Campus Life

College Counseling

College Readiness Program

Chinquapin Prep takes a very hands-on approach in the college readiness process. Our program begins the moment students step foot on campus. Starting in middle school, class advisors and school leaders begin talking to students about college and college planning. We stress the importance of academic success, community service and giving back: Quid Pro Quo.
In high school, we invite and take students to college fairs in Houston and surrounding areas. Colleges and universities nationwide visit campus to visit with our students and to promote their individual programs and financial aid opportunities.

Moreover, Chinquapin Prep carefully plans a college readiness schedule so students are on track for ACT and SAT college entrance exams. When students are juniors, they work on building résumés, college lists, and college essays. Also, our students are thoughtfully paired with teachers who serve as college advisors.

As seniors, our students take a college readiness seminar class where the college counselor guides students through the entire college application process. The college counselor works with students individually, helping with recommendation letters, phone calls, mailing/emailing materials out to schools, reminding students of deadlines, and supporting students every way possible. During fall semester, students have dedicated time to fully focus on completing and submitting college applications. Seniors shift their focus to financial aid and scholarship applications during the spring semester. The entire faculty celebrate students’ college acceptances!!

Freshmen
  1. Take a practice PSAT
  2. Attend college admissions presentations
Sophomores
  1. Take the PSAT in the fall
  2. Take an SAT Prep Course in the spring to prepare students for the 11th-grade fall PSAT
  3. Attend college admissions presentations
  4. Take 1st SAT during summer
Juniors
  1. Take the PSAT in the fall
  2. Advantage Testing tutoring every two weeks for ACT and/or SAT
  3. Take 2nd SAT during winter
  4. Spring semester
    1. Juniors write their college lists, where they name several “reach” schools, “good chance” schools, and “safety net” schools
    2. Juniors begin working on their student résumés. They use a résumé format that is easily transferrable to the Common Application and Apply Texas platforms
    3. Juniors are matched with a teacher advisor who will be their main point of contact for essay revisions and letters of recommendation.
  5. Entrance Exams options for Juniors to consider:
    1. If the student performed well on the SAT, then they can consider taking an SAT II Subject Test
    2. If the student did not perform as well they would have liked then they may try taking the ACT
    3. If the student scored somewhere in the “middle,” then s/he can choose to retake the ACT or SAT
Seniors
  1. Take a seminar course, where students dedicate time to fill out applications, ask the Director of College Counseling questions, make phone calls, obtain transcripts, etc.
  2. Apply to fly-in programs
  3. Attend college admissions presentations
  4. Entrance Exam options for Seniors to consider:
    1. If the student performed well on the SAT and SAT IIs, then s/he can try to retake either
    2. If the student performed well on SAT/ACT, and s/he has not taken SAT IIs, then s/he may take SAT IIs if colleges require
    3. If the student wishes to improve either the SAT or ACT, then s/he may retake either
Parents
  1. Parent Education Program
    1. Parents meet once a month on campus
    2. Director of College Counseling presents various topics, including the college admissions process, financial aid issues, what our College Readiness program offers, etc.
Faculty
  1. Most faculty members are involved in the college admissions process by serving as an advisor to one or two students
  2. Teachers serve as general advisors, recommendation letter writers, and essay revisers
  3. Teachers also help students with finding scholarships and other relevant opportunities according to student interests

College Representatives

We are excited to have you come to Chinquapin Prep to tell students about your college! We encourage high school students of all ages to attend, but particularly juniors and seniors. The best time for college visits is Monday through Thursday from 2:50 to 3:40 PM, when high school students have electives and study hall. Other times that can be arranged are lunch, 12:00-12:50, and the seniors’ seminar period, 12:55-1:45.

Admission Counselors

Admission counselors can now go to CounselorCommunity.com to schedule an appointment with our high school.

Please let our Director of College Counseling know if these days and times don’t work for you, and we will do our best to make special accommodations.

Please note our campus is located about thirty minutes east of downtown Houston.

Chinquapin Prep College Counseling Outline

8th and 9th Grade
  1. Take PSAT 8/9 in March
  2. Included on Summer Programs emails
10th Grade
  1. Take PSAT in October
  2. Advantage Testing 2nd semester
  3. Included on Summer Programs emails
11th Grade
  1. Take PSAT for National Merit qualification in October
  2. Advantage Testing
  3. SAT/ACT Prep twice a week – class time also includes:
    1. 1st Semester – Introduction to Naviance
    2. 3rd Quarter – Summer Programs, scholarships, resume
    3. 4th Quarter – Common App + ApplyTexas essays, faculty college advisors, teacher recommendation letters, Posse nominations
  4. Students are expected to have at least one ACT or SAT score by their senior year
12th Grade
  1. Advantage Testing 1st Semester
  2. Senior Seminar twice a week – class time includes:
    1. 1st Quarter – finalize college lists, essays, go over financial aid and ED/EA deadlines, Posse, Questbridge
    2. 2nd Quarter – submit ED/EA applications, submit FAFSA, submit CSS profile, begin school specific scholarships and regular applications
    3. 3rd Quarter – continue working on scholarships, begin financial aid appeal process
    4. 4th Quarter – continue financial aid appeals, create college finances spreadsheet, meet to discuss options once they have a clearer picture
Naviance - college counseling software for students, teachers, and college counselors
  1. Students
    1. College research tools
    2. Career research tools
    3. Keep track of all applications and whether or not I’ve sent their materials
    4. Access to Scholarship database
    5. Teachers
    6. Can track recommendation requests and send letters directly to the institution
    7. Can check-in on college advisee’s progress
  2. Counselors
    1. Track student application process
    2. Track teacher recommendation progress
    3. Advise students using application data from previous years
    4. Central location to compile and send application materials to colleges electronically or by mail
    5. Communicate with students through announcements on their Naviance page
    6. Links with National Student Clearinghouse to track student college outcomes
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Chinquapin Prep is accredited by TAAPS

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2615 E. Wallisville Rd.
Highlands, TX 77562

(281) 426-5551

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Chinquapin Preparatory School does not discriminate in admissions, hiring or firing of faculty/staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services against any individual on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (gender expression), marital status, age, disability, race, color, national or ethnic origin (ancestry), military status, or religion (creed) in any of its activities or operations in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Chinquapin is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our Board, faculty/staff, students/families, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and donors. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. Chinquapin Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of sex in education programs and/or activities, admissions, or employment. Any member of the Chinquapin community should promptly report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or violence.