Courtland Counseling
In This Issue:
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12: Upcoming Events
Grades 9, 10, and 11: Using Scores to Increase Scores: Maximizing Success on the SAT
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12: What are my student’s options if they are NOT going to a 4-Year College?
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12: Future Days
Upcoming Events
January 16: Holiday
January 17: Dual Enrollment Tuition Due ($75.00 per course), checks made payable to Courtland High School
January 21: SAT
January 23 through 26: 1st semester exams – early release at 11:15 a.m.
January 26: Parent Workshop: Understanding and Using PSAT Scores, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Massaponax High School (bring your student’s scores with you)
February 2: Report cards given to students
February 8: Parent Conference Night, 5:00 to 8:00 by appointment ONLY! Stay tuned for more info about how to sign up!
February 8: Rising Cougar Night 6 pm (rising 9th graders and their parents)
February 8: SCTC Open House 6 pm to 8 pm
February 10: Early Release at 11:15
Using Scores to Increase Scores: Maximizing Success on the SAT
Did you know that one of the top three considerations in college admission decisions is the student’s SAT and/or ACT scores?
Here are some suggestions for helping your student to do his or her best on the SAT:
- Create a College Board account at: www.collegeboard.org (both parents and students can create accounts). The College Board (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org) offers a wide variety of resources and information for both parents (parent action plans, AP information, financial aid information and tuition calculators, free webinars) and students (college search, choosing a college, campus life, scholarship search, tips for writing college application essays), and much, much more!
- Review your student’s PSAT and/or SAT scores and compare them to the range of scores your target colleges are looking for. Depending on the colleges your student is interested in, he/she may want to take the SAT again to earn higher scores.
- Before your student takes his/her next SAT, encourage your student to prepare with practice to strengthen weak academic areas. The Khan Academy offers a free SAT prep course (created in partnership with the College Board). After creating an account, students can link their PSAT or SAT scores from their College Board account to individualize this program.
- Take SAT practice tests (satpractice.org).
What are my student's options if they are not going to a 4-year college?
The first thing to know is that the ability to earn family-sustaining wages, and opportunities for advancement, increase with post-secondary education and training: “The more you learn; the more you earn.” Other than a 4-year college, there are several options for high school graduates to further learning and obtain training:
Community College: Community colleges offer Associate’s Degrees, but they also offer certificate programs which combine education and training and are usually one to two years in length. Germanna Community College offers many certificate programs including: Dental Assisting, Graphic Communications, Practical Nursing, Police Science, Accounting, Networking, Automotive Diagnostician and Technician, Engineering Technology, Horticulture, Legal Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and Surgical Scrub Nurse. Germanna Workforce offers courses and training in many fields including : Computers and Technology, Transportation and Motorcycle, Business Management, Manufacturing, and Construction. Click here for more information.
Apprenticeships: Combining education and training, apprenticeships allow high school graduates to learn job skills while earning a salary. After completion of an apprenticeship program, the apprentice earns a nationally recognized credential and is elevated to journeyworker status which leads to increased pay and upward career opportunities. Apprenticeships offered through Germanna Workforce include Masonry, HVAC, Electric and Welding. Visit Germanna's website for more information.
Job Corps: This education and training program is for students from low income families. Students can earn a high school diploma or GED and receive hands-on training in a wide variety of career technical areas (such as machine repair, homeland security, renewable resources and energy, retail, and sales). Industry certifications or state licenses can be earned upon program completion. For more information, click here.
Federal Careers Internship Program: This program is for current students (high school, college, or trade/tech) and offers paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while students complete their education. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Want more information? Click here.
AmeriCorps: This program engages high school graduates in service projects in a wide variety of settings within the United States. Full and part-time service opportunities are available. The commitment period is usually from 10 months to one year. A living allowance and health care are provided along with training in CPR, first aid, long-term disaster recovery, and possibly firefighting. Upon completion of one year of service, an Education Award (usually equal to a Pell Grant) is given the student to pay education costs at post-secondary institutions. Click here for more information.
Peace Corps: In the Peace Corps, high school graduates serve overseas. The minimum commitment period is two years plus three months of training. Compensation includes living allowance, medical and dental care, transportation to and from country of service, and a leaving benefit of about $9,000. For more information, click here.