2. Complete the Student Recommendation Letter /Interview Sheet and submit it to your counselor. You will give one copy of this form to each person you ask to write a recommendation.

3. Request Letters of Recommendation (WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR DUE DATES, 2 weeks prior minimum) from two teachers, coach, and/or employer.

4. Ask your counselor for a recommendation, if one is required (one is needed for the Common Application).

FILLING OUT PAPER APPLICATIONS:

NOTE: This work must be completed at least two weeks prior to the application deadline – YOU are responsible for knowing your deadlines.

Please keep these approximate guidelines in mind:

Early Decision October 14 Early Action October 14

Regular Admissions December1

Regarding deadlines - As a rule, it is not in your best interest to wait until the end of a deadline window to apply to a college. Programs can fill quickly and financial aid availability may be affected as well. Also, state universities and colleges are currently experiencing a significantly increased number of applicants.

1. Remember to spell Shepherd Hill Regional High School correctly

2. Shepherd Hill Regional High School's CEEB # is 220698 (for SAT and ACT)

3. Be sure to fill out ALL of information on the application

4. Be sure that your and/or your parents sign the application

5. Enclose the college application fee:

Make the check payable to the college (do NOT send cash)

Write your Social Security number on the check

6. Make copies of your essays

7. Have your official SAT scores sent to the college from College Board (colleges only consider them official if sent by the College Board). Make the request at sat.collegeboard.com/scores There is a $10 fee and a $29 fee for rush requests and a credit card is required.

8. Have your ACT scores sent to the college from actstudent.org/scores/send/

There is also a fee for this transaction and a credit card is required.

9. Bring your completed materials to your Guidance Counselor.

FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS ONLINE:

Set aside at least 30 minutes to complete the application and have these items on hand:

Your social security number

A list of your activities and/or awards

A credit card to pay the application fee (Some schools will waive the processing fee if you apply online). If you are not able to pay online, you must bring a check or money order payable to the college and it will be sent with your official transcript.

If an essay is needed, you will likely be asked to “paste” it onto your online application

ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED AN ONLINE APPLICATION

1. Your Guidance Counselor must send an official high school transcript and any letters of reference that may be needed. You must sign a release with your counselor. Your online application is incomplete until an official transcript is sent.

2. Send your official SAT and/or ACT scores as explained above in # 8 and #9.

Tools for Understanding PSAT/SAT Scores

College Admissions Workshop

Helpful Information

Transcripts

Advanced Placement

Course Section Worksheets

Grade 9 Course Selection Worksheet

Grade 10 Course Selection Worksheet

Grade 11 Course Selection Worksheet

Grade 12 Course Selection Worksheet

Transferring In/Out of SHRHS

Student Recommendation Letter/Interview Sheet

Guidance Google Classroom

Honor Roll

Miscellaneous

Guidance Dept. Objectives

The main objective of the Guidance Department at Shepherd Hill Regional High School is to assist students in all aspects of their high school experience.

Below is a list of the most common services provided for students:

Course Selection
Career Counseling
Progress Monitoring
Problem Solving (Academic & Personal)
Group Counseling
Statewide and National Testing
College and Post Graduate Education
Outside Agency Assistance and Referral
Peer Tutoring
Provision of Guidance Bulletins
Orientation of New Students

The Shepherd Hill Regional High School Guidance Department is proud to have developed a curriculum based on the Comprehensive Model of Counseling. This model systematically provides students with information throughout their high school career. The following topics will be covered and/or activities conducted:

Freshman year: Freshman Facts Brochure - information with regard to where to obtain help, mid-term and final exams information, credits required for promotion and GPA

Sophomore year: Career Interest Inventory - Students complete an inventory that will be utilized for course selection and college/technical school searches.

Junior year: Post graduate planning - topics revolving around the essential question: How do I ready myself for making informed college/workplace decisions?

Senior year: College application process - review of the internal practices to meet college application expectations & where to find scholarship information

Graduation Requirements

All students must carry enough courses during a school year to accumulate a minimum of 5.75 to 6.0 credits. A greater number of credits may be elected should space be available in courses, if they serve the best interests of the pupil, and if they have been approved by the student’s parent/guardian and Guidance Department. The following requirements must be met by students in order to graduate:

Four (4) credits in English
Four (4) credits in Mathematics
Three (3) credits in Social Studies
Three (3) credits in Science
Three 1/4 (3.25) Credits in Physical Education successfully passing in grades 9-12

As mandated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:

a Competency Determination with a score of 240 or a score of at least 220 with an EPP (Education Proficiency Plan) in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics
a Competency Determination with a score of 220 in the area of Science/Technology
a Competency Determination with a score of 220 in the area of U.S. History (beginning with YOG 2012) NOTE: In February 2010, the DESE voted to postpone this requirement.

Requirements for Promotion. **Beginning with the YOG 2014: The minimum number credits required for promotion and graduation are as follows:

to be considered a sophomore 5.00
to be considered a junior 10.00
to be considered a senior 15.75
for graduation 22.00

Grading System

A - Excellent Performance
B - Above Average
C- Average
D - Below Average
F - Failing
P - Passing
I - Incomplete (work to be finished within two weeks)
M - Medical

Calculation Formulas

How to Calculate Honor Roll

The Shepherd Hill Honor Roll is computed at the end of each marking period. Honor Roll is calculated based on a student’s numerical averages in their courses. Independent Studies, no credit-classes (such as Music Assistant) and ¼ classes (PE and Health) are not included. The following table applies:

If the average is 92 or greater, the student earned First Honors.
If the average is 89 or greater (but below a 92), the student earned Second Honors.
If the average is 85 or greater (but below an 89), the student earned Recognition.
The overall average will not be rounded up.
A student may not have a grade lower than C- (69) for honors consideration.

How to Calculate National Honor Society Eligibility

The Shepherd Hill National Honor Society is also computed at the end of each marking period. To be eligible for NHS membership a student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.6.

The following scale is utilized: A+ = 4.3, A = 4.0, A- = 3.6, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.6, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.6. Add up the values for each class, and divide by the total number of grades. Independent Studies, no-credit classes (such as Music Assistant) and ¼ classes (PE and Health) are not included.

How to Calculate Grade Point Average

Please click the PDF link below to access the formula to calculate the GPA. The GPA is a weighted, cumulative system.

How to Calculate GPA

Access to Student Records

Access to Student Records
Military Recruiters and Post Secondary Education Institutions

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that all schools receiving federal funds must provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary students to military recruiters and institutions of higher education. The act also requires that military recruiters be given the same access to students that is given to recruiters for post secondary education institutions and employers. If a parent objects to releasing this information, he/she should notify the Guidance Office before the end of the first week in September.

Naviance

Presentations

Program of Studies

Innovation Pathway

Scholarship Guide for Student with Disabilities

School Profile

AP Testing Information

Students may register for multiple Advanced Placement exams. Registration is through the Guidance Office (Mr. Gendron). Payment must be in the form of check or money order payable to SHRHS. To register, just drop off a check (one check for all exams). Be sure your name, student ID number and AP course name(s) are on the check. Cash will not be accepted. The cost per exam is $96.00 per student. Free or reduced lunch student exams cost $15.00. If the state should decide to further reduce this price, we will reimburse free or reduced lunch students at that time.

Students enrolled in ELA, Math, or Science Advanced Placement courses are required to take the exam. All other exams are optional. However, students are encouraged to take exams in each of their AP classes. Should a student not pay for a required exam, the test will be ordered and a bill will be assigned to the Main Office that will be due prior to the end of the student’s Shepherd Hill career, if a senior, or before underclassmen can sign out.

Any questions should be directed to Mr. Gendron at 508-943-6700 x173 or cgendron@dcrsd.org

SAT/PSAT Testing Information

SAT Testing:

Students sign up for testing at http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/ and will need a credit card for the process.

Testing dates may be viewed at:
http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates

IMPORTANT: SAT registration requires uploading a photo for identification purposes the day of the test.

The photo MUST:
1. be a portrait (head shot only)
2. be EASILY identifiable to a stranger as the student (you cannot rely on the person recognizing you)
3. have ONLY the student testing in the frame

CAREFULLY READ THE PHOTO REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU REGISTER:
http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/photo-requirements

The DAY of TESTING
The student must have:

1. Admission Ticket
2. Two #2 pencils
3. An acceptable calculator (see College Board checklist link)
4. ID card with an identifiable photo

Acceptable ID cards are: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/id-requirements

COLLEGE BOARD TESTING DAY CHECKLIST:
http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-test-day-checklist

COLLEGE BOARD REQUIRES THAT STUDENTS CANNOT BE ADMITTED IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER REGISTRATION MATERIALS OR PHOTO ID.

Please contact Amanda Holton at aholton@dcrsd.org with any questions.

PSAT Testing:

TESTING DATE:

TESTING TIME: 8:00 a.m.

TESTING LOCATION: SHRHS

JUNIORS - Sign up with the Guidance Secretary. The cost is $18 (check payable to SHRHS; NO CASH). By taking the PSAT in the 11th grade, you may be eligible for scholarships and other academic recognition, including:

National Merit Scholarship Corporation: www.nationalmerit.org
Other scholarship and recognition programs: www.collegeboard.org/psat

To learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit www.collegeboard.org/psat.

SOPHOMORES - There is no charge for you. A list of the rooms will be posted on the second floor a few days before testing.

Please forward any questions you may have to Diana Hernandez at dhernandez@dcrsd.org

Tutoring Information

Peer Tutoring
Team of Tutors