Guidance Department

Grade Level Expectations

Scheduled Counselor Visits

Small group meetings geared toward helping students discover strengths, goals, challenges, and more
Individual meetings to review learning inventory and personalized learning plan

Checklist

Focus on starting strong

GPA matters for college admission. It starts now!

Habits formed in your first year of high school will likely go with you through senior year. Develop habits of when and where you do homework. Turn in work on time. Be willing to ask questions.

Take learning inventory to help drive future-thinking conversations with parents, teachers, and guidance counselors.

Get involved in school activities

Scheduled Counselor Visits

Small group meetings that begin the process of thinking ahead to life after high school graduation - career interests, goals, and more
Individual meetings that utilize a personalized learning plan which directs students' thoughts toward their futures

Checklist

Begin taking career interest inventories

Personalize your learning

Figure out what you enjoy

Figure out your strengths and weaknesses

Figure out how to amplify your strengths and improve your weaknesses

Begin exploring college options

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can my student find his/her GPA?

How does my student get a Naviance account?

How can parents get a Naviance account?

How do I match my Naviance and Common App Accounts?

How do I request a letter of recommendation from a teacher?

Students should fill out a “Letter of Recommendation Request Form,” which they can get from the Guidance Center. Students complete that form, including providing any necessary specifics to inform the teacher’s writing process. Once complete, students return the form to the Guidance Center. Students can use Naviance to track whether or not a letter has been completed.

How do the colleges and universities I’ve applied to get my transcripts and letters of recommendation?

How long will it take for a school to decide whether I’m accepted or not?

Where can I find scholarships?

Most of the scholarship money a student will receive comes from the school he or she chooses to attend. Typically, the college application is also the scholarship application, although some schools list additional scholarships that require separate applications. It is important that schools have students’ FAFSA information. Students can also search for private scholarships using Naviance or another scholarship database. Every SCLA senior has received information on and an invitation to Going Merry, a nationwide scholarship database service. SCLA occasionally receives scholarship information which is communicated to students using email, flyers, and/or Naviance.

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an application that, when submitted, gives students and families access to all forms of federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Some states and colleges use students’ FAFSA information to determine additional scholarship eligibility. Fill out the application at www.studentaid.gov

What is CSS Profile?

Video Tutorials

Seniors and families of seniors have many tasks to complete in the application process. Check out the video tutorials for assistance with those tasks. If your question was not answered, click the "Request a Tutorial" button and Guidance Staff will be notified of your concern.

What is Naviance?

Common App Basics

Financial Aid

Colleges have different costs, and families have different needs when it comes to paying those costs. Financial aid is the difference between the costs of college and what students/families can afford. It comes in many forms and award amounts. SCLA students are served by guidance staff to explore and understand financial aid options available to them.

In addition, parents and families are invited to financial aid information sessions during the school year.

Link to YouTube | Link to a Google Slides Presentation

FAFSA Website

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. Aid is limited, so take note of and meet the deadlines.

Suggested Reading Starting as Early as Middle School:
LAUNCH: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward
by local author Jeannie Burlowski

Courses and Grades

Match Common App & Naviance

Transcripts & Letters of Rec

Standardized Testing

Non-US Citizens

Matching Accounts

Crusader Connection Dates

Senior Parent Webinars 9/4/24 and 1/8/25

Junior Parent Webinars 9/11/24 and 1/15/25

Sophomore Parent Webinars 9/18/24 and 1/22/25

*New Family Tailgate 9/20/24

Freshman Parent Webinars 9/25/24 and 1/29/25

International Parent Webinar 09/27/24

Mr. Kock will give an overview of college and university options within the U.S., and share how the SCLA Guidance department supports each student in their university search. This webinar will also help parents understand the tools available to them as they accompany their children through the university application process.

Register

Zoom Link

Friday, September 27, 2024, 7:00 a.m.

PSEO Information Meeting 01/15/25

Talking With My Teen 02/26/25

Talking with my Teen - Wednesday, February 26 - 5:00pm

This session will provide parents with an opportunity to learn and discuss research-backed and Biblically-based ways to lovingly and effectively communicate with teenagers.

This in-person session will be led by Pastor Jon Enter, who has many years of experience as a pastor, teacher, youth leader, and parent.

Session will not be recorded.

ACT/SAT Testing

College entrance exams are one way many colleges look at prospective students. Most Midwestern colleges require the ACT, while those schools in the US coastal states (east and west) look for an SAT score. Information and online registration are available for both of these tests. Most students take this exam their junior year, but some students will take the ACT or SAT more than once.

SCLA offers on-campus ACT and SAT testing during the school day each October. Click the button below for more information and to register.

SCLA Testing Code: 242-673

On Campus ACT/SAT Registration ACT HOME SAT HOME

Career and College Exposure Opportunities

SCLA teachers and Guidance staff organize classroom visits by local professionals in different career fields and backgrounds. These visits by professionals provide students with insight into the connection between classroom learning and future career possibilities.

SCLA Guidance staff organizes various college exposure opportunities throughout the school year. These include on-campus visits by college admissions representatives, off-campus college fairs, and campus tours at local universities.

Scholarship Links

Private scholarships are available from a variety of sources and through a variety of processes. The links below will help students begin that search.

CSS Profile Petersons Scholarship Search Naviance: Scholarships

Guidance Staff

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