PREPARING FOR
A GUIDE FOR
Middle School Students
WHY DOES HIGH SCHOOL MATTER?
►Have fun
►Learn about things that
interest you
►Qualify for postsecondary
education
►Prepare for your career
dreams
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?
►Do your best in every class
►Join clubs and activities
►Take core courses each year
(Math, Science, English, Social
Studies)
►Take advanced courses
o World Language
o Algebra
o Honors courses
ELECTIVES HELP YOU PREPARE
►Develop a skill
(Band, orchestra, choir, art)
►Explore career interests
(Woodshop, metal shop, web
design, cooking)
►Prepare for high school
(Writing, environmental
science,
world language)
ACTIVITIES HELP YOU PREPARE
►It’s great to participate!
►Join at least one school
activity or team
►Clubs, sports, and
activities help you:
o Develop skills
o Show commitment
o Meet friends
PLAN AHEAD FOR HIGH SCHOOL
►In 8th grade, plan for 9th grade
courses
►Plan high school courses
based on your goals and
school requirements
►Plan what you will do after
graduation
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE?
►Earn high school credits
►Meet standard on state tests
►Prepare a High School &
Beyond Plan
►You will learn more about this
during 9th grade Registration
ADVANCED & DUAL CREDIT
►You can earn College credit
while you’re in high school
(there are more than 40
classes offered!)
►Take honors courses
►Take Advanced Placement
(AP)
►Take other qualified dualcredit classes
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
►Do your best in every class
►Take advanced and honors
classes
►Take electives and join
clubs to explore your
interests
►Get ready for high school!
High School & Beyond Plan
►Plan your classes and
experiences to help you get
the most out of high school.
►Figure out what kind of
training you need after high
school to get the job you want.
►Every year from 8th grade
through 12th grade you will
update your plan.
Washington Occupation Information
System (WOIS) Career Search
1) www.wois.org using Google Chrome
2) Site key (top right): CJR932 then click “Use WOIS”
3) Look under “Assessments” on the left side. Click on
“Career Interest Areas” and “Start Career Interest
Areas” then answer the 66 questions.
4) Click “Find my interest area.”
WOIS Continued
1) Click the word next to your highest number on the chart to see careers
that match your interests (Artistic, Conventional, Enterprising,
Investigative, Realistic, or Social). You might have multiple interest areas.
2) If you don’t see a career that interests you, trying going “Back” and
clicking the next highest area on the chart.
3) If you want to explore a career that’s not listed, click on “Occupations” on
the left side and try finding your career by alphabet.
Complete the Handout and Use this
Information for 9th grade Registration
1. What “Training” is required to do this career (listed
toward the bottom of the page)?
2. What are some “Helpful high school classes” you
might want to take?
3. How much money will you make (we’re in SeattleBellevue-Everett)?
Now, get a “Reality Check”
1) Go to “Assessments” on the left side, and then “Reality Check”
2) Click “Get a Reality Check” button in the center of the screen.
3) Choose “Seattle/Bellevue/Everett” under “Choose a City.” Then NEXT
4) Follow the prompts to choose your living expenses, using the NEXT arrow,
to find out how your living expenses compare to your career.
5) Does the Career you chose pay enough for you to live the way you want?
Do you want to research a different career?