In 2010, the Obama administration launched the Let’s Move! campaign and a task force on childhood obesity to bring awareness to unhealthy patterns of eating and sedentary lifestyles. Since then, schools have provided healthier food choices, started growing fruits and… read more
Teens
Common App Essay Prompts Released
The 2025-2026 Common App Essay Prompts Are Out! Attention rising high-school seniors! The 2025-2026 Common App Essay Prompts have been released. While the prompts haven’t changed since the 2024-2025 school year, there are some changes to the “Additional Information” section… read more
Is My Kid Abusing His ADHD Medication?
More children and teens are being prescribed stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin, to improve focus and enhance academic progress. Unfortunately, with the rise in prescriptions comes also the rise in abuse. According to the American Association of Poison Control’s… read more
Is Handwriting Still Important?
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone? Some may answer, “never,” while others begin to reflect on days long ago. Our reliance on phones, tablets and computers fundamentally changed how we communicate with others. Yet many… read more
How Do You Talk to Your Teen About Depression?
Warning: The following content talks about depression, suicidal thoughts, teenage suicide and the importance of talking to your teen about depression. Imagine getting a phone call from the high school guidance counselor, informing you that your son or daughter was… read more
Vaping: An Adolescent Health Scare
Vaping — a national health concern sweeping America’s youth. For years, the allure of flavored e-cigarettes and the misconception that they are a safer alternative to traditional smoking have contributed to a surge in popularity among teenagers. This has left… read more
Hitting the Brakes: Why Less Teens are Getting Their Licenses
There are few moments that ignite a sense of freedom and excitement quite like your first time driving alone as a teen with your license. That initial journey from your childhood driveway marked a commencement into the (somewhat) liberated world… read more
Getting Your Teen Involved in Volunteering
Giving back to the community is a valuable skill to teach kids. Volunteerism is so important that some high schools require a minimum number of hours to graduate. In addition, colleges and scholarship programs consider a student’s volunteer hours in… read more
The CLT: A New SAT and ACT Alternative
Standardized testing is often an alphabet soup — ELA, FSA, EOC, you name it. But the most infamous standardized tests are the SAT and ACT college entrance exams. However, there is a new test that is establishing itself as a… read more
Free College Tours with ACPS!
If it’s time for your child to start thinking about college, you’re in luck. The Alachua County Public Schools College Tour Initiative will allow your child to explore eight of the top colleges and universities in Florida for free! If… read more