Why Academic Performance in Secondary School Still Shapes Long-Term Career Outcomes

Kids care about grades. Adults not so much.

Until it's too late.

Here's the reality…

Secondary school matters a lot more than most families realize. Performance during those years determines eligibility for college, career paths, and potential lifetime earnings.

Here's what the data says:

Everything about the cost of college education vs return on investment is decided long before students step foot on campus. While college degrees have skyrocketed in cost over the last decade, understanding the value of a college degree begins far earlier than application season

Secondary school academic performance matters.

Let's break down exactly why grades open (or close) doors throughout education and career.

What You'll Discover:

• Does Secondary School Performance Really Matter?

• How Grades Determine College Eligibility

• The Cost of College Education and How It Starts Before Application Season

• How Much Lower Grades Cost Students Over Their Career

• How to Improve Secondary School Academic Performance

 

Does Secondary School Performance Really Matter?

Yes.

Student success in secondary school has a direct correlation to achievement after graduation. Secondary grades open doors to continued education while poor performance can slam them shut.

Here are just a couple of ways academic performance in secondary school matters.

Lower Grades Limit College Options

Academic performance in secondary school is a predictor of college completion. Students who excel in secondary school are far more likely to graduate with a four-year degree and make more money by their 30s than kids who underperform.

Students who attended schools with higher testing rates were 6 percentage points more likely to graduate college and earned 13% more by age 30.

Attending classes and earning strong grades in secondary school sets students up for success long after high school graduation.

Skills Learned in Secondary School Translate to the Workplace

Do grades actually prepare students for the workforce? While many kids receive low grades and still grow up to be successful, strong academic performance in secondary school shows.

Students who excelled in secondary school learned behaviors and mindsets that stuck with them through college and into their careers.

If kids are already struggling, it's not too late to build the right study habits.

 

How Grades Determine College Eligibility

Colleges want students who will succeed.

If GPA, test scores, and course selection from secondary school are lacking, some colleges will consider a student a risk and deny admission. Students who thrive in high school have more options for college than kids who lack strong academic foundations.

Here are the ways higher grades improve chances at getting into college.

More Grades = More Choices

Students with stronger secondary academic records have their pick of schools. Higher grades increase chances at getting accepted to the college of choice and perhaps opening more financial doors.

Not only do students with higher GPAs have access to more colleges, they also qualify for more scholarship opportunities.

Don't have the money for college?

Strong grades can mean the difference between a student graduating college debt-free or struggling to pay off student loans for decades.

The Real Cost of College Education Begins Before Senior Year

Secondary grades determine how much students pay to attend college.

It's true.

Students who earn high marks in high school will probably see a significant return on that success once they start filling out college applications. Scholarship opportunities, both private and through the colleges themselves, reward students for their hard work.

Here's something many families are thinking…

The money isn't there to pay for college.

If paying for college is a challenge, poor performance in high school isn't going to help lower those prices.

Apply for scholarships today and start your path to a degree!

Students who perform well in secondary school are also more likely to qualify for merit-based financial aid from colleges. Before filling out FAFSA, making sure a student has the grades to access the most money back is essential.

Investing in a child's education beginning in secondary school will pay off when April rolls around.

 

How Much Lower Grades Cost Students Over Their Career

College degrees used to be a guarantee.

If landing a white-collar job was the goal, earning a degree was the path. Now, entry-level jobs expect prospective employees to have graduated college.

Many of these jobs won't even consider an application without a bachelor's degree.

Here's how much more money students who graduate college earn over their lifetime:

College graduates make significantly more money than high school graduates — approximately $86,300 vs. $47,065 annually.

College graduates enjoy lower unemployment

Unemployment is 77.3% higher for high school graduates than bachelor's degree holders.

College graduates also enjoy higher job mobility and earn an 80% earnings premium over high school graduates.

Earning potential after graduation isn't the only thing affected by a student's decision to hit the books in high school. Skills learned in secondary school translate to the workplace.

Students who earn high marks are showing up to class, putting in the work, and challenging themselves with harder classes. All of these skills follow students throughout their life and career.

For students who don't graduate college, lack of preparation in high school hurts them down the road.

 

How to Improve Secondary School Academic Performance

Many students coast through their first year of secondary education. For students who haven't found a rhythm, grades begin to slip as teachers increase difficulty.

According to researchers, there are four key things that help students excel in school.

• Teach self-efficacy and resilience -- Students who believe they can do well in school actually do better than students who don't believe in themselves.

• Stress the importance of attendance -- Students who show up to school every day earn better grades than students who skip class regularly.

• Encourage rigorous course selection -- Students who take harder classes do better in college and are more prepared for the workforce.

• Build high but supportive academic expectations at home -- Studies have shown that when parents set academic expectations for their children, performance rose.

All four of these factors can be improved with enough time and dedication.

If many of these things aren't yet in place, there's still time to improve performance before it's too late.

 

College Isn't Just About Grades Anymore

Secondary school grades still matter.

Failing grades in high school limit college options, making it harder to get the education needed to afford higher education. Colleges expect students to earn high marks in secondary school before they'll award scholarships and admit students.

Understanding how students can improve their performance before it's too late can mean the difference between wasting thousands of dollars on college or sending a student off with a degree that'll pay for itself.

College isn't cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank.

Use these tips to help improve performance and get a head start on college.