The Children’s Trust proudly supports Miami-Dade parents from the moment a child is born, throughout childhood and adolescence, all the way to the next chapter of their lives. For many, the first sentence of this next chapter is a successful application to college. According to Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights, “Spring 2026 post-secondary enrollment totaled 18.6 million students,” which is an increase of 192,000 students over spring 2025.
There is no stage of childhood that The Trust overlooks, from early learning and literacy to youth development and career readiness, to family and parent supports that help stabilize students long before they ever set foot on a college campus or begin their first job.
The results speak for themselves. "Since Miami-Dade voters overwhelmingly approved the establishment of The Children’s Trust as an ad-valorem property tax in 2002, graduation rates in Miami-Dade County have steadily increased, culminating in a record-high rate of 93.1% in 2025,” said Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College, in her Florida Politics article focusing on how The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade helps get students college and career-ready. Pumariega notes that more Miami-Dade students than ever are graduating high school, increasing demand for higher-education spots and the need for parents to better understand the requirements to help their children get there.
College Admissions Changes this Year
Staying up to date on college admissions changes may feel like a full-time job. Here’s a breakdown of how college admissions are changing this year, and what you’ll need to do differently.
● Standardized tests make a comeback (at elite schools). Students applying to one of the eight Ivy League schools in August 2027 will need to prepare for standardized tests again after many colleges pivoted to test-optional applications during COVID. According to a study entitled The ACT Predicts Academic Performance—But Why?, many factors indicate academic success, including personality traits and college readiness; however, mixed evidence supporting standardized tests has not deterred colleges from reinstating them. Be sure to check your child’s college choices to see whether admission requires standardized testing.
● Whole-person reviews are still essential. Despite a return to standardized tests at some establishments, presenting your child’s whole story is just as important as ever. Colleges want to know about a prospective student's interests beyond the classroom, from extracurricular involvement to leadership skills and motivations for further study. For help and guidance on college essays, check out organizations like College Essay Guy.
● Focus on accessibility. Many colleges are attempting to remove application barriers for students applying for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form has been updated and simplified. The Children’s Trust connects families to programs like the Youth Empowerment League, a nonprofit that provides students with postsecondary education planning, personal growth, scholarships, community leadership initiatives, and more.
● Responsible use of AI. Students are becoming experts in using AI, but colleges prefer to hear applicants' unique voices rather than AI-generated content. As discussed in our article, Back to School in the Age of AI, students should limit AI use to a maximum of 30% for college application projects, leaving the majority of creativity and research to them.
Final Thoughts on College Preparation
The best advice for parents helping children write the next chapter of their lives is to start early. Preparing for tests and building a portfolio of extracurricular activities, essays, and more can help prevent stress closer to application deadlines.
The Children’s Trust helps fund and support programs like Breakthrough Miami, a unique “students-teaching-students” model that builds a community of traditionally underrepresented 5th-12th grade students and supports their post-secondary success. Parents can also access a full list of college preparation programs (and more) using our program finder.