7 th -Spring Guidance Night

 See parent guidebook on guidance page for using….Naviance -Family Connection  Freshmen and Sophomores all have their accounts.  Current Tasks: Learning Styles Inventory Career Interest Profiler Do What You Are NOTE: the resume builder is a good tool for organizing & keeping a record of information

FALL COLLEGE FAIRS:  Saturday, September 26: Charlotte Independent Schools College Fair will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center from 1:00-3:00 pm. As you arrive at the Convention Center, go to the Covenant Day School table and pick up your nametag. We are hoping that all sophomores, juniors and seniors will be able to attend. Freshmen should wait until next year. Visit for more information.  Monday, September 28: CDS Christian College Fair in the HS gym from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. Christian College representatives from all over the country will be here.  Monday, September 28: The National Christian College Fair at Charlotte Christian School from 6:30-8:30 pm. Covenant Day School does not have any athletic or fine art events the night of this fair, so that our parents and students are able to attend. We highly recommend that you attend this fair! There are also Free admission and financial aid workshops are available at the fair. Register online in advance at

What determines a good FIT when considering colleges? (important family discussion)

 Academic (grades, test score, intensity  Spiritual/social (theology, rules, campus atmosphere, general campus ethos)  Other factors (location, program, etc.)

The integration of faith, learning and living

 Engaging and discerning today’s culture  Real world experiences – not a “protective bubble”  Interacting with world class authors, speakers, musicians and artists  Helping students answer: “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose/calling?”

Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives Team of researchers who select a number of colleges per region as Colleges That Change Lives -Read the first 14 pages

 Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student- centered college search process. We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college. 

200 colleges selected as colleges of distinction based on the following criteria: -Engaged Students -Great Teaching -Vibrant Communities -Successful Outcomes

 Allows students to search for Christian colleges within the U.S.  Approximately 100 colleges and universities from which to search. It’s a great way to narrow the field.

CDS’ Action Plan!  Provide great opportunities for students to be challenged.  Provide opportunities for students to be comfortable and enjoy a sense of community with peers, faculty, coaches, advisors and administrators.  Help stimulate a collaborative effort for learning and growing where students are held accountable, free to question and encouraged to pursue all truth.

 Academic Preparation for College (take it one year at a time)  Leadership (in areas of interests/passions)  Service (in areas of interests/passions)  Depth in Activities (dig in; don’t be a mile wide and an inch deep)  Grades (diligence, time, work ethic should be focus)  Growth & the importance of authenticity (We don’t want students doing things because they “look good to colleges”.)

 Pray daily for the Lord’s pursuit of your child and for opportunities to talk about that which is eternal.  Keep things in perspective. This is a good place for them to fail---much better than college. Remember that they are not yet who they will be. Thanks be to God.  Live out an authentic, Christian life in front of them including admitting faults, fears and your own life lessons.

What parents can DO? 1. Support & encourage their teens’ & young adults’ need for meaningful relationships w/ other Christian young adults 2. Feed their need for a clearer sense of calling and vocation ; 3. Realize they need a renewed sense of wisdom/revelation that God is really speaking to them. 4. Embrace the scripture as it has claim on their lives; keep communications clear/crisp/relevant to them

-closer one-on-one time -a deeper relationship -set us up to understand each other better -interacted with me more -good conversations -encouraged me -calm -prayed more -reminding me not to stress -encouraged and challenged -intentional about talking to me -asking questions -keeping my stress level low -remind me of the Lord’s sovereignty -the Lord’s sovereignty

 We love learning how to best serve your students.  We are praying for you as parents and for your children’s walk with the Lord.