11th Grade Might Make or Break Your Student's College Admissions Results.

There are four years of high school. Only one truly determines how competitive your student's college applications will be: Junior year. This is the year colleges evaluate most closely. From Grades → Course rigor → Standardized testing → Leadership → College research → Building a balanced college list → Summer planning… Everything begins coming together now.

The challenge isn't that there are too many things to do. It's knowing what to do, when to do it, and what actually matters. Too many families spend junior year reacting to deadlines, relying on conflicting advice from social media, or hoping the school counselor has enough time to guide them. By the time they realize they've missed an opportunity, it's too late.

The 11th Grade Success System gives your family an expert roadmap so every decision is intentional, every deadline is anticipated, and every month moves your student closer to stronger college admissions outcomes.

Join Today →

Here's What You'll Receive

Everything Your 11th Grade Membership Includes
You Ask, We Answer. In 72 Hours or Less.

Junior year doesn't wait for scheduled appointments. Questions come up constantly.

  • Should my student retake the SAT?
  • How many AP classes are enough?
  • Is this extracurricular meaningful?
  • When should we visit colleges?
  • Should we apply test optional?

Instead of searching online or waiting weeks for your school counselor, simply ask us.

Members receive personalized answers to every question within 72 hours, giving your family trusted guidance exactly when you need it.

12 Monthly Lessons

Junior year is too important to leave to chance. Each month you'll receive practical guidance covering topics including:

  • Building the strongest academic profile possible
  • Standardized testing strategy and scheduling
  • College research that goes beyond rankings
  • Developing a balanced college list
  • Leadership and extracurricular positioning
  • Summer planning that strengthens applications
  • Preparing for senior year before it begins

Every lesson builds on the last, creating a complete admissions strategy instead of disconnected advice.

College List Builder™ Included

Choosing where to apply is one of the most important decisions your family will make. Our signature College List Builder™ program is designed to help families develop a balanced college list based on:

Cost
Location
Major
Career

A list built on strategy, not on prestige or guesswork.

Monthly Live Q&A Sessions

Every month, you'll have live access to our admissions expert to discuss the issues that matter most right now.

As deadlines approach and expectations increase, you'll always know what your next step should be.

Discounted Strategy Sessions

Need individualized guidance? Let's meet 1-on-1 for 60 minutes. Members receive discounted 1-on-1 Strategy Sessions whenever individualized, personalized support is needed, whether it's discussing testing, reviewing a college list, planning summer activities, or making difficult admissions decisions.

Personal Essay Starter Course

Most students wait until senior year to think about their college essay. That's one of the biggest mistakes they can make.

Your membership includes our How to Write an Awesome College Essay course so your student can begin brainstorming early, develop authentic stories, and avoid the stress of writing essays under deadline pressure.

When application season begins, they'll already be ahead.

Join the 11th Grade Success System Today →

$79 per month. Cancel anytime.

Is This Program Right for Your Family?

This program is designed for families who:

✔ Want expert personalized guidance through every stage of the application process with an experienced admissions 

✔ Want a clear month-by-month admissions strategy

✔ Want to maximize their student's competitiveness before applications begin

✔ Need guidance on standardized testing and timing

✔ Want help building a balanced, financially smart college list

✔ Want to reduce stress by knowing exactly what comes next

If your student is entering junior year, this is the support that can make the biggest difference in the admissions process.

 

How It Works

3 Steps to a Real Plan
1
Enroll

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

2
Your Content Unlocks Monthly

A new module opens on the 1st of each month for both of you, with a bonus resource around the 15th. Your first module goes live August 1, 2026.

3
Show Up and Get Support

Join the live monthly coaching calls 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 Success 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 11th Grade Success System
$79
per month, cancel anytime
  • Direct access to ask an expert your questions
  • Monthly modules for you and your student
  • Live monthly group coaching 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 Have Reached Peak Strategy.
9th Grade
Build the Foundation
10th Grade
Gain Momentum
You Are Here
11th Grade
Understand Peak Strategy
12th Grade
Finish with Success and Make the Best College Decision

Your Investment 

$79 per month

For 12 months of expert admissions guidance during the single most important year of high school.

When compared to the cost of making avoidable admissions mistakes, it's one of the smartest investments your family can make.

 

Monthly Subscription

$79

Best Value

  • 12 monthly student modules.
  • 12 separate parent modules.
  • Live monthly group coaching for students and parents.
  • Mid-month bonus resources.
  • Automatic continuation into the 12th Grade Peak Strategy System, no re-enrollment.

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

Join the 11th Grade Success System Today: $79/Month →

Frequently Asked Questions:

Don't Let Junior Year Become a Year of Missed Opportunities.

You only get one junior year. You can't go back and take a more rigorous class. You can't join activities after applications are submitted. You can't rewrite the timeline. But you can make informed decisions before they matter.

That's exactly what the 11th Grade Success System is designed to help you do. Your goal isn't simply getting into college. It's giving your student the strongest possible opportunities when admissions decisions arrive. Build a smarter strategy today so your student has more choices tomorrow.

Join the 11th Grade Success System Today