Interested in becoming an EMT?
Saratoga County Workforce Development will be offering an EMT Career Pathway Program for students who are 16 years or older. Those interested in becoming an EMT while attaining college credits and paving a medical career pathway are encouraged to apply. Students will participate in lectures, labs, and must fulfill a 10 hour observation requirement. The class will run every Monday - Thursday from 9 am - 2:30 pm starting on Monday, June 26th and ending on August 22nd. The application can be found here. Deadline: June 14th (space is limited)
Career Opportunities Summer Program Hosted by Siena College
Siena College, in partnership with the New York State Society of CPAs and the The Moynihan Scholarship Fund, will be hosting their fourth annual Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program this summer. This is a free program, which runs June 26th - June 27th. The program will help high school students understand to the world of accounting and business and will include:
- Exploration of topics like digital forensics, cyber security and financial planning
- Learning about a wide variety of careers in the field
- Practicing interviews
- Gaining access to insider college admissions info
Applications, which can be found here, are due June 23, 2023.
Scholarship Opportunity for Juniors & Seniors
The 6th Annual Leonard Bus Sales “A Day in the Life of a School Bus” Art Competition & Scholarship for 2023/2024 school year in New York State is now open! The goal of this art contest is to recognize and encourage the artistic talents of high school students across the state. The winner of the competition will receive a $1,000 scholarship and have their artwork professionally reproduced and shared with school districts and school bus enthusiasts across New York State. More information can be found here regarding the rules and student release form. Deadline: October 9, 2023
Distance Learning Classes for the 2023-2024 School Year
There have been a few updates to the course offerings that we anticipate will be in our schedule next school year. Remember, distance learning courses are taught by teachers in neighboring school districts and streamed into our classrooms. Please see your counselor if you are interested in learning more about the courses below or if you are hoping to add any of them to your schedule!
- Adirondack History (1/2 credit; semester 1 class)
- AP/SUPA Psychology (through Syracuse University)
- Astronomy (1/2 credit; semester 1 class)
- Business Communications (option of college credit through FMCC - BUS 137)
- Criminology (option of college credit through SUNY ADK - SOC 201)
- Cybersecurity *NEW OFFERING*
- Forensic Science
- History of American Sport
- History of World War II (1/2 credit; semester 2 class)
- Marine Science
- Meteorology (1/2 credit; semester 1 class)
- Mobile App Entrepreneur (1/2 credit; semester TBD)
- Modern Cosmology (1/2 credit; semester 2 class)
- Music in Our Lives
- Principles of Business (option of college credit through FMCC - BUS 101)
- Principles of Sociology (option of college credit through SUNY ADK - SOC 101)
- Theoretical Physics (1/2 credit; semester 2 class)
- Vet Science
Volunteer at The Way!
Raise money for your class by volunteering at The Way (a gently used clothing store located at 17 Ferry St. in Schuylerville). More information can be found below:
- Students may work Fri 3-5:30, Sat 8:30-11, or Sat 11-1:30
- Two to four students at a time can sign up for a shift using Signup Genius
- Volunteer hours will be tracked at the store
- For every student who works 2 hours, The Way will donate $5 to the class they are representing
- The Way will tally up the amount and donate the money to the school once per quarter
Employment Opportunity for the 2023-2024 School Year
The School's Out Program is currently looking for students (at least 16 years old) to join their staff to provide after school care for students in grades K-6. The after school program operates from 3:00 - 5:30 pm daily. The program follows the school calendar, including all closures, vacations, and 2-hour delays. The wage for high school staff members is $14.20/hour and students must be able to work at least three days a week. Please find more information, including the application for employment, here.
Excelsior Scholarship Information
The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. For the 2023-24 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2021 are eligible to apply. In order to apply, students must meet eligibility requirements, including:
- Be residents of New York State
- Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two or four-year college
- Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study
- Be on track to graduate on time with an Associate's Degree in two years or a Bachelor's Degree in four years
For more information, and to apply, visit the HESC website here.
Enhanced Tuition Awards Program
The Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a participating private college/university located in New York State. Recipients will receive $6,000 through a combination of their TAP award, ETA award and a match from their private college. Find a list of participating private colleges or universities here. More information about this program can be found here.
NYS STEM Incentive Program
The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a public degree-granting college or university located in New York State. Recipients must be in the top 10 percent of students of their high school graduating class, pursue an approved, two or four-year STEM degree program and agree to live in NYS and work in a STEM field in NYS for five years after graduation. More information about this program can be found here.
Important Graduation Information
- Graduation Rehearsal will be held on campus on Tuesday, June 20th from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. The rehearsal is mandatory for all graduates who plan to participate in the ceremony. Students are advised to adjust their work schedules to accommodate rehearsal. The rehearsal rain date is Wednesday, June 21st from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- The Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 22nd at 7 p.m. in Black Horse Stadium. Seniors should arrive by 6:30 p.m. and report immediately to their designated spot in the High School upon arrival. Each student in the Class of 2023 will receive 6 reserved seats in a specific pod on the field (pod information was mailed home with Quarter 4 Progress Reports).There will be additional seating located behind the designated pods. The bleachers located on the press side of the stadium will not be open for seating. Visitor bleachers will be available for additional seating. The graduation ceremony will be live streamed to http://www.schuylervilleschools.org/2023-graduation/. The rain date for the graduation ceremony is Friday, June 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
Transferring College Credit Taken in High School
If you've taken a college level course in high school for college credit and would like the credit transferred to the college you will be attending in the fall, please be sure to request an official college transcript at the end of the school year. Contact information is below for each college we receive courses from:
- U Albany (French 4 & 5 and Spanish 4 & 5, Independent Science Research)
- Syracuse University (Economic Issues & Ideas, Public Policy; follow directions for Project Advance courses)
- SUNY Adirondack (Creative Writing, Criminology, Intro to College Writing, Sociology, Intro to Personal Economics, Principles of Marketing, )
- SUNY Cobleskill (Animal Science, Food Science, and Plant Science)
Employment Opportunities
- Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc (located in Clifton Park) is looking for fall-enrolled college students to work during the summer months. There are various positions available (manufacturing, shipping, supply chain, and customer service) and compensation will vary based on position. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. There are also full time manufacturing positions available for those planning to enter employment upon graduation. If interested in summer or full-time employment, please apply at the facility or on Indeed (search: Bobrick).
- The City of Saratoga Springs (Department of Public Safety - Traffic Maintenance Division) is currently seeking individuals to fulfill a full-time position, as well as a summer laborer position. The qualified applicant must meet the minimum qualifications as outlined on the job announcements found here: Traffic Control Maintainer I / Summer Laborer.
AIM Services, Inc. is hiring for various employment opportunities. See the flyers below for more information about openings, as well as their upcoming Job Fair!
Coming this summer ... The College Boot Camp Series
Get a jump start on the college application process by attending our College Boot Camp Series. We will discuss the college search process, completing your college application, essay writing, financial aid, and scholarships! These sessions will be on July 12th, August 24th, and August 30th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. If interested in attending, please register for one or more of the sessions using this Google Form.
Interested in learning more about the SUNY system?
Complete the Request Information Form to have a SUNY viewbook sent directly to you. By completing this form, you'll not only receive a viewbook filled with SUNY information, but you'll also be included in future mailings. Also, multiple opportunities exist for students to get to know SUNY better over the summer. Visits are available both in person or online. Use the links below for more information!
FAFSA Information
The FAFSA as we know it will be changing and students who will be seniors in high school during the 2023-2024 school year will be the first to complete the new simplified version of the FAFSA! Below are a few things to know about this new version of the FAFSA:
- The new FAFSA will be quicker to fill out (no more than 36 questions, down from 108).
- More low-income students and families will have access to federal Pell Grants.
- The FAFSA will be opening later than usual (usually opens on October 1st; this coming year, the application will not be available until sometime in December).
- There will be less federal aid for families with siblings in college.
- IRS tax data is required to complete the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA’s FSA ID will be more important than ever (the student and at least one parent will need to have an FSA ID)
More information about changes to the FAFSA can be found here.
Scholarship Opportunity
The 2024 application for the Coca-Cola Scholarship (open to high school students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year) will open on August 1st! This program is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. More information about this scholarship program can be found here. Deadline: October 2, 2023
College Application Essay Tips
As you head into the summer months, it's time to start thinking about that essay for your college application. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Don't try to sound like everyone else or sound like the "perfect" student you think the school is looking for; this is your time to use your voice - make your essay sound like you.
- Make sure you are honest and that your stories are authentic; don't embellish the truth.
- You want your essay to stand out so don't write about things that every one will write about (hot topics might be chosen by many, so they won't be a very unique topic).
- Nobody is perfect, so don't pretend to be perfect; it's okay to demonstrate your growth instead of only highlighting your perfect moments.
- Your accomplishments will be listed in various sections of your application, so don't list them in your essay.
- Be yourself when you write; the style of writing should match who you are.
- Don't complain, blame others, sound negative, or play the victim; use your essay as an opportunity to show your growth.
- A research paper is not the right type of writing to submit for your college application essay; instead, pretend you are telling a story to your favorite teacher - focus on who you are, versus what's in your brain.
- Make sure you are talking about YOU - this is a personal essay about YOU; this is an opportunity for the Admissions Office to get to know YOU as a human (Who are you? How do you think? What are your values?).
Remember - all students are unique, there is no formula to writing the perfect essay, and there are many ways to write a great essay!
(Source: Advantage College Planning)
Common Application Information and Essay Prompts
If you are ready to create your Common App account and start navigating through the application (prior to August 1), no problem! Common App will rollover your account on August 1st, which means: your responses to questions on the Common App tab, including the personal essay, will be kept and you'll be able to access them after the rollover!
Looking to get started on your essay? Below is the full set of essay prompts for 2023-2024 Common App:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Upcoming SAT/ACT Testing Information:
The SAT and the ACT will be offered on the following (Saturday) National testing dates during the 2023-2024 school year. The cost of the SAT is $55. The ACT has a basic fee of $66.00, with an optional writing test (cost with writing is $91.00). If the cost of these tests presents a hardship, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Please check with Mrs. Rust or Mrs. O'Brien.
SAT Test Dates (Registration Information)
August 26, 2023 (July 28, 2023)
October 7, 2023( September 7, 2023)
November 4, 2023 (October 5, 2023)
December 2, 2023 (November 2, 2023)
March 9, 2024 (February 23, 2024)^
May 4, 2024 (April 19, 2024)^
June 1, 2024 (May 17, 2024)^
^Digital administration of the SAT
**Be sure to take advantage of free Official SAT Practice at Khan Academy®. Become more confident on test day by taking practice test!
ACT Test Dates (Registration Information)
September 9, 2023 (August 4, 2023)
October 28, 2023 (September 22, 2023)
December 9, 2023 (November 3, 2023)
February 10, 2024 (January 5, 2024)
April 13, 2024 (March 8, 2024)
June 8, 2024 (May 3, 2024)
July 13, 2024* (June 7, 2024)
Summer Programs at Rochester Institute of Technology
- Introducing RIT (virtual - June 5 from 6 pm - 8 pm): This virtual admissions event is a perfect first look for high school juniors, sophomores, and their families. Learn about RIT's future-focused majors, our nationally ranked co-op and internship program, combined accelerated bachelor's/master's degrees, student life, and more. Students will learn about RIT and the admissions process with the dean of admissions and then break out to academic sessions with faculty to learn about majors and the classroom experience. More information can be found here.
- College & Careers (virtual - August 1st and August 2nd at 11 am and 1 pm): Rising seniors can give their future a test drive at RIT's College & Careers. Similar to a conference, students choose up to four interactive workshops, all presented online, that showcase future-focused careers. Here's a sampling of the 50+ topics offered last year (more information can be found here): 3D Design ~ Biomedical Engineering ~ Business Analytics and Management Information Systems ~ Game Design: Understanding Levin Design in Video Games ~ Physics: Gravitational Waves with a Galaxy-sized Detector ~ International and Global Studies: Looking for Myself in the Midst of Globalization ~ Mechanical Engineering Technology: Vehicle Design ~ Ultrasound: Solving Medical Mysteries
Registration for these online events will open in late-June. Interested students should register as early as possible because many workshop will reach capacity.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES
Mrs. Tracy Lyon, Administrative Aide
(518) 695-2256. ext 2239
School Counselors
Mrs. O’Brien (A-G, Grades 9 - 11; A-L, Grade 12)
Ms. Bean (H-M, Grades 9 & 10 ; H-L, Grade 11; Career Education & AP Coordinator)
Mrs. Rust (N-Z, Grades 9 & 10; M-Z, Grades 11 & 12)
