Guidance Dept March Newsletter
Incoming 9th GRADE - FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
We welcome the High School Graduating Class of 2029 to join us next August for our annual Freshman Orientation. The online registration information for the event will be sent out later in the school year. The date for the event has been set as: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - please mark your calendars.
Freshman Orientation activities include opportunities for students to meet peers from both of our incoming middle school classes, bond with their freshman mentor group, tour the building, do team-building/icebreaker activities, experience their class schedule, and meet their upperclass mentors to name a few. It is the best way for students to get acclimated to the school that will become their second home for the rest of their years studying with Natick Public Schools. We look forward to meeting each of our incoming 9th Graders!
Students were able to enter course requests for the 2025-2026 school year into PowerSchool during the course selection period in February. Counselors met with all of our ninth graders in person during their Global Awareness classes to review their selections together to ensure the best possible course selections for next year.
Students and parents/guardians will have an opportunity later to review finalized course requests for next school year - stay tuned for further details coming soon!
As always, we encourage students and families to consider balance when choosing academic courses. Our motto is “Challenged but not overwhelmed.”
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR Pre-ACT REGISTERED STUDENTS
- The Pre-ACT will take place on March 29th.
- Students should arrive by 7:15am.
- The test will start promptly at 7:30am.
- Students should bring:
(Pencils, Calculator, Water Bottle, Snacks, Sweatshirt)
- Room assignment will be posted outside room 325A on Friday March 28th & in the lobby on Sat March 29th.
Any questions please reach out to Ms. Erving serving@natickps.org
GUIDANCE SEMINAR:
Juniors will begin their Junior Guidance Seminars during the CDS block starting the week of January 27th. Guidance Counselors will cover various topics including, but not limited to: SAT/ACT, college search criteria, transcripts and GPA, Naviance and its numerous features, requesting teacher recommendations, campus visits, the college essay, and the Common Application. Counselors provide students with access to a Junior Guidance Seminar Google Classroom that is full of materials and resources. We encourage students to share the classroom with their parents.
SAT/ACT
Students looking to take the SAT/ACT this spring should consider organizing a standardized testing plan. Guidance Counselors are happy to assist with any questions or concerns. March is a great time for juniors to begin the registration process. All juniors are encouraged to take at least one SAT and/or ACT test during their junior year, though many opt to sample both tests before deciding which format best showcases their academic skills. Links to the College Board (SAT) and ACT are below. Please note Natick High School’s code is 221475. This will be used at the time of registration.
SAT/ACT Registration:
We recommend that students and families research the standardized testing policies for colleges they are interested in. Fairtest.org keeps a running list of all colleges that no longer require standardized testing or that are test-optional.
Below are some important dates in relating to college planning
March 8th - SAT hosted at Natick High School
April 5th - ACT hosted at NHS (Registration deadline is February 28th and Late Registration deadline March 16th)
May 3rd - SAT hosted at NHS (April 18th registration deadline)
June 7th - SAT hosted at Natick High School (Registration deadline May 22nd)
June 14th ACT - Not hosted at NHS (Registration deadline May 9th)
July 12th ACT - Not hosted at NHS (Registration deadline June 6th)
August 23rd SAT (anticipated date)- Hosted at NHS (registration deadline not yet available)
COLLEGE DECISIONS
We appreciate this is an exciting time of year, and want to remind seniors to respect each other’s privacy as decisions are released. While some students are happy to share the details of their application results, others may prefer not to publicly disclose this information.
Please remember to keep your guidance counselors aware of all college admissions decisions; We are here to support you through this entire process.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Guidance Department maintains an updated database of independent scholarships. To download a list of independent scholarships please CLICK HERE.
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2024-2025
The local scholarship application portal opened on February 6th and will close on March 10th.
An account has been created for each senior using their school email address. Seniors will just need to reset their password.
Here is the link to the scholarship application: https://natickps.awardspring.com/
This guide will walk students through the process of applying for scholarships using the AwardSpring platform. Please follow the directions carefully.
- There are scholarship opportunities for seniors going to college, into a trade, certificate programs, vocational schools, etc. (dslattery@natickps.org)
- Recipients of Local Scholarships are announced during the Senior Class Night Award Program.
For more information on scholarship opportunities please visit the NHS Guidance Department website.
ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS OF AMERICA, NATICK CHAPTER 114
The Disabled American Veterans Of America, Natick Chapter 114 continues to support students of natick high school through their scholarship program.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Graduating Senior of NHS going onto higher education or a trade.
Must have a parent, grandparent or sibling who is active military or a veteran, or a grandparent who is a member of the DAV.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 107 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 107 CONTINUES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS OF NATICK HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH THEIR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
All applications must include all information listed below to be considered complete.
Application must include a resume, which includes your community service.
you must submit a copy of your Natick High School Transcript.
Please write a 300-500 word essay about yourself. Tell us about your community service. Have you helped out any senior citizens? Participated in any fundraising? What are your extra-curricular activities? Do you have any military aspirations or is a member of your family in the military?
DUE DATE: April 1, 2025. Submit completed applications to Mrs. Slattery in the NHS Guidance Office.
NATICK PMA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2025
The Natick PMA awards $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who participated in music programs at Natick High School. Scholarship applicants should demonstrate how their musicianship, leadership, and commitment to NHS music programs contributed in meaningful ways to the community. Applicants should also explain how their experiences in high school have prepared and motivated them for the ways in which music may play a role in the next stage of their lives.
Applications are due by Tuesday, April 1, 2025
STRIVERS INC. SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The STRIVERS Inc. Scholarship Fund has recently been established to provide funds for those our program directly impacts. Our goal for the scholarship fund is to assist those individuals who have run with us, volunteered for us, participated in our races, or simply have a love of running as much as we do.
The GREATER FRAMINGHAM RUNNING CLUB (GFRC) presents two College Scholarships to local high school seniors. The scholarship award for 2025 will be $500 for each recipient.
Application:
The cover letter and application will be sent to each high school scholarship point person. The application may also be downloaded here.
COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID
Be sure to check each college’s financial aid website for necessary
information such as deadlines and required financial aid application materials.
Colleges require families to submit a completed FAFSA financial aid application.
The FAFSA can be accessed here.
If you have additional questions related to the FAFSA, please visit the MEFA Family Webinar Series "Understanding the FAFSA" for a detailed presentation.
The NHS Guidance website and the MEFA website are excellent resources for families in the financial aid application process.
Questions? MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) offers a FAFSA Day MA hotline: 1-800-449-6332
Or email: fafsaday@gmail.com
MEFA One-On-One Appointment Request: https://www.mefa.org/appointment-request
Direct links to the community service and job opportunity web pages are located on Career and College Readiness Website. Please check out the CCR bulletin board located between the gymnasium and cafeteria as it is updated regularly. Feel free to drop by Mr. Nardi’s office in the Guidance suite or schedule a time to meet with him if you have any questions. (jnardi@natickps.org)
The Career and College Readiness Center offers:
Work-Study Program
Community Service Opportunities
Dual Enrollment (at local colleges)
Job Placement & Application Assistance
Resume Writing
Interview Skills
Career Exploration
Internship Opportunities through TEC:
The Education Cooperative (TEC) Internship Program is a career exploration program supporting junior and senior high school students. TEC internships enable students to: clarify career goals and future academics; understand career paths and what having a job is really like; strengthen a college application and/or resume; gain confidence and life skills; and make potential contacts for a future job search. TEC is offering internships in many fields.
Community Service
As we are well into Semester 2 and heading into Spring, Seniors should remember to complete their 30 hours of community service for graduation as soon as they can! There are plenty of both in person and virtual community service opportunities that can be completed.
To learn about these and many more opportunities visit: Community Service Website
Natick High School has a 30-Hour Community Service Component as part of the graduation requirements. Get your hours done now, but also make sure to properly document them.