Email Etiquette

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Transcripts & Student Records

DuVal High School staff members do not distribute transcripts and student records. 

Please click here to order transcripts and student records.

Looking For A Job?

Please read this message for a job with the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery!

I hope the 25-26 school year is off to a great start! I am an Education Specialist at the National Portrait Gallery who focuses on teens and growing the next generation of museum professionals. I have some great opportunities for area.

Last year's Teen Museum Council won a grant from the American Women's History Initiative Pool at the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum that is allowing us to develop a pilot program for a network of high school museum clubs. If there is a group of students passionate about History, Art or Civics at your school, we would love to see if we could start a club together in Spring of AY 2025-2026! Please email hammellsh@si.edu or call 202-710-8413 with inquiries.

Teen Museum Council is an intensive program for D.C.-area teens (grades  9–12) who are interested in developing leadership skills, learning about themselves through portraiture, art and making the Portrait Gallery an engaging place for teenagers. Teen Museum Council, also known as TMC, is a program for teens by teens to foster more interest in museums and create community for local teens. TMC members have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities. These include creating teen-centered events and participating in workshops and training sessions with professionals in the arts. In the process, they will gain experience at the museum while developing creative and critical thinking skills. Teen Museum Council meets in-person once a week during the school year and requires a year-long commitment. Students will receive community service hours for active participation and a $1000 honorarium at the conclusion of the academic year. The application has been extended to September 1st. Please share with interested teens in your lives! 

Have a great fall,

Sahtiya Hosoda Hammell

Sahtiya Hosoda Hammell (she/her/hers)

Education Specialist | Teen Programs

Smithsonian

National Portrait Gallery

hammellsh@si.edu  |  202.710.8413 cell | 202.633.5572

Girls Who Code Summer Programs Accepting Applications!

Girls Who Code’s Summer Programs are back! 9th-12th grade girls and non-binary students are invited to apply.

With two exciting options , you can choose the adventure that fits your vibe:

Join the ultimate summer squad in the Summer Immersion Program (SIP)! Over two weeks, you’ll design and build your own computer games, make new friends, and connect with mentors. Plus, get insider college and career tips from industry pros—all in live virtual classrooms!

Learn at your own pace with Pathways! You'll explore cutting-edge tech like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science through step-by-step video tutorials and real-world projects. Connect with industry pros and join an exclusive Discord community along the way!

Apply here by April 11! Need more info? Join a webinar or email us at summer@girlswhocode.com.

The Level Up Entrepreneur and Leadership Bootcamp

The Level Up Entrepreneur and Leadership Bootcamp is a dynamic and immersive 5-week program designed to equip youth from the ages of 14-18 with the mindset, skills, and experience needed to become successful entrepreneurs and impactful leaders.\

Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world projects, participants will develop essential business acumen, leadership abilities, and problem-solving skills to launch their own ventures or lead effectively in any career path.

Key Program Details:

Application Information located at www.ucappgc.org!

Dates: Starting July 7, 2025 - August 4, 2025

Location: United Communities Against Poverty- 1400 Doewood Ln, Capitol Heights, Md 20747

Eligibility: Ages 14-18 with a passion for entrepreneurship or industry leadership

Application Deadline: April 15, 2025 

Flyer and application details are located below!

ACCUPLACER Registration Has Opened!

Are you a student interested in taking the ACCUPLACER exam? Please read this message from Mr. Park, our Testing Coordinator!

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PGCPS is offering students the opportunity to earn college credit, while still in high school, through the Dual Enrollment Program.  PGCPS will pay tuition for all students dually enrolled in qualified courses at any Maryland public college or university.

In order to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in a Prince George's County Public School, AND

• Be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade, AND

• Have a minimum 2.6 cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) with prior qualifying test scores (ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT) for their desired institution (minimum admissions test score requirements vary at each college) OR have a minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.

We will be administering the ACCUPLACER during the week of February 24th to 10th and 11th grade students who have the required GPA (cumulative 2.6 or higher) only.  If you would like to take the ACCUPLACER, you must register by Friday, February 14, 2025 by filling out the form below.  You must be signed into your school account.

2024-2025 DuVal HS Spring ACCUPLACER Registration

Any student who registers but does not meet the criteria listed above will NOT be scheduled to take the ACCUPLACER.

Students who have a minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA or students who have already met the qualifying test scores (for example, they took the ACCUPLACER last year and got the scores they needed) do NOT have to take the ACCUPLACER again, unless they want to.

Getting a higher score on the ACCUPLACER may open up more courses for them to take in Dual Enrollment.  Getting a lower score will not hurt them since they will use their highest score.

For more information about Dual Enrollment, go to PGCPS Dual Enrollment.

For more information about ACCUPLACER, go to https://studentportal.accuplacer.org.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  Thank you!

-Mr. Park, augustine.park@pgcps.org

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Scholarship and Internship Opportunity

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is offering an exciting opportunity for high school students: the World Food Prize Global Challenge Paper. This challenge encourages students to research global issues like food security, water scarcity, and agriculture, and submit a 3-5 page research paper.

Benefits of participation include:

• Scholarships and internships

• Conference opportunities

• Up to $1,000 in awards

• Networking with local and national experts

• Students can also present their findings at the Maryland Youth Institute, gaining valuable recognition and exposure.

For more information or to get involved, visit: World Food Prize Maryland

For information about other programs with this organization, click here. 

For any questions, contact Diamond Nwaeze (dcnwaeze@umes.edu) or Theresa Maggio (temaggio1@umes.edu).

This is a fantastic way for students to enhance their resumes and contribute to important global issues!

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Pre-College Program Virtual Fair

The Association for Pre-College Program Directors is proud to present the Summer 2025 Pre-College Programs Virtual Fair, a virtual event that provides students and their families the opportunity to learn about academic summer programs at top US colleges and universities. At the fair, attendees may visit virtual booths, where you can ask questions via text or video chat with summer program representatives. Registration is free to attendees.

2025 Summer Pre-College Program Fair

Saturday, January 11th, 2025

11am-1pm EST

REGISTER NOW

Representatives from UMass Amherst Pre-College Programs will be at the event. Any questions about the event can be directed to fairs@precollegeassociation.org.  

Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)

The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) combines concepts in environmental studies, ecology and leadership, with a mission of developing socially responsible leaders. At BELL, you’ll embark on a journey of learning and reflection while building community with the fellow student environmentalists in your program.

Please click here for more information! Application opens Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

First Generation College Bound Program Opportunity

First Generation College Bound focuses on working with students who are first generation and come from a low to moderate income background. In our program, we have 1 on 1 academic advisement, provide SAT information/fee waivers, have workshops, and go to college tours. In their senior year, we will help with the college application process and provide information on scholarship and grants. 

FGCB Eligibility:

• Must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

• Must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

• Must have the desire to attend college.

• Must be a first-generation student or have low to moderate income.

Interest Link  (Please use your Personal Email):

https://fgcb.tfaforms.net/5

Please let me know if you have any questions! Thank you. 

Best,

Jennifer Gonzales

College Access Coach

First Generation College Bound, Inc.

8101 Sandy Spring Road, Suite 230

Laurel, MD 20707

Office: 301-490-0911

Cell: 240-755-1132

jgonzales@fgcb.org

www.FGCB.org

Universities Are Opening Applications for Pre-College Programs!

What are Pre-College Programs?

Pre-college programs are specialized academic opportunities offered by universities and colleges for high school students, typically rising juniors and seniors, to engage in college-level coursework, explore potential majors, and experience campus life. These programs are designed to help students prepare for the transition to higher education by providing valuable exposure to the demands of college academics, as well as offering a chance to develop critical thinking, time management, and study skills. Additionally, students can gain insight into various career fields, connect with peers and mentors, and enhance their college applications by demonstrating a commitment to their education and future career aspirations. With applications for summer 2025 opening soon, this is a great opportunity for students to get a head start on their college journey, broaden their academic horizons, and build a strong foundation for success. Please see the information below for universities offering pre-college programs for rising juniors!

Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs

Summer Applications are OPEN!

Carnegie Mellon University is offering unique Pre-College Programs for rising juniors and seniors in high school. These programs provide hands-on learning in areas such as Architecture, Art, Computational Biology, Design, Drama, Music, Game Development, Writing, and more. Students can gain valuable experience and prepare for their college careers.

Programs range from 3 to 6 weeks, with virtual Discover Sessions available starting December 11. Limited scholarships are available for some programs. Additionally, there are fully funded, merit-based opportunities for students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Application Deadline: February 2025

Eligibility: Students must be 16 by June 21, 2025

For more details, visit the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College website.

For questions, contact Marjorie C. Dawkins at precollege@andrew.cmu.edu or call (412) 268-2082.

College Visits and Fairs

Students are allowed 3 excused absences for college visits! Additionally, DuVal High School hosts 2 college fairs each school year for free! Please check your emails and this page for upcoming college visits and fairs at DuVal High School or within the community!

Testing Preparation

MCAP Preparation

Please click here to access MCAP Practice Tests.

SAT Preparation

These organizations provide SAT preparation materials. Costs may vary:

• Khan Academy

• Test Prep Review

• The Princeton Review

• McGraw-Hill

• Kaplan

• TestPrepPractice.net

• Varsity Tutors

College Board

College Board provides free practice tests for the SAT and ACCUPLACER. Students can access their College Board account through their Clever Portal.

Scholarships

It is never too early to start looking for ways to fund college!

Websites

Please review these websites for scholarship opportunities.

Maryland Higher Education Commission

https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides a number of state grants, scholarships, and loan assistance repayment programs for eligible Maryland residents.

Fastweb

Fastweb.com 

Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid news and resources. There goal is to help you find scholarships to make college and trade school more affordable.

Bold.org

Bold.org

Their goal is to fight student debt by building alongside students and donors, moving quickly, and taking ownership as part of a global remote team.

Niche

Niche.com

Niche is a free scholarship platform that aligns scholarships to your student's interests and experience.

United Negro College Fund

Uncf.org/scholarships

UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. Each year, we award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country, including our prestigious network of 37 HBCUs.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

https://www.tmcf.org/students-alumni/scholarships/

TMCF Scholarships are designed to relieve the financial burden of students attending a TMCF member school or other eligible accredited colleges or universities. The scholarship process is highly competitive. Most scholarships are one-time, non-renewable scholarships unless otherwise indicated.