• February 1: Priority FAFSA Filing Deadline in Missouri
• February 8: ACT (National ACT Test Date)
• February 28: Deadline to register for April 5 ACT
• March 8: SAT (National Test Date)
• March 12: SAT @ Viz for Juniors
• March 24: Deadline for students to make changes in their 25-26 course requests
• March 25: ACT @ Viz for Juniors
• April 5: ACT (National Test Date)

The course selection process for the 2025-2026 is underway! Counselors have met with students in small groups to discuss the Program of Studies and distribute course selection worksheets (see below). Students have been encouraged to talk with their parents and current teachers to choose classes aligned with their interests and future plans while also fulfilling their graduation requirements.

2025-2026 Course Selection Timeline:

• 1/27-2/13: Students meet one-on-one with their counselor to ask questions, review their transcript, and input their course selections into the portal. If a prerequisite has not been met, counselors will work with department chairs to either:

1. Override the prerequisite and enroll the student in the class or
2. Request students and parents schedule a meeting with the department chair to discuss enrollment in the class under contract.

• 3/06: Deadline for students and parents to schedule a contract meeting with department chairs, if applicable.

• 3/10: Deadline for students to submit a signed contract, if applicable.

• 3/24: Deadline for students to make changes in their course requests until after schedules are released in June.

• 3/24-6/15: Master Schedule created based on student course requests.

Additional Information:

Program of Studies

Class of 2026 Course Selection Worksheet

Class of 2027 Course Selection Worksheet

Class of 2028 Course Selection Worksheet

Visitation Academy is accepting applications from current sophomore students to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) June 27-29, 2025 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO. The HOBY Missouri Leadership Seminar is an opportunity for high school students to recognize their leadership potential and develop the skills to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace, and community.

A committee will select one student to receive a scholarship covering the full registration fee. Additionally, two other students may be nominated to attend the seminar at their own expense ($395).

For more information about the HOBY seminar, visit hoby.org.

Applications are due Thursday, February 13th: https://forms.gle/8gN7RSZ1wq749Rni6

JUNIORS: Are you interested in learning more about government and politics? If so, you should consider applying for Missouri Girls State!

Girls State is a summer leadership and citizenship program sponsored by the American Legion. It is designed to educate high school girls about government, politics, and civic responsibility through creating a mock state government. Participants engage in activities such as running for office, crafting legislation, and learning about the functions of local, state, and national government.

Program dates: June 21 – 28, 2025 at Lindenwood University

All applicants must attend high school in Missouri, have just completed their junior year and have at least one semester of high school remaining. Candidates are evaluated for participation based on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academics.

Application: https://apply.missourigirlsstate.org (Deadline, Monday, February 3 for priority consideration.)

Students should notify their counselor or Mrs. Swaller once they submit their application so it can be forwarded to Girls State for consideration.

For more information about Girls State visit https://www.missourigirlsstate.org

Are you interested in a career in health care? Consider applying for Mercy's Teens Learning in the Community (TLC) Program, a summer volunteer program for students (16 years and up) who are interested in a career in medicine. The TLC program offers students a look into a variety of health care roles and hospital departments while fostering a commitment to service. Students will leave the program with a strong sense of what it's like to work on a team and be an effective leader. For more information and to apply click here

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

In addition to National Test Dates, juniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT and SAT at Visitation in March. These events are optional and require an additional fee. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify.

SAT on Wednesday 3/12 (late start day) Juniors only

• Digital exam

• Includes English & Reading, and Math sections

• 7:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (standard time test-takers)

• Students are expected to attend class after the SAT exam

• Cost: $65

• Deadline to register is March 7th

• Link to Register

ACT on Tuesday 3/25 for Juniors only

• Paper and pencil exam

• Includes English, Math, Reading and Science sections

• 8am to 11:30am (standard time testers)

• Students are excused from class for the day

• Cost: $60

• Deadline to Register is March 14th

• Link to Register

To help students prepare for the ACT, we are offering an ACT prep class through The ACT Academy, an organization that has facilitated ACT prep at Viz for the past four years.

Class Details:

• Focus: ACT strategies and content in preparation for the March 25th test
• Subjects: Practice exams in Reading, English, Math, and Science
• Cost: $340 per student
• Minimum Enrollment: 10 students required for the class to run
• Deadline to register is February 7th
• Dates and Times: 4:30pm to 6:30pm
• February 18, 20, 25, 27; March 4, 6, 11
• Snow Day (if needed): March 13
• Link to Register

ACT Academy website: ACT Summer Academy and Boot Camp

Note: A minimum of 10 students must register for the class in order for it to take place.

The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) is hosting a STEM College and Career Fair on Sunday, March 9, from 1-3pm. For more information including a list of participating schools, click here.

For more information and to register, click here.

For more information and to register, click here.

While most scholarships are awarded by the colleges to which students apply, thousands of scholarships are also offered by external agencies and organizations. Below are a few websites to help guide your search. Deadlines vary, and new scholarships will be added throughout the year, so be sure to check back regularly!

St. Louis Area Scholarships:

https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities

https://stlgives.org/community-impact/scholarships/

National databases:

Fastweb: https://www.fastweb.com/

College Board’s Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search Going Merry: https://goingmerry.com/

Peterson’s: https://www.petersons.com/scholarship-search.aspx

Sallie Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/search/

Unigo: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships

The Visitation Academy Counseling website also has information about scholarship opportunities. This information is updated as we receive it. Viz Scholarship Information

Stephanie Sparks, 9th Grade Counselor (all)

Karen Verstraete, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (A-G)

Mary Bodlovich, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (H-M)

Chrissy Boyce, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (N-Z), Counseling Department Chair

Meghan Swaller, Counseling Department Coordinator