Senior Parent Meeting
Carmen Coose
High School Counselor
ccoose@lockwood.k12.mo.us
Graduation Requirements
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Communication Arts
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Fine Art
Practical Art
Physical Education
Health
Personal Finance
Electives
4.0 units
3.0 units
3.0 units
3.0 units
1.0 unit
1.0 unit
1.0 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
8.0 units
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TOTAL
25 units
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Graduation Requirements Cont.
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In addition to earning the required credits, graduates must pass
a U.S. Constitution test and a Missouri Constitution test.
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Except for Art, Band, Chorus, Yearbook, and Wellness &
Fitness no classes may be repeated for credit toward
graduation.
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No more than one unit of correspondence credit may be applied
toward academic requirements for graduation. Correspondence
courses must be approved by the building principal and taken
through the University of Missouri at Columbia. The student is
responsible for all correspondence fees.
College Preparatory Certificate
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The Missouri State Board of Education awards the College
Preparatory Studies Certificate (CPSC) to Missouri students who
successfully complete a rigorous academic program in high school.
The certificate is awarded in addition to the regular high school
diploma granted by local school districts. Created by the Board in
1985, the certificate is designed to provide incentive and recognition
for public and non-public high school students who exceed the state’s
minimum graduation requirements. Because the certificate is
awarded by the state, local schools may not add additional
requirements for students to qualify.
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Awarding the College Preparatory Studies Certificate is voluntary on
the part of school districts, and meeting the requirements is voluntary
on the part of the students. While the certificate is primarily intended
as an incentive for college-bound students, those who are not planning
to enter college also may wish to work toward earning the award.
School officials are encouraged to use the program to encourage ALL
students to pursue excellence in their high school studies.
College Preparatory Certificate
Cont.
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To be eligible for the certificate, a student must meet these requirements:
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1. Complete a rigorous high school program cooperatively planned by the
school, the student and the student’s parents. The program must include
at least these units of credit:
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Subjects Units
English/Language Art
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Fine Arts
Practical Arts
Physical Education
Specified Core Electives
General Electives
4
3
2
3
1
1
1
3
6
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Total
24
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College Preparatory Certificate
Cont.
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2. Earn at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), on a 4.0 scale, in
the combined subject areas of English/language arts, mathematics,
science and social studies. The school may calculate GPAs for its
students at the end of the seventh or eighth semester of high school.
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3. Score above the prior year’s national composite average on the
American College Test (ACT) or on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
This criterion is revised annually to reflect the latest national averages
from the ACT and SAT. Check the current year’s certificate order form
for the required minimum scores.
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4. Complete a strong academic program.
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*More information will be available in the Lockwood Planning Guide or
on the school website under the counselor’s button.
Core Requirements
(4 year public colleges)
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4 units English
3 units Math (Algebra I and higher)*
2 units Science (not including Earth Science)*
3 units Social Studies
1 unit PE
1 unit Fine Art
3 units Foreign Language and/or Additional Core
Electives*
*University of MO=4 Math, 3 Science, 2 Foreign Language
Dual Credit
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Dual credit courses are offered for the
following subjects
• English
• Algebra
• Chemistry
• Biology
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There will be a link to dual credit
information on the website under the
counselor’s corner
ACT/SAT
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ACT: Achievement
test that measures
what a student has
learned in school.
• English
• Mathematics
• Reading
• Science
• Writing Test (optional)
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SAT: More of an
aptitude test that tests
reasoning and verbal
abilities.
• Verbal
• Mathematics
• Writing Test
4-year colleges require ACT or SAT
2-year colleges may/may not require (contact Admissions Dept. for each
college to find out)
ACT Information
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ACT Testing Dates
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October 23
December 11
February 12
April 9
June 11
Cost of ACT test is $33
ACT Writing Test is
additional $15 (few colleges
are requiring the writing test
at this time)
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Registration packets and
practice test booklets are
available in LHS Counseling
Office or online at
www.actstudent.org
Be sure to include your
school code 262020 when
asked for it
Resources for selecting
a college:
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Contact College
Admissions offices
College websites
College
catalogs/literature
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Monthly Senior
Newsletters
College
representative visits
to LHS
College campus
visits
College planning tips www.actstudent.org/planning
Information for parents www.act.org/path/parent
College Applications
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Fall semester of senior year ideal time to apply
Most require a $ fee
High school transcripts (GPA, class rank)
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Unofficial (photocopy of transcript you send yourself)
Official (sealed and stamped copy Mrs. Coose has to
send for you)
Tell Mrs. Coose when you are applying to a college so
she can send an official transcript to that school.
NCAA Clearinghouse
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Athletic Division I and II
Colleges/Universities
If you hope to play a sport in college,
apply with NCAA after spring semester
of junior year or first semester of senior
year
• Requires:
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Core Curriculum, ACT, GPA, Rank
Apply online at:
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
Scholarships
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Most available during senior year
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College specific scholarships
Athletic/performance scholarships
General scholarships
Local scholarships
Any scholarships that come through Mrs. Coose’s office are
posted in the newsletter and on the school website under
Counseling Center. Go to www.lockwoodschools.org
Click on High, Counselor’s Corner.
DEADLINES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
Scholarship Search Websites
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www.fastweb.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegeview.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.fastaid.com
www.mach25.collegenet.com
www.xap.com
Financial Aid
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Seniors planning to attend college are expected to
complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid) as soon as your 2010 taxes are completed
(January/February.)
Informational Parent meeting in late January regarding
the FAFSA to help with this process.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
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Application for federal grants, loans, and some scholarships
Requires income tax information for 2010 year
Encouraged to apply online www.fafsa.ed.gov
Obtain PIN # anytime between now and January at
www.pin.ed.gov
A+ Program
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Graduates of designated A+ schools
who successfully complete the
requirements of the program may be
eligible to receive two years of state-paid
tuition to attend any Missouri public
community college or technical school.
Benefits
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Students who successfully complete the
requirements of the program are eligible to
receive two years of paid tuition at any
Missouri public community college or technical
school. Participants are under no obligation to
use the A+ tuition incentive. The tuition
incentive is earned by each individual and is
not transferable to any other student. Financial
need is not a factor in determining student
eligibility for the A+ tuition incentive.
Participants will have up to four years (from the
date of high school graduation) to access the
A+ tuition incentive.
Student Eligibility Requirements for
the A+ Program
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The A+ tuition benefit may be made available
on the condition that a student meets or
exceed the following requirements:
Sign the A+ Participation Agreement by the
end of the first semester of the senior year.
Attend Lockwood R-I High School or another
A+ designated school for 3 consecutive years
prior to high school graduation.
Graduate from high school with a cumulative
GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher.
Student Eligibility Requirements for
the A+ Program
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Graduate with a 95% attendance average
over a four-year period.
Perform a total of 50 hours of approved,
district-supervised, unpaid tutoring.
Maintain a record of good citizenship and
avoid the unlawful use of drugs/alcohol.
File a completed FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Financial Aid) upon enrollment to
college.
Register for selective services, if applicable.
A+ Program Enrollment
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Participation in the A+ program is voluntary. Students
may participate in the program by completing and
returning the A+ Participation Agreement Form.
Students should try to begin their participation in the A+
program at the beginning of their freshman year.
Enrolling in the program early allows students and
parents to focus on the goals of the program.
Students may still enroll in the A+ program as seniors as
long as all criteria can still be met, but they must register
by the end of the 1st semester.
Technical School
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Please follow the guidelines on the
resources for selecting a college slide
If you are interested in attending a
technical school please visit with me.
Career Entry
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Create a Resume
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Resume Workshops will be held during English Classes
Practice Filling out Job Applications
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Examples can be found in the Counselor’s Office
Work on Interview Questions
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Use Internet
Examples of Questions can be found in the Counselor’s
Office
Actively use Resources to Start Job Search
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Newspaper
Internet
Senior Parent Meeting
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Being a senior is an exciting time for high
school students, but can be a nerve-racking
time for parents as they begin to make critical
college decisions. Below is a timeline for
parents to follow in helping seniors stay on
track with deadlines and upcoming events.
Any scholarship opportunities that come
through Mrs. Coose’s office will be posted in
her monthly newsletters. These are in paper
form outside her office door, or online at
www.lockwoodschools.org (click on the
Counselor’s Corner.)
Senior Parent/Student Calendar
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September:
Pick up monthly newsletter from Mrs. Coose or view it on
the LHS Counselor’s Corner website.
Contact colleges to request applications and financial aid
information.
Register for October ACT and/or SAT exams (view
college website or contact college admissions office to
see which test they require. Some community colleges/2year schools do not require an ACT score.)
Use the Internet to begin searching for scholarships (a list
is provided on the LHS Counselor’s Corner website.)
Senior Parent/Student Calendar
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October/November/December:
Pick up monthly newsletter from Mrs. Coose or view it on the
LHS Counselor’s Corner website.
Watch deadlines.
Schedule campus visits of colleges you are considering (pick
up prearranged absence form ahead of time from the
counselor’s office.)
Continue researching scholarship opportunities online.
Work on essays for college admissions.
Apply for admission to your selected colleges (Make sure you
have sent an official copy of your transcript)
Take ACT or SAT exams.
Senior Parent/Student Calendar
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January:
Pick up monthly newsletter from Mrs. Coose or view it on
the LHS Counselor’s Corner website.
Prepare income tax return as soon as possible.
Attend financial aid informational meeting at LHS in late
January/early February (this meeting is to provide help
with completing the FAFSA—Free Application for Federal
Student Aid.)
Obtain your PIN and complete the FAFSA online.
Register for the February ACT (if needed.)
Senior Parent/Student Calendar
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February/March:
Pick up monthly newsletter from Mrs. Coose or
view it on the LHS Counselor’s Corner
website.
File all applications for admission,
scholarships, and financial aid on time. Be
mindful of deadlines.
Acceptance letters and financial aid award
letters should be arriving in the mail if you
haven’t received them yet.
Senior Parent Calendar
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April/May/June
Pick up monthly newsletter from Mrs. Coose or
view it on the LHS Counselor’s Corner
website.
Compare financial aid award letters from each
school where you have been accepted.
Make your final choice of school. Notify that
school of your decision, and let Mrs. Coose
know where you plan to attend so your final
transcript can be sent.