School Counseling
Seniors
This is an important year in regards to what the year after high school will look like for you.
September - meet with School Counselor and MiAdvisor to discuss your college plans. Go over your SAT or ACT scores with the School Counselor to determine if you need to retake these tests.
October - Complete College applications, financial aid (https://fafsa.ed.gov/) and scholarship applications. Retake the SAT or ACT if necessary.
December - Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Financial aid is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
April - Decide which program or college to attend. Send in your housing deposit, sign and return award letters, and as a courtesy, notify the other colleges of your decision.
Apply to at least 3 colleges and include your dream college. Now is the time to visit those programs and colleges as well. Please contact Mr. Teekamp or Ms. Wilson with questions.
Please give the School Counselor a copy of your college acceptance letters. These are helpful in obtaining Promise Zone $.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET WHERE YOU'RE GOING?
Will you apply to a Vocational Program, a Trade Program/apprentiship, a College or University, a Community College or join a branch of the Military? Please make an appointment in the counseling office to discuss your future and choose courses in preparation for your desired career pathway.
High School students have the opportunity to enroll in a College and Technical Education (CTE) program http://www.berriencte.org/ or register for college courses while still in high school. See Mr. Teekamp for more info.
Test Festival for High School
SAT April 10, 2018
WorkKeys April 11, 2018
MME April 2018
PSAT 9 April 10, 2018
PSAT 10 April 10, 2018
ASVAB April 10, 2018
Check your scores after they are released at College Board https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/. You need an account for your results. College Board is a resource you may use to: practice for the PSAT or SAT, see scores, send SAT scores to colleges, and much more.
Students can access free College Board resources to get to know the test and start practicing:
• For SAT practice resources, visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice and https://www.khanacademy.org/ for personalized practice.
• For more in-depth look at the kinds of questions that will be on the redesigned SAT, visit http://https//collegereadiness.collegeboard.org
• For test day tips and policies- visit http://https//collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
Scholarships and Grants for College/Trade School
There are many opportunities for you to obtain grants and scholarships to help ease the cost of post-high school education. Please see college and scholarship bulletin boards near the high school office regularly, check the scholarship book in Mr. Teekamp's office and check college websites. The more scholarships and grants you apply for the more money you will be eligible to receive. Below are several websites to check out.
https://myscholly.com/#scholly Phone App cost is $2.99
http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid
https://www.facebook.com/mistudentaid
https://twitter.com/mistudentaid
http://www.cmich.edu/cmulead Central Michigan University
http://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/scholarships http://www.michigan.gov/ssg
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/scholarship Scholarship Search
https://www.moneysavingpro.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-college-scholarships/ Additional resource
See Mr. Teekamp, binder and bulletin board for other scholarships
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
All colleges and trade schools require you to fill this out. Seniors who plan on attending any sort of post-high school education need to do this on-line with a parent or guardian. It does take time to fill out. Remember, it requires parent tax information, you may estimate the numbers if you have not received your tax papers yet. Open application opens October 1 and the Deadline to submit the FASFA is MARCH 1. The earlier you submit, the better chance to receive money. Below is the link to the Michigan.gov site. www.michigan.gov%2fssg&tabid=90&mid=455
View this YouTube Video of the previous First Lady regarding the importance of FAFSA
Freshman: OFF to College Program
A free high school program that prepares YOU for your future. It requires a 2-3 year commitment from you and your family. During your sophomore, junior and senior years, you and your family will participate in monthly seminars at Lake Michigan College. The seminars will teach you how to be a successful college student. Only 30 students will be chosen who are high school freshmen, have a 2.5 GPA and have an IEP or 504 Plan. Applications are due by March 15th.
Grief Support Group
This group is offered in coordination with Countryside and Lory's Place to 3rd to 12th grade beginning in October. Group meets once a month during lunch. See schedule posted in the hallways near the office. The group is a safe place to heal from the loss of a loved one. Parent/Guardian permission slips are necessary. Sign up here Online Application Form or paper applications can be obtained in the jr./sr. high office.
See Mr. Teekamp for more information.
Teenage Girls
"Discover who you really are and develop all you're created to be"
Click on link for more information
Social Networking
Beware of the dangers of social networking. Learn about human trafficking here: www.michigan.gov/humantrafficking
Michigan Child Protection Registry
The Michigan Child Protection Registry, accessible at www.ProtectMiChild.com is a free do-not-contact service the state offers to prevent advertising for adult products and industries such as alcohol, tobacco, pornography and gambling from reaching email addresses, mobile phones and instant messenger IDs in order to protect families and children. Created by the Michigan Legislature in 2004.
Parents and guardians may protect your children and families from unwanted adult advertising by registering on the site at www.ProtectMiChild.com
Are You a Successful Countryside Academy Student?
Do you want to be? Is making positive decisions hard for you? Do you forget to turn in your homework on time? Do you find yourself getting in trouble with your teacher or other adults or students? Regardless how hard it is to make positive choices, the bottom line is, what you do today will affect your tomorrow. Ask your parents, guardians, positive role models, teachers and the counselor for help on being a better you.
Make the right choices, be kind to others, help other people, get involved and be proud.
Need some inspiration to get through high school, see this video:
Countryside Academy Has Chosen Parchment for all Transcript Requests
Send your official transcript anywhere in the world with just a few clicks!
Student, parents, and alumni can use Parchment, the leader in eTranscript exchange, to send high school transcripts electronically, securely and confidentially, all with real-time tracking.
To order your transcript, click the big ORDER YOUR TRANSCRIPT banner below. The first thing you’ll do is create an account, then you’ll place your order, and then you can track your order 24/7.
Current students and alumni
Visit http://www.parchment.com/studentkit/ to access the Parchment Student Tool Kit Containing:
• · Video Tutorials
• · User Guides
• · Frequently Asked Questions
• · Support Resources
Colleges and universities prefer to receive transcripts electronically through Parchment!
Direct any questions or concerns to Mike Teekamp
mteekamp@countrysideacademy.org
(269) 944-3319 ext. 137