Successfully navigating the path to college requires both preparation for college academics and practical knowledge of the college entry process. For students who face challenges in either or both of these areas, the guidance and support they receive in high school plays a major role in their postsecondary access and success. High schools can improve long-term post secondary outcomes by preparing students academically for the rigors of college-level work, establishing a process to regularly assess and intervene to keep students on track for college, building a community of supportive adults and peers who foster college aspirations, and offering students and families assistance in the college entry process from choosing the right school to securing financial aid.

To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do.