College Planning
College planning is a four-year process at Kinnelon High School, and our School Counseling Department is here to guide students and families every step of the way. From freshman year through senior year, counselors work closely with students on academic planning, career exploration, extracurricular involvement, testing timelines, and the college application process.
Each year builds intentionally on the last:
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Freshman Year focuses on establishing strong academic habits, building involvement, creating a four-year plan, and beginning early career and college exploration
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Sophomore Year emphasizes maintaining academic performance, exploring interests more deeply, beginning standardized test preparation, and planning for a rigorous junior schedule
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Junior Year is a critical planning year, including SAT/ACT testing, researching and visiting colleges, requesting letters of recommendation, and preparing for senior year applications
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Senior Year centers on finalizing college lists, completing applications, submitting transcripts, sending test scores, and filing financial aid forms such as FAFSA and CSS Profile
To make this process clear and manageable, please visit the dedicated class pages for:
Each class page contains a detailed checklist outlining recommended steps for that year, along with important announcements, presentations (such as Parent Nights and College Fairs), testing information, and key deadlines.
We encourage families to regularly follow their student’s class page for updates and to use the checklist as a living document throughout the year. As always, students and families are welcome to reach out directly to their assigned school counselor with any questions.