DEAR SENIOR PARENTS,
Graduation Requirements
Social Security Number
Student/Counseling Services
Career Center
College Admissions Tests
College Applications
Letter of Recommendation
College Planning
Scholarship Information
Financial Aid Information
Running Start
Graduation
Transcripts
Welcome to the long awaited senior year of your student. You and your sons and daughters have
come a long way, and this promises to be an important, exciting year. Together we need to
establish clear expectations for seniors to work hard, complete all graduation requirements, and
utilize all available learning experiences during their last year of public education. The purpose
of this letter is to present you with some important information for this year.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
1. CREDITS: Students must pass 45 classes and earn 22.5 credits in order to graduate. Students
are required to have 16.5 credits to be classified as asenior.
2. CITIZENSHIP: WASHINGTON AND UNITED STATES: This is a one semester required
civics course for all seniors and must be passed for graduation. Included in the course is a test on
the United States Constitution which also must be passed.
3. GLOBAL HISTORY: This course, which includes map test requirements, is a senior Social
Studies requirement for graduation.
4. SENIOR ENGLISH COURSE: All seniors need to complete at least one semester of English
during the senior year. College-bound seniors need to complete a full year of English.
5. CONSUMER EDUCATION: Seniors need to complete a one semester class that focuses on
understanding basic economic principles and being an informed consumer.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Any senior without a social security number should apply as soon as possible to obtain one. It
takes several weeks for processing. Many college applications require a social security number.
STUDENT SERVICES/COUNSELING SERVICES
All students at Squalicum High School are assigned to a house: Bay, Mountain, or Sky House.
Each house has a counselor and a house secretary. The counselors offer consultation with parents
and teachers, personal counseling to students, and assistance to students in tracking progress
towards graduation.
CAREER CENTER
During this most important year, students will want to utilize the career information and
materials in Squalicum High's Career Center. Career Specialist Debbie Granger and her
assistant, Cindy O'Brien are available to assist students. Students may sign up to use computer
programs to explore personal career interests, receive extensive information about career and job
opportunities, and research college and scholarship information. Parents are also welcome to
utilize Career Center materials.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS
Students planning to apply to four-year universities in the state of Washington or out of state,
must take either the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SATI), in June
of their Junior year or early Fall of the Senior year. Schedules for these tests are posted in the
Career Center. Registration packets and practice tests are available. These tests are administered
at Western Washington University and other sites around the state, and students should register
early because seating at the WWU test site is limited. Waivers for test fees are available to
limited income families.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Most four-year universities begin accepting applications by November. Uniform applications for
the public universities and community colleges in Washington are available in the Career Center.
Students applying to out-of-state colleges or private colleges must contact the desired college for
an application form. All four-year colleges and universities also require an application fee. ALL
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS REQUIRING ACADEMIC INFORMATION TO BE VERIFIED
BY THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE SECRETARY at least two
weeks before the deadline. Students are responsible for mailing applications.
TRANSCRIPTS
There is no charge for official high school transcripts. All students are required to have a signed
transcript release form on file with the Registrar. Transcript release forms and transcript order
forms are available in the Main Office. Completed transcript release and order forms should be
turned in at Main Office. Transcripts may be picked up from the Main Office before school and
during lunch. Transcripts cannot be released if the student owes any fines or overdue books at
Squalicum High.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Students needing letters of recommendation for college applications or scholarships should make
that request of the appropriate counselor or other faculty members at least two weeks ahead of
the deadline. A brochure is available in the Career Center and Counseling Offices that explains
this process.
COLLEGE PLANNING
Students and parents are always welcome to check-out books, guides, and college catalogues
available in the Career Center. In addition, college search and scholarship search computer
programs may be used. Students are invited to meet with college representatives who visit our
campus each school year.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Seniors are provided with extensive information about scholarships. The Career Center assumes
the responsibility of gathering and distributing information to students. It is the student's
responsibility to follow through on investigating these opportunities. The Career Center is
available to assist students and parents. A file of these scholarship opportunities is kept in the
Career Center for student and parent investigation and use.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The required federal form for financial aid is available in December. FAFSA forms may be
obtained in the Career Center.
RUNNING START
Seniors may access the Running Start program at Whatcom Community College or Bellingham
Technical College. Please contact Cindy O'Brien for information. Running Start seniors are
responsible for checking with their counselor regarding graduation status and senior
deadlines. Graduation diplomas for Running Start Seniors may not be released until
September, after grades are submitted by WCC or BTC and posted to transcripts.
GRADUATION
The date for graduation will be Saturday, June 18, 2005. The all night graduation party is being
planned by a group of senior parents who meet regularly. All parents are welcome and needed
for organizing this event.
It is our hope that this will be a wonderful learning year for students. Our goal at Squalicum
High School is to see them graduate in June, 2005, well prepared for their next step in life.
Parents need to be especially aware of student progress during this year.
As the year progresses, if you need our assistance, please don't hesitate to telephone.