Class of 2026

July–August

• Take summer school classes if you need to catch up on credits to graduate
• Gear up for senior year and remember grades matter!
• Complete your 20 hours of community service/job shadowing.  Refer to NTHS College and Career Center Website for ideas and forms.

September–November

• Set up an appointment to meet with your counselor to go over your Graduation Plan. 
• Narrow down your decision for what to do after high school.
• If you are attending college, work with a parent or guardian to fill out the FAFSA for financial aid at www.fafsa.gov.  
• Attend College and Career Fairs—both North Thurston Public Schools' and local offerings.
• Register to take AP exams if enrolled in AP classes and/or College in the High School (CIH) classes. Refer to teachers for steps and deadlines.
• Graduation Deadlines: check your email, refer to the NTHS website for senior pictures, ordering your cap and gown, purchasing an annual, etc. 

December

• Begin to finalize your post high school plan. What are you doing after high school?  What steps do you still need to take?
• 20 Community Service hours are due soon!

January

• Keep your grades up!  The semester ends next month. 
• Check the status of your FAFSA. 
• Check to make sure all fines/fees are paid.

February

• Start the new semester off strong!  You are half-way there. 

March

• Community Service Hours are due.  Submit your forms to the Counseling Center. 
• Attend your Student-Led Conference to present your High School & Beyond. This is required for graduation. 

April

• If applicable, retake Smarter Balance Assessment, ASVAB or other Graduation Pathway requirements. 
• Attend Graduation Marching Practices.  These are required.  Check your email or refer to the NTHS Webpage for dates, times, and locations. 
• All fees and fines are due in May.  Your graduation tickets will be withheld until these are paid.  See Mrs. Enlow at the ASB window.

May

• Make sure you have met all high school diploma requirements! Consult with teachers/counselors, if needed. 
• Attend Graduation Marching Practices, these are required. 
• Fees and fines are due—see Mrs. Enlow at the ASB office. 

June

• Graduation!!! 

Summer

• If you took AP exams or Tech Prep classes in high school and earned college credit, work with your college to get the credit included on your college transcript. 
   

Summer

Review the college application requirements at each college you are applying to. Search for the “admissions” page on college websites. Create a list of colleges you wish to apply to and include application due dates. Prioritize your time. Your senior year is busy—especially with college applications.

Become familiar with the college(s) you wish to attend: If possible, complete a college tour on campus or complete a virtual visit via the college’s website. Once school starts, attend specific College Admission Representative visits hosted by our College and Career Center.  

First Semester

Complete your applications. Visit each college’s website for their process. Note deadlines! Read carefully. Each college can have a different application process. Follow all steps.

Common App: IF a teacher recommendation is required: Speak directly with the teacher you are requesting a letter of recommendation from, preferably in person. Make sure you speak with him/her at least two (2) weeks in advance and provide them with your completed Recommendation Questionnaire OR whichever documentation they prefer. Download a Senior Recommendation Form.

Common App: IF a counselor recommendation OR a “Secondary School Report” (part of the Common App.) is required: Make an appointment with your school counselor at least two (2) weeks prior to your Common App due date and provide them with your completed Senior Recommendation Form

Sending Common App Request: Send to the correct staff email on the NTHS website’s staff directory. Do not send Common App requests to STU emails. Refer to staff emails on the NTHS Website.  See the Staff Directory.

Set up your Parchment account for ordering online transcripts. See the NTHS Parchment page to get started.

Pay your application fee or follow the college's process for a fee waiver. 

SAT/ACT scores are not required by most colleges/universities. If your college/university requires test scores, register through the specific SAT or ACT websites. Fee waivers are available from your counselor if needed. 

Financial Aid & Scholarships:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA starting in October. Many Scholarships will need this information. Washington Student Achievement Council is a great resource for financial aid.
• Scholarship Applications: Search for scholarships on the NTHS College and Career Center Website Scholarship List  
• Scholarships specific to the college you attend—check the school’s website to see how to apply for these specific scholarships.

Second Semester

Community College/Technical/Trade School: Applications typically open in late March or April.  Go directly to the college website and follow the application process.

Mid-year reports: Check to see if you need to submit mid-year reports. 

Request Final Transcripts. In June, students will complete an Exit Form. This will include where you want your final transcripts sent. Include your final college choice.