What is the difference between the SATs and the ACTs?
The highest level of math content that students will encounter on the SAT is Algebra 2 whereas the ACT will include questions requiring Pre-Calculus knowledge. While the SAT tests for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing as well as Math, the ACT tests both aforementioned areas as well as science. Students taking the SAT will receive a score out of 1600 which includes all sections. The ACT provides students with a composite score out of 36 to include sub-scores in the areas of English, Math, Reading, and Science.
What does test-optional mean in regard to the college admissions process?
Many colleges are test-optional with an increase that coincided with the pandemic. This means that applicants may choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores to a college or university admissions office. Colleges do not penalize students for choosing this option and weigh other pieces of the application more heavily if the student decides to take this path. Students can choose to send their scores to some of the colleges to which they are applying and not to others. If a student has questions about whether or not to send their scores to a specific college, they should ask their school counselor for advice. See FairTest.org for more details as to whether or not a school is test-optional.
What is the difference between College Preparatory, Honors, and Advanced Placement/UCONN ECE/Project Lead the Way?
College Preparatory courses are general academic courses. As is a part of the name, these classes assist in preparing students for life after high school as they challenge students to think critically and independently. Honors courses are a step up from College Preparatory in regard to rigor. Students will review the same content as peers who are enrolled in College Preparatory level courses, but at a faster pace and/or a bit more in depth. Our Advanced Placement, UCONN: Early College Experience, and Project Lead the Way classes are college articulated courses and are in all cases aside from Advanced Placement, considered to be dual enrollment classes. This means that students receive credit for these classes both at the high school level as well as at the college level. The rigor of these offerings is that of a college-level course and the workload is reflective of this. Students who take on an honors or advanced level class benefit from this in respect to GPA with a boost of .3 at the honors level and .5 at the advanced level.
What qualifies as community service? What does not constitute community service?
Community service must be completed without pay for a non-profit organization in order to be considered. Examples include: Goodwill, animal shelter, church affiliated, food pantry, etc. If the service has not been completed for a non-profit organization, students must receive approval from a school counselor to ensure that the service would count toward the thirty hour graduation requirement. Community Service Documentation Form
How many years of a foreign language should I complete in addition to the one-year state-mandated graduation requirement?
School counselors recommend students complete three levels of the same language if the student is college-bound. Colleges vary in preference regarding years of a foreign language completed. Students who are ready to apply having completed three levels may have more opportunities when researching colleges.
My child is struggling in class. Who should I contact?
The recommendation is to reach out directly to the teacher of the course(s) that your student is struggling with. This professional can most easily provide feedback as to how your student is doing and what they are seeing. Staff Directory
School counselors are always here to support families. With that said, counselors don't have a first-hand perspective as to what is going on in the classroom.
How do I request a copy of my child's transcript?
You can utilize the counseling website in order to process this request. There are multiple reasons that a family would need to request their student's transcript and each request process can be found by visiting the associated tab on the counseling website. For example, there is a Google Form to request transcripts be sent to the NCAA under this section of the counseling website. For college transcript requests, visit the Publications and Forms section on the counseling website. For graduate transcripts or education verifications, visit the Graduated Student Transcript Request section.
What is Naviance and how do I access it?
Naviance is a program that the school counselors utilize with students for a multitude of purposes. Your student's counselor will begin integrating Naviance into the curriculum freshman year. Early on, students utilize this program to complete inventories that provide insight into personality and learning styles. Students can log into this program from home through the utilization of single sign-on. Students will employ the program more frequently and in-depth beginning junior year to complete some college-planning tasks. Naviance Log In for Students
How do I go about planning for course selection?
The school counseling department shares the Opportunities Book with students beginning in January each year. A PDF of this document is posted to the school website as well as the school counseling website for students and parents to review. The Opportunities Book includes our graduation requirements, course descriptions for all of our offerings, prerequisites for all classes, and the grade levels eligible to request the course. Opportunities Book 2024-2025
Who do I contact with questions concerning my child's course recommendation for the next school year?
Families should reach out directly to the current classroom teacher to discuss next years course recommendations. If you are unable to come to an agreement with your child's current teacher, reach out to the school counselor to review options.
What are the requirements for graduation?
Students are required to earn 25 credits to include one mastery-based diploma credit, nine humanities credits, nine STEM credits, one foreign language credit, one health credit, one physical education credit, and three elective credits. There are school-specific requirements within each discipline. Please refer to the Opportunities Book for additional information regarding grade-level requirements. Opportunities Book 2024-2025
How can I find out my GPA?
A course grade does not get factored into a student's GPA until that course has been completed (at the semester's end for semester-long courses and at the year's end for full-year courses). Ninth-graders will not have a comprehensive GPA until the end of their freshman year. After ninth grade, students can ask their school counselor for their GPA and we will be happy to provide that information. Each report card will display the student's quarterly GPA so that students and families can monitor progress throughout the year.
I would like to register my child to attend HKHS. What does this process entail?
The first step to registering your student at HKHS is to reach out to our counseling secretary, Amy Giarnella. She will review all of the required paperwork with the family to include documents that must be provided by the family (birth certificate, proof of residency, etc.). You must withdraw your child from their previous institution before they are able to begin attending school with us. After these preliminary steps have been completed, Ms. Giarnella will set up a meeting for you to include your child's future counselor. The counseling department will reach out to the previous school to obtain records, but this can take time depending on the circumstances. It is always helpful to come with any information regarding which classes the counselor should enroll the student in at the time of registration.
How do I find scholarship opportunities to help to support college affordability?
The counseling secretary posts local scholarship opportunities to Naviance. All students have a Naviance account and are reminded of the credentials to log in during the spring of their junior year (students can log in using "Single Sign On" through their school-issued Chromebook). If there is a local scholarship that you are aware of and do not see posted, our office has not been made aware of the opportunity. School counselors will be reviewing opportunities in advisory with seniors in the winter of senior year.
Who do I reach out to if I am unable to log in to a platform that HKHS utilizes (i.e., PowerSchool, Naviance, Google Workplace)?
Students and families should reach out to the counseling secretary first in an effort to obtain log in information or for help with a password reset. If you are unable to solve an issue with the counseling secretary, your school counselor can assist you with this. Additionally, Ms. Kohs, our library and media specialist, can assist with the technology we utilize in support of students.
What are working papers? What does the process look like if I need working papers?
Working papers are a means for the State of Connecticut to ensure that labor laws for minors are being followed. The student should bring a promise of employment from their prospective employer to the school counseling office to see Ms. Giarnella. Ms. Giarnella will provide working papers to the student accordingly. Connecticut's Working Papers Manual, Employment for Minors: Checklist
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
The two main documents that a family might fill out to apply for monetary aid when it comes to affording college are the CSS Profile and the FAFSA. The counseling department hosts a financial aid parent night each year in the fall to support families through this process. Students and parents should reach out to the counseling department with questions regarding the FAFSA or CSS Profile. Many times the student's counselor will forward the family to a college's financial aid office to answer questions. Counselors do not fill these forms out with families and students. FAFSA, CSS Profile Participants
How do I request Advanced Placement scores be sent to schools?
Students should log into their College Board account to send Advanced Placement scores to schools. Advanced Placement scores are generally released to students in July. School counselors can assist in making the decision as to whether or not to send scores to a particular school. How to Send AP Scores