January 2026 Checklists

Starting the semester anew.

Welcome to the new year! We hope you’re returning from winter break feeling refreshed and ready to dive into the semester ahead.

January sets the tone for the rest of the academic year. Below, you’ll find tailored checklists for each grade level—along with guidance for parents—to help you stay organized, proactive, and confident as spring and summer planning begins.

At a glance… 

Upcoming ACT deadlines:

• 1/9 registration deadline for 2/14 test (no ACT in January)

• 2/14 test

• 3/6 registration deadline for 4/11 test (no ACT in March)

• 4/11 test

Upcoming SAT deadlines:

• 2/27 registration deadline for 3/14 test (no SAT in January nor February)

• 3/14 test

• 4/17 registration deadline for 5/2 test (no SAT in April)

• 5/2 test

Critical topics:

• Setting up for a semester ahead

• Making a preliminary college list

• Planning college visits

• Researching and applying for summer programs

9th Graders

If you’re a freshman, your focus this month should be:

• Recommit to academic routines. January is a reset—tighten your organization systems, adjust study habits, and set realistic goals to keep grades strong as coursework becomes more demanding.

• Explore what excites you. Use what you learned last semester to decide which clubs, teams, or creative pursuits genuinely energize you—and which ones you may be ready to move on from.

• Think intentionally about involvement. As new opportunities appear this semester, consider how you want to show up in your school community, whether by joining a club, taking initiative, or planting seeds for a future leadership role.

Parents of 9th Graders

• Review the first semester together. Look at grades, teacher feedback, and overall adjustment to high school to identify strengths to build on and areas that may need added structure or support.

• Encourage curiosity over credentials. Ask open-ended questions about what your student enjoyed—or didn’t—last semester, and use those insights to guide activities that feel meaningful rather than résumé-driven.

• Introduce college as inspiration, not pressure. A campus visit, lecture, performance, or athletic event can help your student visualize the long-term payoff of their hard work without making college feel urgent or overwhelming.