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College, Career, and Military Readiness

Advantage Academy is dedicated to preparing its students for what comes after high school. To help students and their families understand what it takes to become college, career and/or military ready, Advantage Academy provides the necessary support and resources that students need. This includes information on college admission, financial aid, and exam preparation as well as career guidance and military information. Advantage Academy is committed to building a strong college, career, and military readiness culture. Advantage Academy provides students in all grades college, career, and military readiness guidance through a rigorous curriculum and building a strong foundation in reading and math. Advantage Academy’s College, Career, and Military Readiness support includes resources and tools available to students and their parents to assist students for successful post-secondary options. 

Advantage Academy Requirements

In the fall of their graduating year, all Advantage Academy seniors are required to participate in one of the following college/career readiness activities.

College Assessment Requirements

To ensure that all students are prepared and meet all requirements for college entrance, Advantage Academy students are required to participate in college readiness assessments. The District Guidance Counselor will inform students of the appropriate exam/assessment and scheduled testing dates. Testing fees may be applicable for College Readiness Assessments/Testing requirements. The required College Readiness Assessments are:

Grade 8 - NWEA MAP Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science, PSAT (Pre SAT)

Grade 9 - NWEA MAP Reading, Language Arts, Math and TSI

Grade 10 - PSAT/NMQST or TSIA2 

Grade 11 - PSAT/NMQST, ACT or SAT, or TSIA2

Grade 12 - ACT or SAT, or TSIA2

  • College-Bound seniors should apply for admission to at least 2 colleges or universities.
  • Seniors planning to pursue a career in the military should complete the ASVAB and speak with a recruiter of their choice.
  • Seniors who plan to go straight into the workforce after graduation should complete a career/interest inventory and submit at least one job application.
     

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Most colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must also take an assessment test, such as the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2). Students are encouraged to talk with school staff to determine the appropriate exam to take.

The ACT is a two hour and fifty-five minute test without the optional essay. The test measures achievement in English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section yields a score of 1-36. Your total or composite score is an average of all 4 sections. The optional Writing section uses a scale of 2-12 and does not count toward your final score. Click here for more information about the ACT test and scoring.

The SAT is a three-hour test without the optional essay. The SAT includes the following three subject areas: a Reading test; a Writing and Language test; and a Math test. Students receive two section scores ranging from between 200-800 points each. The first section is the Reading and Writing/Language tests and the second section is the Math test. The total score is the sum of the two section scores with a score range of 400-1600. The optional essay uses a scale of 2-8. Click here for more information about the SAT test and scoring. 

The TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) evaluates a student’s readiness for college-level courses in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. The program also helps determine what type of course or intervention will best meet the student’s needs and will assist students in becoming better prepared for college-level coursework. Each institution sets their own passing standards for the exam and establishes policies and procedures for students to follow after testing is complete.

*The following exemption scores are general guidelines for TSIA2 exemption only. Students should check with the college or university that they plan to attend for specific exemption information.

ACT – A composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and Mathematics tests; or

SAT – A minimum of 480 on both the Evidence Based Reading and Writing Sections; A minimum score of 530 on the Mathematics Section (no combined score needed).