Junior Family College Night Information Presentation:

On January 13th at 5 pm in the Conservatory Hall, the Counseling Team will host our Junior Family College Night on campus. We are excited to partner with your family as you explore options and set goals for life beyond high school. Because junior year can be especially busy, it is easy for students to fall behind in the college research process. This presentation is designed to simplify that journey. We will outline the recommended steps students should take this year to research and evaluate colleges that align with their values, interests, and priorities. Students will learn what they should begin working on now, along with an overview of the full application timeline. Parents will receive guidance on how to best support their student throughout this process. A reminder and final location details will be emailed to all families one week before the event.

Junior Family Meetings:

With the college application process quickly approaching, it is essential that our families feel informed and confident. The Junior Family Meeting is designed to guide you through the next steps and provide space for individualized questions. During your meeting, your counselor will review the overall application process, help you refine your college list, and offer suggestions to strengthen your activity list and résumé. In mid-January, you will receive an email from your assigned counselor with instructions on how to schedule this important meeting, which will take place between mid-January and March.

Summer Programs:

Summer programs can be a valuable learning opportunity for students in grades 9–11. Many programs require a teacher recommendation as part of the application. To support our teachers and ensure fairness for all students, the deadline to request a Summer Program Recommendation is January 10, 2026. In most cases, teacher requests submitted after this date will not be accepted. If your student is considering a summer program, please encourage them to begin researching their options in the coming weeks and determine what each program requires in terms of applications. 

To promote balance and wellness for both teachers and students, the following limits are in place: 

·    9th Grade: Students must apply to programs that accept a counselor recommendation. A teacher recommendation may only be requested for UC COSMOS, and only if the student is currently engaged in AMSE or an approved external STEM program. 

·    10th Grade: Students may apply to two programs that require a teacher recommendation and may request only one teacher. 

·    11th Grade: Students may apply to three programs requiring teacher recommendations. They may request up to two teachers, but one of those teachers must also serve as a senior-year college application recommender. 

We are excited to support students as they pursue meaningful summer opportunities and kindly ask that families follow the guidelines and timeline outlined above. For more information and resources, please visit the Summer Programs section on the Counseling webpage. 

College and Career Conference: Save the Date

Mark your calendars for the morning of Saturday, March 14th! The VCHS Counseling Team is delighted to invite you to our annual College & Career Conference, one of our most impactful events of the year. This conference is thoughtfully designed to equip students and families with the insight, tools, and confidence needed to navigate the ever-changing college admissions landscape. Whether your student is just beginning to explore post-secondary options or is preparing to build a college list, this event provides meaningful guidance for every stage of the journey.

The morning will feature a dynamic keynote speaker offering perspective on college admissions, career development, and student well-being. Attendees will also have opportunities to ask questions, hear from experts, and learn practical steps your family can take this spring and summer. A wide range of breakout sessions will be offered, including:

·    Understanding the college search process

·    Selecting majors and exploring career pathways

·    Navigating financial aid and scholarships

·    Planning for competitive applications in STEM, business, arts, and more

This event is an essential resource for anyone seeking clarity, encouragement, and direction as they plan for life beyond high school. More details and registration information will be shared in early 2026. We look forward to seeing you there!

SAT School Day for Juniors:

The SAT School Day for JUNIORS ONLY will take place on April 21, 2026. This on-campus testing opportunity allows you to take the SAT in a familiar environment, during the school day, and without the challenges of weekend scheduling or navigating off-site testing centers. While many colleges continue to offer test-optional admissions, the SAT remains an important factor at numerous institutions, and a strong score can still enhance your application, expand scholarship opportunities, and strengthen your academic profile. The flexibility of test-optional policies empowers you to decide whether your scores reflect your abilities and should be included as part of your application strategy. Whether you are aiming to demonstrate academic readiness, strengthen your college list options, or simply want to keep all pathways open, participating in the SAT School Day is a valuable step. Please watch for an email in February with detailed instructions on how to register and prepare for test day. We encourage all juniors to take advantage of this convenient and accessible opportunity.

SAT/ACT Practice Opportunity from Revolution Prep:

Our friends at Revolution Prep are helping to prepare our students by offering a series of FREE practice exams. 

ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, December 6 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm PT | Proctored online via Zoom 

SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, December 6 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm PT | Proctored online via Zoom 

1.   Register here:  Valley Christian landing page

2.   Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here: www.revolutionprep.com/andrew-jensen

3.   Your scores will be available immediately upon completing the test! 

Register here: Valley Christian registration landing page

Questions? If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Andrew Jensen at (858) 900-9902 or by email at andrew.jensen@revolutionprep.com.