Submitting Test Scores

The college admissions tests (ACT and SAT) are one of the basic components that most colleges consider when evaluating an application. While any scores that we have appear on your transcript, the vast majority of the colleges want to receive the score results directly from the testing agency. You receive the option to send your scores during registration to 4 colleges for free and there is an additional charge for any extra schools you want to send your results to after those initial four.

You can log in to the ACT and SAT websites to review the locations where you selected to send your scores to make sure that every college you are considering has received a copy of your scores. This is an important step as you are completing the application process. So, in addition to making sure that you have completed your application form, written your essay, secured your recommendation letters, and submitted your transcript release form, please make sure that you have sent your official test scores to each of the colleges where you are applying.

Don't forget, not every college will require these tests so it is not the end of the world if you are not a strong test taker. Visit http://www.fairtest.org/ for a list of the over 800 colleges that do not require admissions tests as a component to evaluate the applicant.

Senior Schedule Changes

Every year we have seniors come in asking to drop 2nd semester classes from their schedules.  And every year when a senior approaches me with that request I encourage the student to stay in the class and if they really feel strongly that they want to make the change that they need to contact all of the colleges where they have applied to see if it will impact their admissions decision.  Students will frequently roll their eyes and think I am crazy for making that suggestion, but we consistently hear that message from colleges because it is so important.  Today I received an email from a college where many of our students apply and I am copying it for you just so you will realize that making changes at the semester – especially if you are looking to drop a class – is NOT a decision you should take lightly.

Because strength of curriculum is an important factor in our decision, we require students to notify us if they plan to change their senior year course schedule. Please ask them to include the following information in the email: (1) their current spring 2015 schedule as it appears on their original application, (2) the change they would like to make, and (3) the reason(s) for the change. We will review and respond to all requests as promptly as possible. If the student has been offered admission, the Admissions Committee may choose to reconsider that offer based on the change of schedule. If a student is notified that his or her decision is being deferred, any course changes will be considered when the final admission decision is made.

If you are struggling with your academic load and NEED to make a change, please come see me so we can talk about the options, but again, I strongly encourage you to maintain a rigorous schedule throughout your entire senior year.

PSAT Results

Your scores have arrived! Any students who took the PSAT test in October, your scores will be distributed this week. I will call you down in small groups and explain your results, go over next steps and AP Potential. If you have additional questions about your scores, feel free to come and see me and we can take a look together. The score reports include lots of helpful information, tips, and practice for improving as well as information that we have available on the counselor website - Student Services, Testing Information.

Also, there is a section that you can look at with regards to your scores that will help guide you on selecting courses for your future.  For example, the AP Potential section will give you an idea of which AP tests you can expect to be able to earn a 3 or higher (and therefore be able to earn college credit for the class).

Don't forget, these are just practice tests so they are giving you a general indication of where you might expect to score if you were taking the SAT with no additional preparation or review.

Jobs, Careers, Majors... Oh my!

Attention Freshman:
Next Tuesday and Wednesday in your English class, you will have a guest presenter introducing you to Ohio Means Jobs. Okay, okay… you are a freshman… you have 4 years until you graduate, you have soooo much time to think about majors, careers, colleges, jobs… WAIT, no you don’t!

As a freshman, this is the time to look into possible career matches and opportunities that match your interests and abilities. When we have an idea of where we are heading, it is easier to create a roadmap of goals and objectives for how to get there. One of the items on your roadmap will be course selection. I know as a freshman you may have felt locked into the classes you had to take, but as a senior, junior and even sophomore your opportunities for selecting courses that will prepare you for the career/major you are heading for will open up!

Through Ohio Means Jobs, you will have a plethora of information, resources and assessments available to you that will help determine your possibilities. I don’t want to give all the surprises away! I hope you will find Ohio Means Jobs is meaningful and helpful in your pursuit towards higher education, career tech or the military. Have fun and I will see you next Tuesday and Wednesday!

Graduation Requirements

Do you know what is required in order to graduate from high school? In all honesty, for freshmen students the answer is probably "no." The graduation requirements have been a work in process for those students who are in the Class of 2018, but last month the state provided the information we needed to know that spells out what current freshmen must successfully do in order to graduate with a high school diploma. I will be honest, perhaps it is just because it is a change, but it isn't necessarily easy to understand at first glance, but my goal is to help make sure that you know and understand what you will need to do to graduate. And, please, rest assured that I will be doing progress checks at least twice per year to make sure you will be staying on track to graduate.

So, before I jump into the freshman graduation requirements, I am going to start off with the Course Requirements because those have not changed at all so the course requirements are the classes that are required for ALL STUDENTS in grades 9 - 12. These course requirements include:
- 4 credits of English
- 4 credits of Math (including equivalent of Algebra 2)
- 3 credits of Science
- 4 credits (beginning with class of 2018) of Social Studies (including US History,Government and Econ/Financial Literacy)
- 1/2 a credit of Health
- 1/2 a credit of Physical Education
- 5 credits of Elective (electives can also include additional credits in the core subjects above - so, for example, if you take 4 credits of Science, the 4th credit would be an elective credit.)
- 1/2 a credit of Financial Literacy (met through Economics)
- 2 semesters worth of Fine Arts successfully completed between grades 9
- 12

In addition to the classes mentioned above, 10th - 12th graders must also pass all sections of the Ohio Graduation Test in order to graduate.

Now, take a deep breath and we will talk about the additional requirements that freshmen have. The good news is that you do not have to take or pass the Ohio Graduation Tests. However, you do have some Assessment requirements.

All students in the Class of 2018 will be required to take 7 End of Course Exams. These tests will be in:
- English 1
- English 2
- Math 1
- Math 2
- Physical Science
- American History
- American Government

Depending on how you do on those End of Course Exams you will earn a certain number of points. If you are Advanced you will earn 5 points, Accelerated = 4 points, Proficient = 3 points, Limited = 2 points, and Basic = 1 point.

Those points become important for the 3rd component the requirement for freshmen to earn their high school diploma which is Demonstration of Readiness.

In the Demonstration of Readiness area students must meet one of the following 3:
1. Earn at least 18 points cumulative score on the 7 end of course exams. At least 4 of those points must come from English, 4 points must come from Math and 6 points must come from Science and Social Studies. The remaining 4 points can come from any subject area.
2. Earn a "Remediation Free" score on the ACT or SAT. The state of Ohio will pay for students in the Class of 2018 to take one of these tests when you are in 11th grade. We anticipate the state announcing which test they will use this coming spring, but if students take the tests multiple times they can use their highest verifiable score to meet the requirement.
3. Earn a State Board of Education approved, industry-recognized credential or a state issued license for practice in a career and achieve a score that demonstrates workforce readiness and employability on a job skills assessment. The state is still working on determining what these tests will be and that information will come in the next few months. All credentials will need to be tied to jobs that are in demand either statewide or locally and the state will update the list of jobs that will qualify regularly. The job must be on the list during the student's junior or senior year in order to qualify.

In short, for students in the class of 2018, if you successfully complete the Course Requirements + the Assessment Requirements + the Demonstration of Readiness then it will = a High School Diploma.

The tests will probably lead to a lot of questions down the line, but I promise we will help you through this whole process. All we ask of you is to focus on your current classes and do the best you can on each of the assessments that you will have to take this year and in the following years.

When you reach the end of your high school career (no matter if it is in a few months or a few years) I promise you that this will be worth it and you will be both excited and proud to be walking across the stage in your cap and gown!

Community Resources

The holidays are quickly approaching. When we think of the holiday season, we often associate these times with joy and family celebration. Throw in some stress, overeating, and family conflict, and you have the stereotypical holiday celebration!

However, the holidays can also be a painful reminder of lost loved ones and the struggles that life brings. Many people struggle with grief, financial hardship, depression, and countless other issues. Special occasions tend to put a spotlight on these struggles. Fortunately, there is help available. Richland County has a number of resources to help people through tough times.


 First Call of Richland County is a great place to start. I have called many times to get information on food pantries, help with bills, clothing needs, housing questions, etc. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly.

First Call of Richland County

419-522- INFO (4636)


In the middle of a personal or family crisis? Reach out, get help!

Crisis Helpline: 419-522-HELP (4357)

For those families who are mourning the loss of a loved one, Hospice of North Central Ohio is a wonderful resource. They offer a variety of services to help people of all ages through the grieving process. These services are provided at no cost.

Hospice of North Central Ohio

1-800-952-2207

Make a Difference

As you begin applying to college and for scholarships there are many times that questions come up about what community service experiences you have had. And, even if not asked directly, if you had memorable experiences they can often be used to support your essay responses.
No need to panic! Your volunteer work doesn’t have to be a huge project or consist of thousands of hours of time – what is important is to get involved!  No matter how old you are, now is a great time to start working on volunteering – the experiences will help you in the long run.
Community service opportunities are as different as each individual who decides they want to help make a difference in the world around them. The sky is the limit and I encourage you to find something that inspires you.

Some volunteer ideas that could help get you started could include – community beautification projects (cleaning up parks or areas of the city), helping elderly neighbors, visiting nursing homes to perform music or talk with residents, homeless outreach, packing groceries for a food bank, assisting at the humane society or other animal shelters, wrapping and handing out gifts to those less fortunate, organizing and attending holiday parties for kids or the poor that would usually have nothing to celebrate, serving in a project for those who are disabled or ill (such as Make a Wish or the Special Olympics), fundraising or recruitment events, becoming the champion for a cause and helping with awareness (Diabetes, Cancer, Organ Donation), and the list literally goes on and on. Also, don’t forget that there are several co-curricular groups at LHS that focus on community service such as LEO's, Informed Teens and Humaniteens and you are encouraged to look into those opportunities as well.

I am anxious to hear your community service stories and the ways you are working to make a difference!