College & Career Homepage
Welcome to the Bartlett High School College and Career page! I am excited about working with you and your student on preparing for your child's post-secondary plans. Along with the BHS grade level counselors, I strive to help all students reach their short and long terms goals, while recognizing their full academic potential.
In an effort to keep stakeholders informed, I send out a weekly newsletter to senior parents. If you are not currently receiving this correspondence and would like to be added to the newsletter, which includes information about dates/deadlines, scholarships/financial aid, college planning, and upcoming events, please email me at jradford@bartlettschools.org. Be sure to include your child's name, as well as your own, in the email. Additionally, I send out a monthly junior parent newsletter beginning in the spring to assist our 11th grade families in preparing for senior year and beyond. You can also check the BHS calendar BHS Info/BHS Guidance Facebook pages for information regarding college recruiter visits, dates and deadlines, and other important meetings.
The best advice I can give parents and guardians is to allow your student to practice independence, responsibility, and time management. As parents/guardians, I know our first instinct is to do "the work" for your student, making sure it is done correctly and on time. Long term, this hinders students and stifles their personal growth. Once your student moves on to their post-secondary school/workplace, professors and employers will only communicate with their student/employee- not the parent. Allowing your student this time to make mistakes, grow, learn, and advocate for themselves is vital to success. I wholeheartedly encourage parent support (ex: going on college tours, reminding students of deadlines, contributing to the FAFSA), but under no circumstances should you be completing applications, writing essays, requesting recommendations, etc. on your student's behalf.
Mark your calendars for these important events during the 2025-2026 school year:
Friday, August 1st- Tennessee Promise last dollar scholarship application opens at www.tnpromise.gov
Thursday, August 7th- First day of school
Monday, September 15th- Memphis Area College Night, 6pm-8pm, Memphis Sports and Event Center; find more information at www.memphiscollegenight.com
Thursday, September 18th- BHS College and Career Night, 4pm-5:45pm
Thursday, September 25th- Parent/Teacher conferences, 2:30pm-5:30pm; Financial Aid Night in the BHS auditorium, 5pm-5:45pm
Friday, September 26th- Josten's information meeting regarding optional graduation supplies for students only
Friday, October 24th- Josten's optional graduation supplies ordering day during all lunches
Saturday, November 1st- Deadline to have senior portraits taken for the BHS yearbook; call Holland Studio for an appointment at 901-362-1818
Monday, November 3rd- Deadline to apply for Tennessee Promise at www.tnpromise.gov
Thursday, December 11th- Mandatory Tennessee Promise meeting for all applicants (students only!), 8:30am, BHS auditorium/cafeteria
Thursday, February 12th- Parent/teacher conferences, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Saturday, April 18th- Prom, 7pm-11pm, Renesant Center
Monday, May 4th- Graduation practice, 9am; graduation ceremony, 6pm- both at Bellevue Baptist Church
It will be imperative for students and parents to pay attention to newsletters, our Guidance department Facebook page, and the counselor webpages for updates, special events, and pertinent information to make this year successful.
You may contact me by email or at 901-373-2620 ext. 7016 with any questions or concerns. I will check email/voicemails periodically during the school day and typically return correspondence within two school days.
Jana Radford
College and Career Counselor
Bartlett High School
