Category: Beyond High School Graduation

Are High Schools Preparing Students for the Real World?

Beyond High School Graduation

Are High Schools Preparing Students for the Real World?

We polled our community of students, teachers, parents, and employers from across the country about whether high school is preparing students for success in the real world.

Three female students sitting in a grassy park discussing their transition from high school to college

Beyond High School Graduation

How Going to High School in the Pandemic Affected Us When We Got to College

When I started my first year at Vanderbilt University in the fall of 2021, I was both nervous and excited. I had just spent 15 months doing virtual learning because…

Do High Schools Prepare Students for Careers?

Beyond High School Graduation

Do High Schools Prepare Students for Careers?

We know that today's learners and high school graduates need to be well-prepared to enter the workforce. But do they have the skills and knowledge to pursue their passions? What should career-preparedness look like in a rapidly-changing, 21st-century context?

Are High Schools Preparing Students for the Future?

Beyond High School Graduation

Are High Schools Preparing Students for the Future?

High school is the last stop before students enter the real world of college, career, and adult life. It’s where adolescents are supposed to develop both academically and socially, so they’ll graduate prepared for all the future has to offer. But does it?

Want to Build Student Power? Just Ask Washington Leadership Academy

Beyond High School Graduation

Want to Build Student Power? Just Ask Washington Leadership Academy

High School senior De’Von is nothing if not confident. As he led visitors on a tour of Washington Leadership Academy (WLA)—an XQ school in Washington, D.C.—he proudly announced through…

Financial Literacy 5 Ways

Beyond High School Graduation

Financial Literacy 5 Ways

Are you talking to your students about money? This week, we’re exploring how high schools are—and aren’t!—teaching financial literacy.

Students Reflect on What It Means to Be the First Graduates of a High School Designed Just for Them

Beyond High School Graduation

Students Reflect on What It Means to Be the First Graduates of a High School Designed Just for Them

Círculos, an XQ school in Santa Ana, California, was designed for students with a community at the center. Four years later, the revolutionary school graduates its first class.

5 Ways to Celebrate Your Students

Beyond High School Graduation

5 Ways to Celebrate Your Students

This year calls for unique celebrations. In this week's Give Me Five, we’re sharing resources to support you as the year comes to an end, so you can finish strong and really celebrate your students.

High School Graduates: Preparing for Your Next Step

Beyond High School Graduation

High School Graduates: Preparing for Your Next Step

Here are some resources to address your most burning post-grad questions.

Life Kit: Resources for the High School Graduating Class of 2021

Beyond High School Graduation

Life Kit: Resources for the High School Graduating Class of 2021

Congratulations to the high school class of 2021! We’ve gathered resources to address your most burning post-grad questions, so you can graduate feeling confident and prepared for life after high school!

Smiling attractive asian woman talking to male colleague at work sharing office desk with desktops, friendly multiracial coworkers interns having pleasant fun conversation at workplace together

Beyond High School Graduation

How to Find the Right Career Path in High School

Finding a career is an intimidating task, especially for high school students. Here's a great place to start when creating your path.

5 Resources for College Planning During COVID-19

Beyond High School Graduation

5 Resources for College Planning During COVID-19

As college applications ramp up, this week we’re focusing on college admissions in the time of COVID-19.

How to Write a Powerful College Application Essay

Beyond High School Graduation

How to Write a Powerful College Application Essay

A comprehensive guide to writing and conquering the college admissions essay. Pro-tip: remember to be true to yourself.

Off-White Founder Virgil Abloh Interview on Education, Art, Culture, and Design

Beyond High School Graduation

Off-White Founder Virgil Abloh Interview on Education, Art, Culture, and Design

Roland Martin

Beyond High School Graduation

Roland Martin

Joe Nader

Beyond High School Graduation

Joe Nader

Jennifer Guarino

Beyond High School Graduation

Jennifer Guarino

Hill Harper

Beyond High School Graduation

Hill Harper

College & Career and Why It’s Important | Why XQ

Beyond High School Graduation

College & Career and Why It’s Important | Why XQ

A Guide on How to Pay for College

Beyond High School Graduation

A Guide on How to Pay for College

If you’re thinking about your future in college, one of your biggest questions is probably: How will I finance my education? Here's how.

Advice for College Freshmen: 10 Tips to Prepare for Remote Learning

Beyond High School Graduation

Advice for College Freshmen: 10 Tips to Prepare for Remote Learning

College freshmen in 2020 will undoubtedly experience one of the most unique college beginnings in history. Here are some tips to navigate remote learning.

How to Develop Leadership Skills as a Student (Advice From a College Student)

Beyond High School Graduation

How to Develop Leadership Skills as a Student (Advice From a College Student)

Being a student leader is a great way to help prepare for college and career. Here are a few tips to develop those skills in high school.

How to Find Internships in High School (Advice From a College Intern)

Beyond High School Graduation

How to Find Internships in High School (Advice From a College Intern)

The internship search doesn’t have to be intimidating. To help, we’re going to break down everything from networking to interviewing, and get you set up for success. There’s an abundance of challenging and exciting internships out there, you just need the right tools and resources to sort through them.

These 5 High School Grads Named Winners of #GraduateTogether Speaker Awards

Beyond High School Graduation

These 5 High School Grads Named Winners of #GraduateTogether Speaker Awards

Seniors from around the country submitted their speeches for the class of 2020. These 5 speeches moved us.

I Can Do That: What Does a Commercial Banker Do?

Beyond High School Graduation

I Can Do That: What Does a Commercial Banker Do?

We spoke with a commercial banker to learn about their career path and what it takes to succeed in the field. Find out how you can follow in their footsteps.

The Best #GraduateTogether Moments We All Want to Relive

Beyond High School Graduation

The Best #GraduateTogether Moments We All Want to Relive

We celebrated the high school class of 2020 during our prime time special #GraduateTogether. Here are our favorite moments.

I Can Do That: How to Start a Career in Poetry

Beyond High School Graduation

I Can Do That: How to Start a Career in Poetry

We met a poetry teacher who shared his path to his career today. Find out how you can follow in his footsteps.

I can do that: What does a venture capitalist do?

Beyond High School Graduation

I can do that: What does a venture capitalist do?

We spoke with a venture capitalist to learn about their career path and how to succeed in the field. Find out how you can follow in their footsteps.

How design thinking in high school set this student up for college success

Beyond High School Graduation

How design thinking in high school set this student up for college success

This student shares how the design thinking process helps her engage deeply in her own learning.

Student Success in College Starts in High School

Beyond High School Graduation

Student Success in College Starts in High School

This high school in Tennessee developed a course to help prepare their students for success in college before they even arrive. This is how they’re getting it done.

I Can Do That: What Does an Industrial Designer Do?

Beyond High School Graduation

I Can Do That: What Does an Industrial Designer Do?

We spoke with an industrial designer to learn about their career path and what it takes to thrive in the field. Find out what it takes and how to design your future.

I Can Do That! The Computer Science Edition

Beyond High School Graduation

I Can Do That! The Computer Science Edition

We spoke to a web developer to learn about her journey and what it takes to succeed in the field. Find out how she did it and how to build your future.

Tips on Writing a College Application Essay

Beyond High School Graduation

Tips on Writing a College Application Essay

College essays are always a daunting tasks for students and their families. Here are a couple tips to help you through the process.

How schools can clear the path to college

Beyond High School Graduation

How schools can clear the path to college

High schools can take steps to make the transition to college smoother so students have a higher chance of attending a school and choosing a field of study that works for them. Here's how.

FAFSA: Everything you need to know to apply for federal student financial aid

Beyond High School Graduation

FAFSA: Everything you need to know to apply for federal student financial aid

Everything you need to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (aka the FAFSA). Don't leave money on the table.

Can video games inspire an entrepreneurial mindset?

Beyond High School Graduation

Can video games inspire an entrepreneurial mindset?

Many tech CEOs claim video games as their initial inspiration with computer programming. But is there any research connecting the two? Find out.

How to get the most out of student internships

Beyond High School Graduation

How to get the most out of student internships

Internships are a great way to give students real-world experience and prepare them for life after high school. Here's what two schools are doing differently to help students get the most out the experience.

Nervous about student loans? You’re not the only one

Beyond High School Graduation

Nervous about student loans? You’re not the only one

The student loan crisis is on everyone's mind, and it's making many students anxious. Find out why.

Help! My kid wants to go to college and I have no money

Beyond High School Graduation

Help! My kid wants to go to college and I have no money

Wondering how you're going to help your student pay for college? You're not alone. Here is a place to start when asking the daunting question.

Student loan debt is a national crisis: Is there anything we can do about it?

Beyond High School Graduation

Student loan debt is a national crisis: Is there anything we can do about it?

People all across the country have asked us questions on student loans. From solutions, to bright-spots, to is the debt even worth it — you asked, we answered.

Is Design Thinking The Key to Workforce Development?

Beyond High School Graduation

Is Design Thinking The Key to Workforce Development?

These students at a school in Indiana are learning through design thinking. Here's how they do it.

Reflections from the XQ Class of ‘19

Beyond High School Graduation

Reflections from the XQ Class of ‘19

Seniors across the country are reflecting on their high school experience as the class of 2019 is graduating. We asked some of our XQ students to share their reflections.

From The Classroom to The ‘Real World’

Beyond High School Graduation

From The Classroom to The ‘Real World’

Washington Leadership Academy and Summit Public Schools share how student internships can build interpersonal skills and career exposure. See how.

Beyond the Diploma

Beyond High School Graduation

Beyond the Diploma

See how these students from Iowa take project-based learning into college and their future careers.

How mentoring kids changed my life

Beyond High School Graduation

How mentoring kids changed my life

Mentors can impact kids' lives. This high school student is trying to make a difference in his local community by mentoring young people.

Become a Member

Join our community where teachers, students, school leaders, and families can learn, engage, and lean on each other for support.

Join Now

Our Mission

We created Rethink Together 
to help high school students, educators, 
and families find and share resources.

Learn More about XQ