College & Career Planning

RC College & Career Planning

Our Academic Counseling office is staffed by an experienced and dedicated team whose purpose is to support students' development academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

At RC, students are actively engaged in a comprehensive counseling curriculum throughout middle and high school. Some of the highlights of their experience include:

• Grades 10 and 11: Students take the PSAT to prepare for the SAT which is used for college admission. PSAT testing also is used as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
• Grades 11 and 12: ACT testing is offered on site at RC twice annually in the fall and spring.
• Dual Credit Opportunities: RC currently offers dual credit classes in Intro to Photoshop as well as Digital Design and Illustration, in collaboration with Rock Valley College. Additionally, we offer Advanced Literature for dual credit through Colorado Christian University; due to the nature of our curriculum, this class is considered at 200-level course by CCU.
• AP Courses: Designated as a Platinum AP School Honor Roll member, we offer an extensive portfolio of Advanced Placement classes to provide Royal Lions with the opportunity to earn college credits during their time at RC. Our students have been able to begin their post-secondary education as college sophomores.
• College & Career Readiness: At RC, students may take our elective course dedicated to helping students determine their best path for life after high school. Students develop abilities such as resume writing and job interview skills and are equipped with valuable life skills.
• College Fair: Our annual NACCAP College Fair brings over 50 national colleges to the Rockford Christian Upper School. Hundreds of students and parents participate each year to meet with admission representatives.
• College Visits: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are permitted three days per year for the purpose of visiting colleges of their choice. College visits include public, private, small and large schools and are integral to discovering the best fit for each student.
• On-Campus Admissions Visits: Each semester RC hosts a variety of college admission representatives for small group meetings, as well as large group informational talks.
• Alumni: Royal Lion graduates are great advocates and are our best source of college inspiration. We invite our alumni to come and share their college and post-college experiences.
• One-on-One Advising: Individual meetings with our academic counselors assist students to work through schedules, plan for graduation, and plan for college, including application and scholarship opportunities.

We are committed to helping students find the colleges and universities that best align with their individual objectives and strengths. Rockford Christian students use Naviance Family Connection to aid students in finding college and career pathways that are right for them. Through Naviance, students use a series of assessments to discover their:

• Personality Type via Myers Briggs Personality Test
• Learning Styles
• Career Interests
• Strengths

Results from these assessments will help students match their unique preferences and interests with college and career options. The Naviance platform assists students with the college application process, including requesting letters of recommendation and transcripts.