Resources

 

Merritt school calender 2024-2025

WTC Calendar 2024-2025

ACT - Basic Info ..... School code & fee waiver info!

Go to www.myact.org to register for the ACT test.  When filling out your registration form, Merritt High School's school code is 371210.

ACT fee waivers are available in the High School Counselor's office for those who are eligible.  Not sure if you qualify?  Click Here to read the updated ACT fee waiver information.

Remember, there is no limit to the number of times you can take the ACT test.  It is best tyu take it early and give yourself time for any additional retakes to improve your score.

I highly recommend you select two to three colleges to receive your ACT scores each time you test and you select the option to send superscores. Scores can be shared with schools later; however, it will come with an additional cost to the student.  The price is currently $19 dollars each time you send scores after the test date or $30 if test is more than three years old.

READY TO SIGN UP?  START HERE to find Registration Information, Test Dates, Calculator Policies, Costs, and more.

ACt - on-campus (residual) test

The ACT On-Campus test is an alternative to the ACT test that enables colleges to proctor and immediately self-score an ACT test form any day of the week, on their campus.  Scores can only be used at that campus, and testing is limited to students who are in the application process, have been admitted, or have enrolled at your institution.  Check your colleges of interest to discover when they offer On-Campus testing.

This could be taken on your College Day/Campus Visit if necessary.

act study & test Prep

24-25 - Preparing for the ACT Test


Free Resources from ACT.org ... and this is just a beginning!

Free ACT Test Prep

English Test Tips & Practice Questions

Math Test Tips & Practice Questions

Reading Test Tips & Practice Questions

Science Test Tips & Practice Questions

Writing Test Tips & Practice Questions



Free Official Practice Tests  ...

Test information, Directions, Full-Length Practice Tests with Correct Answers

Click here to visit the site




Chad Cargill Test Prep Workshop & Podcast

Chad Cargill is an Oklahoma, 1st generation college graduate who took the ACT 18 times, raised his score from a 19 to a 32, and now studies the ACT and its data to create tips and strategies to better prepare students to effectively tackle the ACT. 


Merritt High School students (in "normal" years) may sign up to attend his workshop held at Western Technology Center in Burns Flat.  Mr. Cargill teaches general strategies as well as breaks down each test, teaching tips from timing, selecting the "most correct" option, and providing question numbers that correlate to each subject and topic from the Preparing for the ACT Test booklets above.  Sign ups to attend Mr. Cargill's workshop are generally in October and cost $40.  His test prep book is optional but available for $30 on the day of the workshop.


*NEW*  Chad has published two seasons of Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep Podcast.  Listen on your own or with your friends. 


Here are a few of his General Tips and Strategies, shared with permission, to get you started until you can get to a workshop!

1. Take as many ACT tests as you can. (Episode 1)

2. The ACT is beatable.

3. There are generalities to every test.

4. Take residual (now called the On Campus) tests at your local college or university.

5. Don't stay up late the night before cramming for the test.

6. Treat the ACT morning like a regular school day.  ... Don't roll out of bed 15 min before the test. ;)

7. Use the bathroom before the test. (Episode 6)

8. Answer every question; leave no blanks! ... (A or D)

9. Always have a watch and keep exact time while taking the test. (Episode 10)

10. If you think you are doing badly; DON'T WORRY; everyone else is too.

11. Do not read the directions before each section. (Episode 31)

12. Always order a copy of your tests and answers when available. (Episode 4)


Your Test Day Checklist - What You Must Bring to the ACT (Episode 37)

Credit & Source: Chad Cargill

AVAILABLE COUNSELING SERVICES

Our school counselors are available to provide the following services to students, parents, school staff, and the community.

  Direct Services for Students:

Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students.  Counselors are available for specific student needs, as well as, for attendance interventions, testing needs and interpretations, and educational opportunities.

School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.  

Responsive services are activities designed to meet students' immediate needs and concerns.  Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.  Merritt Schools have staff trained as Critical Response Team Members and are available to assist surrounding schools when necessary. 

The curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitude, and skills appropriate for their developmental level.  The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school’s overall curriculum and is systematically presented by school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators in PreK-12 classroom and group activities. 

Indirect Services for Students:

Indirect Services are services provided on behalf of the students’. The school counselors will interact with others in making referrals for additional assistance, as well as consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations to best monitor and address the needs of our students.

(American School Counselor Association)

BULLYING

"Bullying, harassment, and intimidation" means any gesture, written or verbal expression, electronic communication, or physical act that a reasonable person should know will harm another student, damage another student's property, place another student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or damage to the student's property, or insult or demean any student or group of students in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of a student.

Students and personnel are to immediately report observered or suspected bullying to the instructor and/or administration. The report will be investigated and any appropriate action taken, which may include suspension from school for students found to hav violated this policy.  Depending on the situation it may also be necessary to report the incident to law enforcement authorities.

Merritt Schools has made available an anonymous CyberBullying hotline for students and staff: the StopIt app.  This can be used to report any form of bullying or a threat to specific students or the school in general. Additionally, the app can be used to report illegal activity. 

COLLEGE DAYS/CAMPUS VISIT SUGGESTIONS

Seniors are permitted a college day for the purpose of making a visitation to the institution of their choice. Students must have an ACT on file for his/her request to be considered.  The senior must get the required paperwork from Ms. Joanie in the HS office one to three days Before the visit is scheduled.  You will have each teacher sign it, return it to her (before you leave!), and then bring back proper documentation to the signed by the school showing you visited the campus.  Career Tech students must also complete the WTC Activity Sheet (the pink sheet) before leaving.  You will be charged an absence in the computer unless proper documentation is returned in the appropriate time frame.  Once documentation is submitted, it can then be changed to an Activity absence and not count against your semester exemption.


*Due to Covid-19, be sure to call ahead to verify colleges/universities/tech centers are allowing visitors on campus before making the trip there.


Virtual Campus Tours

Oklahoma colleges and universities invite students and families to visit their campuses virtually! With this centralized list of virtual tours, students can easily explore schools they’re interested in attending. (OKcollegestart.org)


COLLEGE FAIRS

Thankfully, the Chamber of Commerce in Elk City hosts a College Fair each fall at the Civic Center.  Representatives from area universities, technical schools, and military branches are available for you to visit.  If you have a specific school you would like to research or speak with, come see me and we will find a name and number for you to call.

COMMUNICATION & COURTESY

Whether you are going to work, a trade school, college, or the military, communication is KEY!  Make a point to start contacting schools and employers.  What are their admissions or hiring requirements? How do you apply? 


There will be many things you need from your teachers, principals, and counselor this year: transcripts sent, GPA updates, ACT dates, letters of recommendation, and then and then and then.  Communicate politely, and communicate Early! Transcripts and grades can be sent in a day; however, a good letter of recommendation may take a week or two. Don’t wait until the last minute. 


Before requesting a letter of recommendation, tell the person for what you are applying and ask if they would be able and/or willing to write a positive letter.  If their answer is no, respect and thank them for their honesty, ask someone else, consider what changes you may need to make, and use it to better yourself.  If their answer is yes, respect and thank them for their time and give them a timeframe in which you need it.  


Remember: Use your manners, and consider what and how you want to be perceived Before you say something.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

Concurrent high school enrollment refers to eligible juniors and seniors who enroll in college courses and earn both high school and college credit.


Concurrent enrollment is an important academic decision and should be carefully considered. This resource has been created to help you and your young adult determine if this is the right decision for him/her.


For up-to-date resources and information, check out this website!

Concurrent Standards and Requirements



Merritt students typically take concurrent classes through Western Oklahoma State College or Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  Each school has similar application and enrollment requirements; however, it is important students and parents research each campus and degree plans to determine the best for his/her student ... and complete the required paperwork before each semester.



Western Oklahoma State University (WOSC) - Altus, Oklahoma

Concurrent Information: Admission Requirements, Applications & Enrollment Procedure, Tuition Waiver information, and More!

Degree Plans


Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) - Weatherford, Oklahoma

Concurrent Information - Application Procedure & Forms

Degree Plans


Official transcripts and test scores must be uploaded/sent by a school official for a student's Concurrent Application to be considered complete.


Keep in Mind ... students who enroll in concurrent courses are expected to assume responsibility for his/her organization, pacing, and execution of required assignments and assessments and are considered "adults" according to the college/university/institution.  Colleges assume all students are full-time college students until he/she self-identifies as a high school concurrent student.  We encourage concurrent students to send an email to each professor/instructor at the beginning of each semester to introduce yourself and let them know you are a high school student taking concurrent classes.  Communication is essential to successful online coursework.  (Helpful hint: Read Communication & Manners above.)

FSA ID - FEDERAL STUDENT AID IDENTIFICATION

The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn’t be created or used by anyone other than you—not even your parent, your child, a school official, or a loan company representative. You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and for the lifetime of your federal student loans. (StudentAid.gov


For more information &/or to Create your FSA ID, click www.studentaid.gov.  

Refer to the picture below to Create your FSA ID in Six Simple Steps!


Don't wait until October 1 to create your FSA ID.  

Do it today.


FAFSA - FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and ALL seniors are encouraged to submit an application. Merritt School holds a FAFSA Night the each year to help you apply!  Representatives from SWOSU will be here to answer questions and help families complete their FAFSA.  We will meet in the high school; parents & students need:



For more information &/or to Start Your FAFSA, click www.studentaid.gov.  

Refer to the picture below to Complete your FAFSA in Four Easy Steps!


OKLAHOMA COLLEGES - RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

The Oklahoma College Guide is a resource shared with me and is another good starting place for researching Oklahoma Colleges, degree programs, and occupational growth potential.   They also have a section committed to Scholarships and Grants available to Oklahoma students!

OKLAHOMA PROMISE

Oklahoma's Promise is an income-based scholarship opportunities for students who meet academic and conduct requirements!


REQUIREMENTS:


I recommend all students and families submit an Oklahoma Promise application, even if you believe you may not qualify.  In the last year, we have seen first hand how quickly situations (and incomes) can change.  


*Also important ... Students who apply &/or qualify for Oklahoma Promise and then move to another school district in Oklahoma must submit the online form ASAP to keep contact information up to date at the Oklahoma Promise office.

OTAG - OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANT PROGRAM

The Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) is a need-based grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend eligible colleges, universities and career technology centers in Oklahoma. Awards are approved for full-time or part-time undergraduate students.

Application:

Application is made through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available through high school counselors, the financial aid office at the college you are planning to attend, or at FAFSA.gov. For best consideration, you should complete and submit the FAFSA to the federal student aid application system as soon as possible after the application becomes available. IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. Typically, OTAG receives more eligible applications than can be awarded with available funds, and how early a student applies may be the deciding factor in whether that student is offered an OTAG award.

Eligibility:

Financial need is measured by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is determined based on the information the student provides on their FAFSA. The SAI appears on the FAFSA Submission Summary sent to students by the U.S. Department of Education once the FAFSA has been processed. Basic requirements for OTAG include the eligibility to receive a Pell grant in the current academic term.

Many students meet the basic eligibility requirements; however, funds are limited. State funding is usually finalized around the end of May each year. Eligible institutions are then notified of the amount allocated to each school for the award year. Each institution makes the final selection of recipients on school-determined eligibility requirements and with consideration of the funding level each school is to receive.

Credit & Source: OK College Start

Students' right to confidentiality

School counselors make every effort to maintain confidentiality at all costs.  Information students share 

will remain remain confidential except in the case of 


transcripts

Order Transcripts

Merritt HS has partnered with Parchment to order and send your transcript and other credentials securely. This link will open a new browser.


Pricing for fulfilling transcript requests are subject to change and as follows:

online (free) practice tests

March2Success is a free interactive online study program designed to help students prepare for standardized tests, improve school work, and review materials.  Online test preparation and practice exams include:

ACT MCAT PAX PSB-RN Health and Wellness State Assessments

SAT DAT TEAS STEM subjects College Prep


Your MyACT Dashboard gives access to ACT:

Prep Guides Online Tutoring Question of the Day

Self-Paced courses Free online Practice Tests Sample Test Questions