It’s finally springtime! Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, and students will soon be prepping for finals and looking forward to the end of the school year.
April is eventful, and a lot of students will be off to college in just six short months. Be sure they’re ready for everything on the horizon with our April College Planning Calendar. Happy planning!
General monthly planning
- 9th grade: It’s never too early for high schoolers to start thinking about college. Help younger students get a jump-start as the end of the school year approaches with our advice on How to Think About College as a High School Freshman.
- 10th grade: Keep sophomores on top of the scholarship search so they can rack up awards before they even start the college search. These scholarship eligibility strategies can help!
- 11th grade: Planning for the future is starting to get critical for juniors! Share our spring college planning checklist to help keep them on track for the fall and prepare for tours with these Top 3 Online Resources to Enhance Your Campus Visits.
- 12th grade: If your seniors still aren’t sure what they want to do this fall, encourage them to explore Our Best Advice on Making Your Final College Decision to help them figure it out.
Month-long observances and events
- Autism Awareness Month: Did you know that autism affects about one in every 36 children? Learn how to help students with autism prepare for college and encourage them to pursue services to ensure their success with Important Tips Autistic Students Need for Transitioning to College.
- Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Every day is an opportunity to avoid distracted driving. Students can promote driving safety and awareness this month with various distracted driving scholarship opportunities.
- Financial Literacy Month: Financial education is important but often overlooked in high school. Help students gain practical skills by sharing articles like A High School Starter Guide to Financial Responsibility.
- National Poetry Month: Do your students know they could win scholarships with their creative endeavors? Have them check out these awards for great poetry! Or if they’re trying to get a high AP test score, they can check out our Poetry Study Guide for AP English Language & Literature.
- National Volunteer Month: Now is the perfect opportunity for students to help others however they can. If they need some encouragement, try sharing these Important Reasons You Should Volunteer in High School and College.
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month: The sad fact is that sexual assault occurs on college campuses far too often—but it can also happen to younger students. Help keep everyone safe by educating about and discouraging harmful behaviors; sharing resources like 5 Smart Personal Safety Tips for High School and College Students; and encouraging students to speak up and seek help if they are a victim.
- Stress Awareness Month: Stress takes a major toll on all of us, both mentally and physically. Help your students deal with the hard stuff with all our stress management content.
Tuesday, April 1
New CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship contest opens
As usual, there’s a new easy scholarship contest from CollegeXpress this month! From April 1–30, two students will have a chance to win $500 this month with our Favorite TV Show Scholarship. Just create a free account (or log back in) and answer the question implied right in the name: What is your favorite TV show?
SAT prep start date
Experts recommend that students planning to take the SAT on August 23 start studying for the test this month to be prepared in time.
College Essay Guy webinars
Each month, the College Essay Guy (Ethan Sawyer) packs his calendar full of webinars and events on everything from personal statement writing to skill building to understanding college finances. Offerings on Tuesday the 1st include two sessions for counselors on How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement. Be sure to share and check out all his resources for counselors, parents, and students, and encourage those from low-income households to inquire about pay-what-you-can options.
Wednesday, April 2
World Autism Awareness Day
Today is a day to celebrate autistic individuals across the globe and raise awareness about the learning difference for those who don’t know about it. This year’s day of observance theme is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Thursday, April 3
Free SAT prep course
Kaplan is offering more free SAT prep classes in April. Students can sign up for the first Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class this month on Thursday the 3rd from 8:00–10:00 pm ET.
Friday, April 4
National School Librarian Day
Today honors the professionals who keep school libraries in order. Be sure to thank your librarians today and check out a book from one of our many recommendation blogs!
Saturday, April 5
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date for students across the country.
Start of National Wildlife Week
Sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation, this week-long celebration is dedicated to honoring and supporting the beauty and variety of America’s wild creatures.
- Amazing Scholarships and Grants for Animal Lovers: Do you know a student who’s interested in Veterinary Science, a rescue shelter volunteer, or just a big fan of animals? Then this list of scholarship opportunities is for them!
Sunday, April 6
National Student-Athlete Day
This day recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes, both academically and athletically. Give your school’s student-athletes some extra praise today!
- 4 Focused College Search Tips for Student-Athletes: The college search is a little different for student-athletes, so if they're thinking of playing sports in college, here's what they need to know.
Start of National Library Week
Sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1958, National Library Week honors the important role libraries and librarians play in our schools. Visit the ALA’s website to learn how to celebrate your library this week!
Free ACT prep course
Kaplan is also offering free prep classes for the ACT, with the first ACT Live Online Trial Class taking place on Sunday the 6th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.
Monday, April 7
World Health Day
Sponsored by the World Health Organization, this global awareness day promotes both mental and physical health, with the 2025 theme of “Healthy beginnings, hopeful future.”
Tuesday, April 8
Free SAT prep course
Students can sign up for another Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class on Tuesday the 8th from 7:00–9:00 pm ET.
Thursday, April 10
CLT test date
Initially developed in 2015, the Classical Learning Test is an alternative standardized test that assess reading, grammar, writing, and mathematics skills and is accepted at over 250 colleges and universities in the US and abroad. Students can take this exam on Thursday, April 10, with many other in-school test dates coming up this month.
CLT registration deadline
Today is also the registration deadline for the next CLT test date on May 10. This version of the exam is for 11th- and 12th-grade high school students and is comparable to the SAT and ACT.
Saturday, April 12
Passover
This Jewish holiday begins today at sundown, commemorating Jewish emancipation from slavery in Ancient Egypt. We wish a meaningful Passover to all who observe.
CLT accommodations deadline
Today is the deadline for students to request accommodations if they’re taking the CLT on May 10.
Sunday, April 13
Free scholarship and digital SAT webinar for parents
Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering his revamped free parents webinar on strategies to help teens win college scholarships and ace the digital SAT. The webinar will take place on Sunday the 13th at 5:00 pm ET. Be sure to share this opportunity with parents and students to help them learn about the online test format!
Tuesday, April 15
World Art Day
Encourage students to pursue their artistic passions and celebrate all things art on this day designated by the International Association of Art.
- Join These Art Clubs to Boost Your High School Résumé: If your students are planning to apply to art school, these high school clubs will beef up their résumés, strengthen applications, and impress future colleges.
Tax Day
Individual income tax returns are due to the US federal government today. Help your students learn about this ultimate financial task with our expert advice on What Is Important to Know About Taxes as a Student?
ACT scores released
Scores for the April 5 ACT test date will be released between now and May 30.
CLT10 test dates
Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are CLT10 test dates for 9th and 10th grade students. This version of the test is a college preparatory exam comparable to the PSAT.
Wednesday, April 16
CLT scores released
Today is the expected score release day for the April 10 CLT test date.
Friday, April 18
SAT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the May 3 SAT test date.
Sunday, April 20
Easter
This holiday in the Christian tradition honors Jesus’s rise from the dead. We hope those who celebrate have a wonderful day filled with family, community, and chocolate!
Monday, April 21
Patriots’ Day
This holiday is celebrated in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and some places in Florida to commemorate the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy—some of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. The city of Boston celebrates by holding the annual Boston Marathon every year. #BostonStrong
Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day
This annual event is dedicated to demonstrating support of environmental protection for our entire planet. Since it was first held in 1970, over one billion people in more than 193 countries have coordinated global events in honor of Earth Day.
Late SAT registration deadline
Today is the late registration deadline as well as the deadline for changes and cancellations for the May 3 SAT test date (additional fees apply).
Wednesday, April 23
Free ACT prep course
If students miss the first session this month, Kaplan is offering another ACT prep webinar on Wednesday the 23rd from 5:30–7:30 pm ET.
CLT10 scores released
Today is the expected score release day for the April 15 and 16 CLT10 test dates.
Sunday, April 27
Start of National Volunteer Week
This special week promotes service to others, but students also get the added benefit of boosting their résumés and college applications with volunteer experiences! Learn more with these helpful Answers to Your Questions About Volunteering and College Admission.
Wednesday, April 30
CollegeXpress Favorite TV Show Scholarship deadline
Today is the last chance to enter our Favorite TV Show Scholarship! Two lucky winners will win $500 just for telling us what their favorite TV show is. Create a free CX account (or log back in) to answer the question—it’s as simple as that for students to try and win more money for college!
If your students want to get ahead with standardized testing, they can find SAT, ACT, and CLT registration and test dates for the upcoming year on our Test Prep Date Wheel. Bookmark and share it with your network today!
