Academic Counseling

Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with a school counselor, teacher, or principal to learn about course offerings, the graduation requirements of various programs, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades 8th through 12th will be provided information on anticipated course offerings for the next year and other information that will help to make the most of academic and vocational opportunities.

Qualifying NCCISD 9th - 12th grade students may take dual credit courses from SWTJC.

To plan for the future, including attendance at a college, university, or training school or pursuing some other type of advanced education, students should work closely with the counselor in order to take the high school courses that best prepare them. The counselor can also provide information about entrance exams and deadlines for application, as well as information about automatic admission to state colleges and universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships.

Graduation Plan & Endorsements:

• Endorsements

• Graduation Plan

 

Important College & Career Websites

• Common App Step-by-Step Guide that walks students step-by-step through each question of the Common Application, including why it’s asked and how to best answer. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/common-app-guide/

• FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide that walks students and families through each question of the FAFSA, including screenshots and explanations and a FAQ page for students with special circumstances. Here is the link : https://studentaid.gov/

• Texas Scholarship Directory, a list of 100+ vetted scholarships for students across the state, broken down by month. Here is the link: https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/texas-scholarships/

• Minnie Stevens Piper Compendium – learn about all colleges and universities here!: https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/msp/schools/list/

• College Affordability and Transparency Center : https://collegecost.ed.gov/

• ACT

  The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in: English , Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S

• ApplyTexas

  Admissions and scholarships applications for Texas institutions of higher education.

• College Board 

  The College Board seeks to ensure that every student in the United States has access to a high-quality education and is prepared to succeed in college. Our College Readiness initiatives promote curricula, assessment tools, district and guidance resources that help K-12 students prepare for the academic rigors of higher education. Including: SAT, PSAT, AP, CLEP, and much more.

• College for All Texans

  CollegeForAllTexans.com was launched in 2001 as a portal for students and parents to get information about going to college in Texas.

• Get Ready for College!: https://www.aie.org/ 

• Parent Spot

• Educators Lounge

• Student Hub / College Prep Tools

Other College & Career Websites

•  Texas OnCourse Website   

  As a state-funded initiative to improve college and career readiness the Texas OnCourse mission is to equip all Texas students for an educational and professional future that unlocks their potential. Texas OnCourse empowers you to make decisions that will help your students succeed after high school.  Thousands of students, educators, and schools across Texas use Texas OnCourse resources.

• Fast Web

  Fastweb is an online resource for paying for and preparing for school. It has scholarships for every type of student from the high school freshmen to the returning adult.

• FinAid on the Web

  FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools on or off the web.

• Go College Website

  GoCollege.com is one of the oldest and most trusted resources to guide students on how to finance and succeed in college.

• National Center for Educational Statistics

  The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.

• NCAA - College Athletics

  Founded more than one hundred years ago as a way to protect student-athletes, the NCAA continues to implement that principle with increased emphasis on both athletics and academic excellence.

• O*Net Online

  O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!

• Occupational Outlook Handbook

  U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

  The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.

• TEA - Special Education

  An information site for parents.  It provides parents with information concerning the resources available to them for their students.       

• The Brillante Scholar Foundation

  Our goal is to promote and make higher education accessible for deserving high school students of small, rural schools. The Brillante Scholarship is awarded to exemplary seniors of the graduating class. It is our hope and mission that through this financial award, the opportunity for higher education can be more readily accessible and new leaders can emerge and inspire positive change wherever they go.   

• XAP

  Through this site students explore career and education options, then track their progress as they create successful plans.  (Formerly: Bridges.com)

Testing Info:

• PLAN  All Sophomores may take the PLAN exam in October.
• PSAT/NMSQT  (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). - This test (Practice SAT) is designed to test the verbal and mathematical skills of students. This test is taken during the junior year in preparation for the SAT. National Merit Scholarships are available if the student"s junior level scores qualify him/her to be a Finalist. We are encouraging our college-bound juniors to take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) This assessment offers practice for the SAT, opportunities for scholarships, and information about reading and math skills needed for success in college. NCCISD students or home schooled students eligible to attend school in the district, should register for the test now by contacting the school counselor. The test is offered free of charge to all NCCISD students who wish to take it, but students must register in advance so enough testing booklets will be available on the testing date. Besides the actual test scores, the assessment report will contain information about college majors, with a list of high school courses, related interests and skills, and associated careers. For further information, contact school counselor,
• ASVAB  The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is available to students in grades 11&12. It measures aptitudes and abilities and relates them to specific occupations in civilian and military life. Students are strongly encouraged to take this test to help them make wise career choices. This test is given in the fall.