College and Career Center
The College and Career Center provides information and support to students to help them plan for and achieve their post-graduation goals. It offers assistance with the college application process. It also provides opportunities to meet with representatives from colleges and universities; trade and apprenticeship programs; police and firefighter cadet programs; and other post-secondary opportunities. College and Career Center offerings during the school day are open to juniors and seniors with the permission of their teachers.
Latest Update
Get Ready for the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government. The FAFSA for students who will enter college in fall 2024 will open sometime in December 2023. Here are some things you can do now to get ready to fill out the FAFSA when it opens.
Sign up for an in-person or virtual information session
Join the DCPS College Prep & Persists team to learn about different types of financial aid, review your eligibility for financial aid, and create an FSA ID, which you will need to fill out the FAFSA (see more about this below). We’ll also discuss changes to the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Sign up for one of the FAFSA awareness events listed below by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/kDp83xnTpz
– Tuesday, November 28, between 5-8 pm at MLK Library (901 G St NW)
– Monday, December 4, between 5-7 pm at Anacostia Library (1800 Good Hope Rd SE)
– Wednesday, December 6th, between 7-8 pm via video call
Please email rachel.venator@k12.dc.gov with any questions.
Save the Date: FAFSA Completion Event at Tenley-Friendship Library
Tuesday, January 9, 5:45 pm-7:30 pm
More information and registration link to come.
Create Your FSA ID
Your FSA ID is the username and password that you will use to create your FAFSA account. The student and one parent will need to create FSA IDs. The parent who creates the FSA ID needs to be the parent who supports the student the most financially. To create your FSA IDs, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.”
Additional Recent Updates
Tuesday, November 14
- 12:00 pm, ASU Local, Washington, DC
Friday, November 17
- 11:15 am, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
- 2:15 pm, U.S. Air Force
College Readiness by Year
Seniors
What's Next for You?
We are here to help you apply to colleges, career schools and scholarships; find an apprenticeship; and more for your future.
Juniors
A big year!
Stay strong with your grades and involvement, and continue researching college and career possibilities.
Sophmores
Keep going
Continue focusing on academics and finding ways to be involved in your school and community.
Freshmen
Start off strong!
Check out our guidelines for your first year of high school.
Resources
Below is a list of the resources available to you and your student as you navigate the decisions to be made during high school. Each of these resources are listed in the grade-appropriate section as well, but are provided here as an overall reference.
Preparing for College
Preparing for College
Creating Your College List
Creating Your College List
creating your college list
creating your college list
Apply to College
Apply to College
Apply to College
Apply to College
Paying For College
Paying For College
Paying For College
Paying For College
Career Guidance
Career Guidance
Contact College and Career Coordinators
Elizabeth Levenson is in her 9th school year at Jackson-Reed High School. She has held several roles at Jackson-Reed, but the common thread among all of them is that she loves helping students. She was an English major at Cornell University, where she learned research and writing skills. She is excited to help students with their college and career search--likely the biggest research project they have worked on in their lives so far.
- Email address: elizabeth.levenson@k12.dc.gov
Zuogwi (Zuo) Reeves possesses nearly a decade of experience in the field of college and career access, where he has diligently served all high schools across the eight wards of Washington, DC. His previous role included facilitating the distribution of a substantial $30 million grant, generously provided over a span of six years by notable organizations such as the Gates Foundation, Ted Leonsis, and The Graham Family. An esteemed Winston Salem State University alumnus, Zuo further honed his expertise by obtaining a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from Howard University School of Divinity. His unwavering commitment lies in ensuring that marginalized communities are at the forefront of accessing essential resources to realize their aspirations and achieve their goals.
Email address: zuogwi.reeves@k12.dc.gov
All News & Events
Seniors: What’s Your First College Application Deadline?
At least thirty (30) days before your first application deadline, seniors must do the following: Complete your Student Brag Sheet and Parent Brag Sheet in Naviance to provide information for your counselor letter Request your transcripts using 1) the paper form and 2) in Naviance Request your teacher recommendations in Naviance See instructions for all…
Essay Mentor
Essay mentors will be in the College and Career Center tomorrow, Wednesday 10/18, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. Sign up in the College and Career Center, or just show up! We can help you brainstorm essay ideas, look at your draft, or help you with anything else you need. Can’t make it in person on Wednesday? The…
College & Career “Chat and Chew”
Get ready for an electrifying event coming your way! The College and Career Center, in collaboration with the dynamic 10th-grade team, is thrilled to announce the launch of “Chat and Chew” – your passport to a world of exciting career possibilities! Buckle up because on October 16th, we’re diving headfirst into the thrilling realm of…
Essay Mentors Available on Wednesdays
Attention seniors! Need help brainstorming what to write about in your college application essays? Or do you have a draft and want feedback? Essay mentors are available in-person in the College and Career Center on Wednesdays after school, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. Sign up in the College and Career Center or just show up! Essay mentors…
9th Grade College Tour & PSAT Information: 10/11 & 10/12
October 11th: 9th Grade College Tour We are excited to announce that our 9th-Grade College Tour will take place on Wednesday, October 11th. This event aims to introduce our high school students to the college experience. We want to emphasize to our students that attending this tour is a privilege, and we are grateful to…
College Fair and Info. Session: 10/12
October is College Awareness Month, and to celebrate, Jackson-Reed’s College and Career Coordinators, Ms. Levenson and Mr. Reeves, will be hosting two events on Thursday evening, October 12th. From 5:00-6:00 pm, in the College and Career Center, we invite all Spanish speaking families to join us for a general information session on the college process.…
“Telling Your Story” Workshop presented by Johns Hopkins Admissions Representatives
Wednesday, September 6, 6 pm-7 pm Savannah Miller and Courtney Delph, Johns Hopkins admissions officers, will offer an interactive virtual workshop with tips on college application essays and activities lists: “Learn how to use your experiences and passions to tell an authentic and cohesive story of who you are through the holistic admissions process.” Register…
Virtual Presentation: Applying to UK Colleges, Wednesday 9/13, 5:30-6:30 pm
Will Abraham, International Recruitment Officer for Goldsmiths, University of London, will present on schools in the UK and the UCAS application system. Targeted to 11th and 12th graders but all grades welcome. Teams link emailed in Sunday 9/3/23 eNews.
Virtual Essay Workshop, Monday July 31 – 5-6 pm
On July 31, Jackson-Reed essay mentor Julianne Ams and I presented a Virtual Essay Workshop. The agenda covered: essay brainstorming questions, getting feedback, an activities list exercise, and essay-writing resources. This meeting will be recorded and can be viewed here. You can also view the slide presentation here.
Hearst ES Annual Auction
The Hearst Elementary School PTA is looking for student volunteers to help with its annual auction on April 29 at Hearst (3850 37th Street NW WDC 20008). Volunteers will assist with auction set up, with the software that runs the silent auction and with auction clean up. Students may volunteer for shifts from 3:00 pm…