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The Top Five Ways High Schools Should Prepare Students for College
College readiness is more than academic achievement—it's about independence, resilience, and developing life skills. When exploring high schools, look for programs that focus not only on academic excellence but also on essential life skills. Here are five key areas where high schools can make a meaningful difference in preparing your student for college (and beyond):
1. Help Students Develop Strong Time Management and Executive Function Skills
Look for a school that intentionally teaches students how to manage their time, prioritize tasks, and stay organized. This can include structured support like planners, digital tools, and regular check-ins with advisors.
“Middle and high school are the ideal time to master time management and executive function skills,” says Kathleen Martin, Director of College Counseling at Wilmington Friends School. “Adolescence is the perfect time to make mistakes and learn from them.”
When students practice managing their schedules—balancing academics, extracurriculars, and downtime—they gain confidence in their ability to handle the demands of college life.
2. Promote Self-Advocacy and Independent Learning
In college, students must take responsibility for their learning, from communicating with professors to seeking out support when needed. A strong high school program should encourage students to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for themselves.
At WFS, students are encouraged to build these habits early. “Students need to learn how to manage their time, take notes, utilize academic supports, and ‘adult,’” Martin says. That includes everything from booking appointments to managing academic plans.
3. Prioritize Transferable Skills Over Rote Memorization
High schools that go beyond test prep and focus on real-world skills—like critical thinking, research, collaboration, and communication—set students up for long-term success.
“Our goal is to prepare students in a wide variety of ways so they can succeed in their next academic experience,” says J.R. Neiswender, Upper School Head at Wilmington Friends. “That means not only working on content areas, but also on transferable skills.”
These kinds of abilities serve students well regardless of what or where they study next.
4. Provide Opportunities for Goal-Setting and Self-Reflection
Look for schools that help students set personal and academic goals—and then guide them in reflecting on their progress. Advisory programs, student-led conferences, or personal learning plans are great tools for building this mindset.
At WFS, students develop the ability to set short- and long-term goals and regularly assess how they’re doing. This process helps them stay motivated, develop resilience, and adapt when things don’t go as planned.
5. Foster Practical Life Skills That Build Confidence
It might sound basic, but learning how to do laundry, cook simple meals, and navigate adult tasks like using a calendar or managing a budget are essential for college life. The best high schools don’t just focus on academics—they help students build life skills and confidence.
WFS incorporates these real-world lessons alongside classroom learning. As Martin notes, these experiences foster independence and ensure students are ready to thrive.
How WFS Brings It All Together
At Wilmington Friends School, preparing students for college means preparing them for life. Through a combination of strong academics, intentional skill-building, and a deep commitment to the whole student, WFS graduates leave with the tools they need to succeed—wherever they go next.
As Neiswender says, “We want our graduates to feel equipped to take on challenges we haven’t even considered yet. They will be able to do so because they have the confidence and experience gained through their WFS upper school courses.”
Please Note: Our news items are grouped by calendar year.
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Preschool - 12th Grade
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
