Cincinnatus Central School District

October is New York State College Application Month, and Cincinnatus seniors have been hard at work preparing to take their next step after graduation. To help students feel confident when submitting applications, the college readiness process began early this fall.

Beginning in September, seniors participated in classroom discussions through English classes on how to prepare for applications. Students were introduced to the different types of application platforms — including the Common App, the SUNY Application, and individual college portals — as well as the process for requesting letters of recommendation and preparing required materials.

Each senior also met individually with the School Counselor to discuss plans for after graduation, explore college options, and receive a personalized introduction to the Senior Google Classroom “To-Do List,” a curated hub of websites, deadlines, and planning tools to guide them through the year.

To build a college-going culture in the building, faculty and staff have been encouraged to wear college-themed attire on Fridays to spark conversations with students about postsecondary pathways and to share their own experiences in higher education.

The SUNY Free Application Week (October 20–November 3) gave students an added incentive to submit at least one application during that window. In a collaborative effort, Mrs. Closson, Mrs. Tankalavage, and Mrs. Pietrowski assisted Ms. Greeno in Mr. Fleet’s English classes to answer student questions and provide hands-on support with applications.

While many seniors are continuing to finalize and submit applications, 11 students have already completed and submitted all of their applications:

• Linette Custer
• Lucy Finch
• Penelope Gardner
• Payton Gerrard
• Andrea Gomez-Rivera
• Gabriela Gonzalez
• Ruby Metcalf
• David Peterson
• Draven Reynolds
• Lora Schroeder
• Grace Taylor

In addition to college-bound pathways, Cincinnatus is equally committed to supporting seniors who plan to enter the workforce, pursue trade apprenticeships, or enroll in technical programs after graduation. Staff provide guidance on résumé writing, union and trade opportunities, interview preparation, and connections with local employers to ensure every student — whether college-bound or career-bound — leaves with a clear and supported plan.

Cincinnatus Central School is proud of the initiative and effort shown by the Class of 2026 and will continue to support all seniors through financial aid season, career planning, and final decision-making in the months ahead.