10th Grade Is the Quiet Year That Shapes Everything That Comes Next.

Many families assume sophomore year is a "break" between freshman adjustment and junior year pressure. It's not. This is the year your student builds momentum. Colleges begin to see whether they are challenging themselves academically, developing meaningful extracurricular involvement, and preparing for standardized testing. 

The decisions made now make junior year significantly less stressful and position your student for stronger college admissions outcomes. The 10th Grade High School to College Success System provides the structure, strategy, support, and expert guidance your family needs to stay ahead.

Join Today →

Here's What You'll Receive

Everything Your 10th Grade Membership Includes
You Ask, We Answer. In 72 Hours or Less.

Questions don't wait for scheduled meetings. As a member, you can submit questions specific to your student throughout the year and receive personalized answers from our admissions expert within 72 hours.

No guessing. No conflicting online advice. Just experienced, personalized guidance when you need it.

10 Monthly Lessons

Each month you'll receive step-by-step guidance covering topics such as:

  • Increasing academic rigor
  • Building meaningful extracurricular activities
  • Leadership development
  • Standardized testing strategy
  • Summer planning
  • Preparing for junior year
  • Creating a stronger college admissions profile

Everything is delivered in a clear roadmap so you always know what comes next.

College List Builder™ Included

Sophomore year is the perfect time to begin thinking strategically about colleges. As part of your membership, you'll receive College List Builder™, our signature program designed to help families develop a balanced college list based on:

Cost
Location
Major
Career

Rather than waiting until junior year, your family begins planning with purpose. Now.

Bi-Monthly Live Q&A Sessions

Join live sessions every other month where we answer your questions, discuss important sophomore-year milestones, and help families stay on track as expectations increase.

Discounted Strategy Sessions

Need individualized guidance? Let's meet 1-on-1 for 60 minutes. Members receive discounted private Strategy Sessions whenever additional one-on-one support would be helpful.

Join the 10th Grade Success System Today →

$59 per month. For 10 months. Cancel anytime.

Is This Program Right for Your Family?

This program is designed for families who:

  • Want to make sure sophomore year isn't wasted.
  • Want personalized guidance on choosing the right courses for 11th and 12th Grades.
  • Need help building stronger extracurricular involvement.
  • Want to begin developing a smart standardized testing strategy.
  • Prefer expert guidance over slow school counselor responses.

If that sounds like your family, you're in the right place.

How It Works

3 Steps to a Real Plan
1
Enroll

You enroll as the parent and get your own login and parent track. Your student automatically gets their own separate login and student track.

2
Your Content Unlocks Monthly

The 10th grade program runs across the full school year, August 2026 through May 2027. A new module opens on the 1st of each month, with a bonus resource around the 15th. Your first module goes live August 1, 2026.

3
Show Up and Get Support

Join the live bi-monthly Q&A sessions with Shereem, and email a college planning coach anytime with questions about your student.

Choose Your Path

The Right Level of Support for Your Family

From going it alone to real expert support every month, here is where the 10th Grade Momentum System fits.

Do It Yourself
Free
but you are on your own
  • No expert to ask when you are stuck
  • No system and no month-by-month plan
  • Piecing it together from conflicting advice online
What most families default to.
Recommended
The Foundation System
$59
per month, for 10 months, cancel anytime
  • Direct access to ask an expert your questions
  • Monthly modules for you and your student
  • Live Q&A Sessions with Shereem
Enroll Now →

About Strategic Admissions Advice

Strategic Admissions Advice was created to help families move through the college admissions process with clarity and confidence.
Led by author, admissions expert and father of teens, Shereem Herndon-Brown, Strategic Admissions Advice brings nearly two decades of experience guiding students and parents from high school planning through college acceptance. Shereem is a former school counselor, former English teacher, speaker, and author who understands the college process from every angle: the student's story, the parent's concern, the school's role, and the college's evaluation process.
 
His work is grounded in one belief: families deserve clear, timely, expert guidance before the process becomes overwhelming. Shereem is the co-author of Powerful College Admission Essays: A Guide to Telling Your Story, and his approach combines deep admissions knowledge with practical, parent and student friendly direction.
 

The 10th Grade Success System gives expert advice on:

  • How to strengthen academic habits before junior year
  • How to choose courses that build a competitive transcript
  • How to evaluate activities and develop meaningful leadership
  • How to begin discovering your student's authentic story
  • How to create a smart summer strategy
  • How to understand testing before junior year begins
  • How to prepare for college with confidence instead of last-minute stress.

Most families do not need more random advice. They need a roadmap. That is why this guide exists.

Most families enter junior year and say, "I wish we had started during sophomore year."

Featured In

NYT, Washington Post & Chicago Tribune

Published Author

on college admissions

Nearly 25 Years

as an educator

Georgetown

Former Admissions Officer

Former School Counselor

Testimonials

Real Families. Real Results.

We used Shereem's services to guide our three daughters through the college application process, and his expertise was absolutely invaluable.

Parent of Lehigh, Tulane & Vanderbilt students

What would we do without Shereem! He provided support every step of the way, from discussing compelling essay ideas to selecting the right schools and navigating the various portals.

Parent of Northwestern & Spelman students

Without their game changing guidance, we would have been lost. Now, my son has a list, an essay, and a plan. [He] is on his way to a fantastic university, with scholarships in hand!

Michael T. · Pomona College

The High School to College Success System

A Four-Year Journey. You Are Building Momentum.
9th Grade
Build the Foundation
You Are Here
10th Grade
Gain Momentum
11th Grade
Understand Peak Strategy
12th Grade
Finish with Success and Make the Best College Decision

Your Investment

$59 per month

For 10 months of expert guidance designed specifically for sophomore families.

One smart decision today can eliminate countless stressful decisions later.

Billed monthly. For 10 Months. Cancel anytime.

Monthly Subscription

$59

Best Value

  • 10 monthly student modules.
  • 10 separate parent modules.
  • Live Bi-monthly group coaching for students and parents.
  • Mid-month bonus resources.
  • The option to continue into the 11th Grade Success System when the year ends.

Join families starting their student's high school journey with a real system instead of guesswork.

Join the 10th Grade Success System Today: $59/Month →

Frequently Asked Questions:

Don't Let the

"Quiet Year" Slip Away

10th grade often gets overlooked. The families who use it wisely are the ones who enter junior year prepared, organized, and confident.

Give your student the structure, support and strategy they need before the pressure begins.

Join the 10th Grade Success System Today