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Why Start in 11th Grade?
If you're starting college prep in 11th grade, the window is narrow but there is still a lot we can accomplish. Our primary work is college research, list building, and beginning our writing curriculum.
Common Questions
We often hear these types of questions from parents of 11th graders:
- What do you mean we’re behind if we start in 11th grade?
- What can we realistically still change or improve?
- Can I get in to my top schools?
- How do we turn what my child has done into a compelling story?
- What would a sports recruitment path look like for my child?
What Our 11th-Grade Students Are Doing
Here is what to expect as a parent when you enroll your child in the 11th grade:
- Talent, Interests & Self-Discovery: We run an accelerated assessment of your child's aptitudes, personality, and EQ to confirm we're on the right track. For students without a clear direction, this gives us the insights we need to identify the strongest possible path forward.
- Specialization Refinement: Deepen mastery in a chosen interest area with measurable results.
- Community Impact & Project Work: The goal now is measurable results and examples of true leadership, not just titles. We identify what we can complete before applications are due, and for students without meaningful community impact, we find the best opportunity based on their existing experiences and interests.
- Independent Study & Personal Projects: By 11th grade, your child should have a deep stack of evidence related to their intended majors. We audit what they have, identify any gaps, and make sure their projects and independent studies are impressive enough to stand out against other applicants.
- Course Selection & Summer Planning: Course selection decisions are largely set, but junior summer is critical. This is the year for formal internships, hands-on experiences, and work that directly feeds your essays and demonstrates real-world impact. We have one last shot at continued academic rigor for the fall of senior year.
- Networking & Mentorship Development: We deepen existing mentor relationships and leverage your child's network for junior summer internships, shadowing, and work opportunities. By the end of 11th grade, letters of recommendation should be secured.
- Sports & Athletic Recruitment: Junior year is when recruiting gets real. Coaches can now reach out directly, official and unofficial visits begin, and every interaction is effectively a behavioral interview. We help your child finalize their target school list, sharpen their athlete brand, and build the stories that will anchor their personal and supplemental essays.
- Family Check-Ins & Support: Junior year is the most stressful year of this process for most families. Join us at key check-ins so we can be honest with you about where things stand, what is still within reach, and how to channel your energy in the right direction. Our job is to make sure you feel clear-headed and focused, not overwhelmed.
Deliverables and Results
By the end of 11th grade, we should have the following:
- Finalized College List with Clear Strategy
- Personal Statement Drafted
- Supplemental Essays Identified
- Letters of Recommendation Secured
- Junior Summer Internship or Meaningful Work Experience Planned
- Community Impact with Measurable Results
- Athlete Brand and Recruiting Narrative Developed
Long-Term Roadmap
See our roadmap for your child's learning
What does this cost?
View Pricing
This program has up to 12 flexible sessions with Kate Stone Prep
See Pricing Options
Book a Consultation Call
Ready to take the next step, book a consultation call with our team
Fall Semester
Academics / In-School
Maintain strong grades with strategic tutoring
Continue adding rigor (Honors/AP as appropriate)
Stay committed to clubs, sports, and academic activities
Prep for PSAT/SAT/ACT as needed
Community Impact
Continue long-term community impact project(s)
Identify what you’ll pursue during school year and breaks
Step into leadership roles within your community initiative
Building Stacks of Evidence
Book-a-Month reading continues
Pursue awards and competitions aligned with your potential major
Continue or start advanced independent studies
Deepen special projects; gather measurable results
Begin building relationships with schools of interest (demonstrated interest)
Networking
Meet regularly with Board of Advisors
Conduct informational interviews related to academic interests
Start networking with potential summer mentors
Deepen connections with teachers (future recommenders)
College Admissions
Start researching colleges seriously
Visit colleges in person or virtually
Begin practice essay prompts
Learn ED/EA/RD strategy basics
Start building (not finalizing) your college list
⭐ Deadline: Dec 15 — College List 80% Done
What does this cost?
View Pricing
This program has up to 12 flexible sessions with Kate Stone Prep
See Pricing Options
Book a consultation call
Ready to take the next step book a consultation call with our team
Schedule Free Consultation
Winter Break
Academics / In-School
Precision tutoring for mid-year success
Reset academic + executive functioning systems
Community Impact
Mini winter community impact project
Clarify leadership plans for spring and summer
Building Stacks of Evidence
Short special project
Formal Independent Study
Read 1 interest-related book
Continue competition or research program participation
Networking
Winter meeting with Board of Advisors
Send gifts/thank-you notes to mentors (from Website Edits)
Begin meeting people related to summer plans
College Admissions
Continue school research & visit planning
Begin brainstorming personal statement themes
Draft early essay outlines (optional)
What does this cost?
View Pricing
This program has up to 12 flexible sessions with Kate Stone Prep
See Pricing Options
Book a consultation call
Ready to take the next step book a consultation call with our team
Schedule Free Consultation
Spring Semester
Academics / In-School
Maintain grades during the toughest academic semester
Complete test prep (SAT/ACT) and take exams
Possibly sit for AP exams inside or outside of school
Community Impact
Continue impact work and plan handoff of leadership to younger peers over the summer
Grow responsibilities in your initiative
Line up summer leadership or impact roles
Building Stacks of Evidence
Begin formal summer independent study planning
Continue deep projects, possibly add new ones
Read 1–2 books in areas of academic interest
Participate in selective programs if accepted
Networking
Meet with Board of Advisors
Reach out to summer internship contacts
Engage with teachers for letters of recommendation
College Admissions
Visit colleges
Begin researching schools and academic programs
Request teacher recommendations
Finalize preliminary college list
Begin creating the Activities List
Attend college fairs & information sessions
What does this cost?
View Pricing
This program has up to 12 flexible sessions with Kate Stone Prep
See Pricing Options
Book a consultation call
Ready to take the next step book a consultation call with our team
Schedule Free Consultation
Summer Semester
Academics / In-School (Summer Learning)
2–3 formal independent studies (courses, certifications, research programs)
Continue learning related to intended major
Community Impact
Begin handing off leadership to younger students
Continue impact project with measurable results
Step into a major leadership role or launch a major initiative
Building Stacks of Evidence
Complete Personal Project
Participate in selective summer programs (research, academic, pre-college)
Strengthen portfolio with tangible outputs
Prepare “evidence” for applications (links, photos, documents)
Networking
Shadowing, interviewing, interning
Build strong mentor relationships you’ll use for essays
Meetings with Board of Advisors about college list strategy
College Admissions
June: Start master supplemental essays
July/Aug: Adapt essays for specific schools
Finalize college list research
Begin building your application strategy (ED/EA/RD)
What does this cost?
View Pricing
This program has up to 12 flexible sessions with Kate Stone Prep
See Pricing Options
Book a consultation call
Ready to take the next step book a consultation call with our team
Schedule Free Consultation
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