Class of 2028 Students and Parents

December 2025

LEAF is a nonprofit that partners with your high school, providing career, education, and financial aid advisory services to help you plan for your next steps after graduation. Our services are free to students and families within the schools we serve. Discover how LEAF can help you plan for your future at leaf-ohio.org.

Connect to your High School's LEAF Advisor

UPCOMING VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR SOPHOMORES

LEAF's Virtual Information Sessions cover all phases of postsecondary planning. Sessions take place on Google Meet on select Mondays. They are free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Visit LEAF's website for the complete listing of 2025-26 Virtual Information Sessions. Here are two sessions scheduled in the months ahead:

9th & 10th Grade Gear Up For Your Future

February 9, 2026 (6:30-7:30 pm)

Learn how to prepare for your next steps after high school, get the most out of your high school experience, and find a good fit for your future. Geared towards current freshmen, sophomores, and their families wanting to be proactive about their postsecondary planning.

College Athletics & Recruiting

March 16, 2026 (6:30-7:30 pm)

Interested in continuing your athletic career in college? Unsure if you are good enough to play or at what level (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and more)? A panel of local college coaches and administrators will discuss college athletics, recruitment, the NCAA Eligibility Center, athletic scholarships, and more.

Pre-register for a Virtual Information Session

Did you miss our December 8 session, Navigating Free Tools for ACT/SAT Preparation? Click here for access to the session recording and here for the presentation slides. Your high school's LEAF Advisor can get you connected to recordings and handouts from any of our 2025-26 sessions you may have missed.

CAREER EXPLORATION

As you plan for your future after high school, start with career exploration. Here are four steps to get you started:

Learn more

POSTSECONDARY PATHWAYS

Your career goals will drive your post-high school plans. Some careers have a set pathway, while others have multiple options for entry into the field.

Knowing your postsecondary options, along with the entry requirements for each, will help you make the most of your high school experience as you take advantage of learning opportunities that will prepare you for your future.

Learn more

ACADEMIC OPTIONS

Sophomore year is a time to investigate academic options for high schoolers like College Credit Plus (CCP), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, honors courses, and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Depending upon your career path, these options can provide a fast-track to career or college readiness. College admission offices pay close attention to the rigor of an applicant's high school course load, specifically looking for CCP, AP, and honors class success.

Learn more

SOPHOMORE YEAR TIMELINE

Sophomores shouldn't wait until senior year to put their postsecondary plans in motion.

Taking proactive steps now will ensure you are on track to meet college admission and scholarship application deadlines next fall.

Learn more

Check out LEAF's Scholarship Search for a number of scholarship opportunities open to high school sophomores with early 2026 deadlines.

FINAL THOUGHTS

LEAF is a free resource for students and families within the schools we serve. We are ready to assist you with all of your post-high school planning needs. Advisors are available to meet at your school, virtually, or at our Resource Center located on the Lakeland Community College campus in Kirtland.

Visit leaf-ohio.org to learn more about how LEAF can help you plan for your future.

Connect to your high school's LEAF Advisor

2025-26 SPONSORS

Thank you to our 2025-26 University Partners, Lakeland Community College and Ursuline College, and to all of our 2025-26 sponsors for supporting LEAF's important work.

Auburn Career Center

Cardinal Credit Union

The Harriet B. Storrs Fund at the Cleveland Foundation

Lake Erie College

The Sherwin-Williams Foundation

Swagelok Foundation

Western Reserve Junior Service League