Academic Offerings

Mr. Shaundell Bradley
Specialist 2 (CCMR-South)
shaundell.bradley@houstonisd.org
713-495-6950 ext. 027176

Biography

I am a proud graduate of Alcorn State University where I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work. I am passionate about helping students achieve their post-secondary goals and look forward to making a positive impact on their educational journeys.

Naviance 

This is a great tool for all HISD students and parents to connect with their high school for college preparation. If you have not yet registered for Naviance, please send us an e-mail requesting a registration code. We use the Naviance system to send out updates on scholarships as well as upcoming events.
 https://student.naviance.com/hisd-chavez

Big Future

A user-friendly college search program supported by the CollegeBoard website. Students can log in to their CollegeBoard account and save their college searches! 
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search 

Apply Texas

Seniors will use the ApplyTexas website to apply for the majority of their colleges and universities in Texas. When one application to a college or university is completed, it can be easily copied to as many additional institutions as the student would like! 
https://www.collegeboard.org/

Common Application

Similar to the easy application process as ApplyTexas, the Common App is the typical application website for many private in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities.  
https://www.commonapp.org/Login 
 

SAT

Prepare for the SAT through daily practice questions as well as more information about the testing and scoring process. View the SAT testing schedule for the testing dates. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, see your College Adviser for a fee waiver. 
http://www.collegeboard.org 

ACT

Information about the ACT testing and scoring process. View the ACT testing schedule for the testing dates. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, see your College Adviser for a fee waiver.  
http://www.actstudent.org 
 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For students that are either U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. The FAFSA must be filled out before January 1st every year in order to qualify for priority consideration for financial aid awards.  Please be aware that www.fafsa.com is not the correct website to use as this website will charge you to fill out the application. The correct www.fafsa.ed.gov application is FREE.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov      

Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA)

The TASFA is meant to provide financial assistance for Texas students without a U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency. The link below will give you a better idea of which application you should fill out and how to find the TASFA in both English or Spanish.  Many students that qualify for the TASFA are also eligible to obtain a temporary two-year status and work permit.
http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?objectid=D465D848-EA0F-C0EA-5209BC8C89262877 
 

Naviance 

Use your Naviance account to obtain a list of scholarships shared with all HISD students. Under the college tab, scroll to the bottom and utilize either the scholarship list or national scholarship search links. 
https://connection.naviance.com/hisd-chavez

College Greenlight

Raise Me

Community Service is very important. Most college admission applications and scholarship applications will ask for who and for how long you volunteered your time to. Recommendation is 50 hours per year. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/volunteering-how-helping-others-helps-you

At Rice Summer Sessions, you will find courses in a wide variety of disciplines offered on online. Stay ahead and earn college credit with our online course offerings where you will have access to excellent teaching-the heart of a Rice education. 
 
Summer At Rice University

 

9th Grade

As a 9th grader, you have the opportunity to really build on your portfolio to prepare for college. The more participation in the following items, the stronger you'll look when it's time to apply for colleges.

• Talk to the 9th grade counselor about course selections. Try to take Pre-AP or challenging courses if possible!
• Join extracurricular activities and community service activities. Ask teachers to see if they know of any opportunities.
• Keep track of every activity that you participate in.
• Get to know teachers for the next four years. This will not only help you stay on track with your grades, but these teachers will be writing your recommendation letters your junior/senior years.
• Start researching different colleges. Check out our College Search page! 
• Start your scholarship search. Although it might be rare to find scholarships for freshmen, there are still several essay scholarships available. 
   

10th Grade

• Talk to the 10th grade counselor about course selections. Try to take Pre-AP, AP or challenging courses if possible!
• You'll be taking the PSAT for the first time in 10th grade. This one is just a practice test but take it seriously so that you'll be better prepared for the one your junior year. 
• Understand what your GPA is and how to continue improving your grades. 
• Join extracurricular activities and community service activities. Ask teachers to see if they know of any opportunities.
•  Keep track of every activity that you participate in.
• Get to know your teachers. This will not only help you stay on track with your grades but these teachers will be writing your recommendation letters your junior/senior years.
• Start researching different colleges. Check out our College Search page! 
• Start your scholarship search. Click on the Scholarships page. 
• Look for any summer opportunities. Colleges often have future student visit days. It's good to get a feel for how college campuses are. 

11th Grade

• Talk to the 11th grade counselor about course selections. Try to take AP, Dual Credit or IB, or challenging courses if possible!
• You will be taking the PSAT again this year but this time it counts. Colleges as well as the National Merit Scholarship organization will be notified of scores. 
• Attend college campus field trips. We usually have these posted on your Naviance account as they become available. 
• Maintain a high-grade point average. This is crucial! Even though your senior courses are still important, your junior year grades are pretty much the last chance you have before you begin your college applications and scholarships. 
• Join extracurricular activities and community service activities. Ask teachers to see if they know of any opportunities. Keep track of every activity that you participate in.
• Get to know your teachers. This will not only help you stay on track with your grades but these teachers will be writing your recommendation letters for scholarships, jobs, and other opportunities. 
• Start researching different colleges. Check out our College Search page! 
• Start your scholarship search. Click on the Scholarships page. 
• Look for any summer opportunities. Colleges often have future student visit days. It's good to get a feeling for how college campuses are. 
• Attend career and college fair days. Chavez High School will host our next college fair in October. We will post more information as the event approaches. 
• If you plan to play on a collegiate athletic team, begin the conversation with your coach. You can also check out the National Collegiate Athletic Association website.
• Register for the SAT and ACT if you wish to attend a four-year university. Every student that qualifies for free or reduced lunch can register for both exams twice at no cost (total of four college entrance exams). 
• Take AP tests for the AP courses that you're taking. If you receive a high enough score, you will receive college credit for that course and end up saving you plenty of money!
• Consider taking a summer course or looking for a summer job. Anything to help improve your resume or academics. 

12th Grade

This is going to be one of the most important checklists you'll ever come by. Make sure you complete every single one of these items to ensure that you are prepared and settled for your college education next year. 

August/September

• Finalize your essays for the ApplyTexas applications
• Finalize your essays for the CommonApp applications
• Meet with a college advisor
• Make a calendar of key application and financial aid deadlines
• Ask teachers, guidance counselors and other adults who know you for letters of recommendation for scholarships and admissions applications. 
• List all of your accomplishments (extracurricular, community service, awards, etc.) from the past four years and create a resume. 
• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if needed. Visit college websites to find out their minimum requirements for admissions. 
• Attend the Chavez High School college fair to meet with admissions representatives. Make sure you are on their mailing list.
• Apply for your colleges and universities. It's important to apply to several to open up your options, but if you apply to too many you'll just end up being overwhelmed and confused about missing items. Every college application will require the following (there may be additional items needed as well):
  • Completed college application
  • Application fee or fee waiver (fee waivers are available for students that qualify for free or reduced lunch, visit with your college adviser for more information)
  • Submit your SAT or ACT scores from the Collegeboard and ACT websites, respectively
  • High school transcript. These can be requested from the registrar's office during lunch or after school. Please allow two days before you pick them up. 

October/November

• Take the SAT and ACT
• Work on admissions applications
• Begin applying for available scholarships. 
• Follow up with the colleges and universities you have applied to in case they are missing any documents. 
• Gather Items needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.(FAFSA)

December

• Continue applying for scholarships.
• Continue following up with colleges and universities about missing documents.

January/February  

• This is also the time of the year when the bulk of scholarships will be available. Perfect your scholarship essays so it will make the application process easier! 
• Check your email and U.S. mailbox for acceptance letters

March

• Register for housing, meal plans, and/or new student orientation. Orientation is required of all students, regardless of the college or university you will be attending. 
• Receive your financial aid award letter from different institutions.  Accept or reject your awards. 
• Check your email and U.S. mailbox for acceptance letters

April

• Check your email and U.S. mailbox for acceptance letters
• Compare the financial aid packages
• Choose a school and send deposit by the deadline
• Check with the financial aid office to make sure your application is complete

May

• Write Thank You notes to the people who wrote you letters of recommendation, scholarship donors, and anyone else that help you along the way.
• Celebrate your high school graduation.