Top Tips for Washingtonian Parents of High School Students

Summer is a natural time for high school parents to help their children find opportunities to improve their skills and get ready for college. An overwhelming majority (94%) of U.S. parents with a child age 17 or younger say they expect their child to attend college. That drive for higher education is likely even higher and more intense in Washington, D.C., the nation’s most educated city.

In fact, parental concerns about the importance of college programs that prepare students for jobs appear to grow as children get closer to college age.

Experts in the Washington area offer these top tips for parents and high school students wondering what to do this summer:

1.) UNIQUE SUMMER PROGRAMS CAN BUILD CAREERS
If a young person wants to be, say, a lawyer, there are nontraditional ways to encourage this interest. Aleta Margolis, founder of Center for Inspired Teaching in D.C., says she has seen students, including her own kids, succeed with programs that push them outside of their comfort zones. “For students who might be interested in law or debating or English, a performing arts camp can not only strengthen their confidence and public speaking skills, it can also build skills like collaboration, empathy and critical thinking. These skills not only benefit students, but also appeal to college admissions officers and prospective employers.”

2.) THERE ARE STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE
Summer program leaders say registrations go through a well-known cycle — from early signers to last-minute joiners. Even though summer is right around the corner, many programs still have some slots available, although the most popular weeks are nearly booked. Scholarships may be available as well.

3.) CALCULATE ALL THE EXPENSES TO GET A TRUE SENSE OF THE COST
Programs sometimes hide the extra costs for transportation, food and other fees until very late in the registration process. These can add up and leave a parent with sticker shock. Parents should understand up front what the real cost of the experience will be so they are comparing apples to apples.

4.) WHAT DO PROGRAM ALUMNI SAY?
Look for profiles and testimonials from students who have attended programs in the past. Traveling Players Ensemble, a professional theatre company dedicated to “bringing great theatre into the great outdoors,” provides easy-to-find details about campers’ experiences and how they fueled their professional goals. Rachel Dorn attended the Northern Virginia program for many years and now works as a software developer. “Traveling Players helped me understand the importance of working as a team, and the value of being organized and made me a more confident public speaker. My goal was never to become a full-time actress,” she says.