Crown Roots Foundation
Your 4-Year Playbook
What you do in high school shapes what's possible after.
Here's how to play it right — starting now.
Here's how to play it right — starting now.
| 9th Build | 10th Explore | 11th Execute | 12th Launch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academics | Your GPA starts now and never resets. First impressions matter — build strong study habits from day one. | Add an AP or dual enrollment course if you're ready. Challenge yourself — colleges and programs notice. | Take the hardest courses available to you. Academic rigor shows commitment — it opens doors. | Stay focused. Colleges review your senior grades even after you're accepted. Don't coast. |
| Testing | Learn what the SAT and ACT are. Understand the format and timeline so nothing surprises you. | Take the PSAT in October. See where you stand. Decide: SAT or ACT — which plays to your strengths? | Take your SAT or ACT. Aim to finish testing by spring of junior year — before applications begin. | Retake if your score can improve. File your FAFSA as soon as it opens (Oct 1) — earlier = more money. |
| Get Involved | Try things. Clubs, sports, volunteering, community. Find what you actually care about — not what looks good. | Narrow it down. Commit to 2–3 things you're genuinely invested in. Depth beats breadth every time. | Take a leadership role. Captain, president, organizer. Let your story start to take shape. | Document everything — hours, roles, achievements. Your activity record tells colleges who you are. |
| Think Ahead | Job shadow. Find someone doing work you're curious about and ask to spend a day with them. Just start looking. | Research schools, trades, and programs. No limits yet — explore everything. You don't have to decide yet. | Visit campuses, programs, and job sites. Crown Roots can help fund this. See it in person — it changes everything. | Make your decision. National Decision Day: May 1. You've earned this moment. Commit and go. |
After High School — Your Options
- 4-Year University Traditional degree. Biggest investment, biggest doors opened. Crown Roots matches you to schools YOU can afford.
- Community College → Transfer Lower cost. Same destination. A smart, strategic path that works — especially if finances are tight.
- Trade / Vocational School In-demand skills, strong income, and a faster path into the workforce. Electricians, welders, and HVAC techs earn well.
- Military Training, education funding, and a career in one. Takes the ASVAB. ROTC can pay for college too.
- Apprenticeship / Workforce Earn while you learn. Real skills. Real pay from day one. Many trades are actively hiring young people.
What Crown Roots Does For You
- College Matching We match you to schools based on your GPA, income, and goals — schools where the money actually works for you.
- Scholarship Alerts Free money you don't pay back. We surface opportunities you'd never find on your own.
- Funded Campus Visits We cover travel, lodging, and meals. You meet with real departments — not just tour guides.
- Mentorship Connect with alumni who've done it — people who came from here and built something on the other side.
- Intake & Tracking We know where you started. We track your progress. We celebrate how far you've come — every year.