For some teens, high school may not seem important or relevant, but the high school years go by quickly.

Students who want to be successful in college have to make the best of their high school years.

Junior Katie Lee said, “When I was a child, my mother taught me that hard work pays off. Ever since, I have put school as one of my main priorities.”

Students need to know that grades do matter. They can help students get into good colleges.

Junior Ashley Barley said, “I care a lot about my grades because I want to do well in college. I want to study at Portland University and to be accepted. I need a decently high GPA.”

Although some teens believe that school lessons discourage their ability to think, classes are structured to give students the tools to become critical thinkers. College classes often build on high school classes.

Alumna Charisse Pudiquet said, “ By doing well throughout my high school years, my first semester of college was not as critical. Since I took both Chemistry and Advanced Chemistry at Sacred Hearts, I had an easier time in my Chemistry class this past semester.”

Another reason why students should take school seriously is that education is not inexpensive. The tuition at the Academy is about $12 thousand a year. Money does not come easily especially in this current economy.

Research conducted in France has proven that students who express a love of learning leads to real academic achievement.

Sophomore Ye Eun Lee said, “I always try to maintain a positive attitude towards school and by doing so, I end up doing better than people who hate school.”