IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BRUSH UP ON STUDY STRATEGIES THAT CAN ASSIST IN YOUR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

In the second half of the year, you should schedule another meeting with your counselor to talk about scheudling for your sophomore year. Make sure that you are aware of the graduation requirements for your school.

If summer school is needed, find out where and when you can take these courses.

Other than that...be proactive in your classes and keep things in perspective. Using an agenda for homework and activites will help you stay on task with all that goes on during year #1. GOOD LUCK!!

SOPHOMORE YEAR: The sophomore year is a very busy year for students in the State of Massachusetts. Sophomores will be taking the English and Math MCAS tests and possibly even the PSAT's. It is very important to sit down with your guidance counselor to talk over any academic concerns and to begin looking at career options. All sophomore students will take the MassCIS Career Interest Inventory during their sophomore year and will participate in a regional career fair in the spring.

This is another year for you to branch off from academics and participate in as many extra-curricular activities as possible...these will help mold you into a well-rounded student and always looks good on your student data sheet for colleges.

It is very important that all students are preparing to fulfill all SHS graduation requirements.

Toward the beginning of the second semester you should also meet with your counselor again to ready yourself for course selection for the all-important junior year.

All sophomores will take the MCAS test in ELA, Math, and possibly science beginning in late March. These tests are to be taken very seriously, as they are a portion of your graduation requirements from high school.

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR WORK...USE YOUR AGENDA BOOKLET FOR HOMEWORK AND ACTIVITIES. GOOD LUCK FOR A VERY SUCCESSFUL SOPHOMORE YEAR!!

JUNIOR YEAR: The junior year is a very important year for students. Students should focus on the college search process with their counselors, parents/guardians, and by themselves. Students that do not plan on attending a 2 or 4 year college should also be looking into other post-graduate training schools, military, or other such vocations.

Students should put an early focus on taking the necessary tests such as PSAT's, SAT's, and ACT's. We encourage each junior to take the SAT twice during the junior year (May and June) and possibly the ACT test in June. The ACT is offered at limited locations within the State of Massachusetts, while the SAT's are offered very close by.

Junior students should also gather information on various colleges by visiting college representatives, college fairs, using computer resources as well as college booklets and other information available in the Guidance Office. Meeting with your counsleor in the beginning of the school year is a must to ask any questions that you have and to make sure that you are on track to take all necessary required courses.

Later in the school year juniors should be in the process of completing a resume, making a data sheet with your school activities, and speaking to teachers about college recomendations. Most students are required to have two teacher recomendations as well as one from their guidance counselor.

Juniors should also be focusing attention on developing a strong college admission essay. Some information on the college essay is available at www.essayedge.com or other self-help websites. All junior students should schedule an appointment to see their guidance counselor again in the second half of the year to schedule senior year classes and to check in and have any questions answered.

Junior students will also take part in the History MCAS test (if applicable from the DESE) in late May.

Best of luck for a very successfull year!!

SENIOR YEAR: Ahhhh, the senior year!! This is it...you are almost done. The senior year can be a very rewarding year for many students. Right away, students who are preparing to continue their education after high school should be fillng out recommendation request forms and handing them to their teachers and counselors. It is important to give these people a good three to four weeks to complete a recommendation. It is also a good idea to meet with your counselor in the first month of school to make sure that your schedule is correct and that all graduation requirements will be met.

Students should also register to take the SAT/SAT II (Subject Tests)or ACT tests.

The college essay is a very important piece of the puzzle. Start working on these and have them checked over by your parents/guardians and/or teachers.

You and your parent/guardian should start to familiarize yourselves with the Financial Aid process. All senior parents ae invited to take part in our Financial Aid Night, sponsored by MEFA. This is usually done in the month of October or early November. There are many helpful websites out there that revolve around the finacial aid process...such as the FAFSA or Fastweb websites.

If applicable, file the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse forms online if you will be participating in Division I, IAA, II sports.

Meet with your counselor again and start requesting transcripts and applications to be sent out. PAY ATTENTION TO APPLICATION DEADLINES!!!

It is very important not to catch 'senioritis'! Keep those grades up and ready yourself for the rigors of college.

If you are not planning on going to college, meet with your counselor on other options such as the military or the work force.

Students enrolled in AP courses will need to take the AP Exam, which takes place in mid May.

Best of luck to you...it will be a fun but hectic year...one you will never forget!