With this foundation in place, our guidance program aspires to accomplish three primary goals in the lives of our students. First, it is our desire that every GCS graduate will continue his or her education after high school. Regardless of whether a student chooses a traditional baccalaureate degree, vocational or job training, junior college/community college, an advanced professional degree, or a discipleship/apprenticeship program, we encourage each student to find the best fit for his or her particular goals, and we celebrate the success of each graduate. Second, we desire that our students pursue their education and practice their respective vocations as intentional acts of worship toward God, recognizing that their identity is not found in their work or career, but only in Christ himself. Third, we prayerfully strive for our graduates to find a sense of calling in their lives so they can successfully impact the world for Christ. Frederick Buechner famously said, “The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet,” and we long to see that reality fulfilled in the lives of our graduates.

We have developed a comprehensive four-year curriculum to guide our work with students and their families and to help achieve these goals. We will assist families in identifying each student’s individual gifts and abilities, developing ideas for potential career paths, and establishing appropriate educational goals through a variety of activities and resources, including recommended reading with guided reflection; personality, career, and aptitude assessments; career exploration tools and programs; and individual college tours. We will educate students on the college application procedures and timeline, directing them through the process and assisting them upon request. Throughout the four-year journey, we expect parents to actively engage in their child’s future planning and to take the initiative in learning about educational options, and we require students to serve as the sole authors of all applications, essays, and supporting documentation. We will also take every opportunity to encourage students in their individual journeys and celebrate with them as they embrace their uniqueness, pursue their dreams, find their calling, and commit all their work to the Lord.

As your guidance counselors, we are honored to walk this journey with each family and count it a privilege to serve our Lord by serving you. Please contact us anytime you need assistance.

This is the year to dream big!  As a freshman, high school is new and exciting; it holds endless possibilities.  In the college guidance office, we encourage ninth grade students to discover their God-given gifts and talents, to try new extra-curricular activities, and adapt to learning at the high school level.  This is the student’s opportunity to learn how to learn.  There will be a time of transition and growth, but students should not be afraid of failure because great lessons can be acquired through making mistakes and improving oneself.

During the freshman year, the guidance office will introduce Naviance Family Connection, a web-based college and career readiness program available to every Grace student.  Using Family Connection, we will administer assessments to discover each student’s learning style and multiple intelligences.  We will also research colleges and careers while dreaming of the future.

Sophomore year is the time for each and every student to develop the gifts and talents given by God.  This is a year to know yourself and know your strengths.  With drive and determination, students can improve on the academic and extra-curricular foundations they began freshman year.

The guidance office will provide parameters to direct tenth grade students as the continue to dream and plan for the future.  We will administer a personality profile called, “Do What You Are” using Family Connection.  This assessment links careers, majors, and colleges with each student’s personality type, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.  Developing and applying these strengths throughout the sophomore year will help students build confidence and be successful in their school activities.

As upperclassmen, juniors need to create depth in their classes, extra-curricular activities, and college preparation. Since most students will apply for college before December of the senior year, this will be the last year to improve their high school grade average. Eleventh grade is the year to dedicate oneself to improving grades, to assume leadership roles in extra-curricular activities, and to serve in the school and the community. Taking on more leadership roles and responsibility is important for juniors who want to distinguish themselves from the crowd, and all juniors will focus their efforts on admissions testing and college research.

In the guidance office, we provide resources for test prep as well as college research. Whether it’s the ACT/SAT, college fairs or college visits, we are excited to help students grow in knowledge and preparedness as they go deeper this school year.

Senior year has finally arrived!  This is the year to deploy the God-given gifts and talents the students have been working to discover, develop, and deepen over their high school career.  The school year will be busy with completing applications, writing essays, visiting campuses, and searching for scholarships.  It’s also important for every student to follow through with school commitments and finish the year strong.  After four years of dreaming of all the great possibilities the future holds, every student will have to make a decision about what to do after graduation.  The guidance office understands the weight of this decision, and we are here to help in any way possible.

• www.bigfuture.org (Step-by-step college planning site from College Board)
• www.myblueprintstory.com (Learn about Christian colleges and universities all over North America)
• www.collegeforalltexans.com (Interactive college planning website specific to Texas)
• www.youniversitytv.com (Video campus tours from around the nation)
• www.whatwilltheylearn.com (Free guide to what college rankings don’t tell you)
• www.princetonreview.com (Excellent site for college research and rankings, career search, test prep, and scholarships)
• www.college.gov (College planning information from the Department of Education)
• www.cappex.com (College search, reviews, and scholarships)

• www.studentaid.ed.gov (Department of Education home page for federal student aid)
• http://collegecost.ed.gov (College tuition costs & affordability)
• www.fafsa.gov (Instructions for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• National Scholarship Search in Family Connection or www.myscholly.com (Both of these scholarship search tools create a custom list of scholarships based on your preferences and both will protect your privacy and not generate spam)
• www.etcf.org (East Texas Communities Foundation is a local organization that manages over 35 different scholarship programs.)
• www.weirdscholarships.net (Independent listing of unique scholarship programs around the country. No personal information is taken.)
• www.legion.org/needalift/ (Online resource book created by the American Legion that lists scholarship programs and offers financial aid assistance)
• www.fastweb.com or www.scholarships.com (Nationwide scholarship search engines)

• www.actstudent.org (Register for the ACT, check or send scores, and prepare for the test)
• www.collegeboard.org (Register for the SAT, check or send scores, and prepare for the test)
• www.kaplanatschool.com/tylerschools (Customized listing of upcoming courses and programs offered in Tyler by Kaplan Test Prep)

• www.eligibilitycenter.org (Information and registration for prospective NCAA student-athletes)
• www.playnaia.org (Information and registration for prospective NAIA student-athletes)
• www.playced.com (College matching service for prospective college athletes)