"Mia Johnsen Prof. White ENG `101 5 June 2026 College Preparation in High School “Schools should not hide the ball from parents, or kids” (Petrilli). So many students are told that graduating sets them up for the next big step that is college, but that simply is not the truth, and for many that realization does not hit until they are already nose-deep in college courses. High school students can pass their classes and get their diplomas just fine, all while not having a clue what college expectations really look like. Students getting through high school does not mean they were properly equipped with the tools needed to handle college. High schools need to do more than just get students to graduation, they need to develope independence along the way. "