Academics
Academic Information and Updates
Hello Spartans!
Below you will find important academic information to help you be successful in your studies both inside and outside the building this semester. As we begin the new school year, be sure to check PowerSchool and your email often for more specific updates and instructions from Homestead staff. Remember to start the year Spartan STRONG!
Featured Scholarships
A few featured scholarships with upcoming deadlines for Homestead High School students are listed below. For a full list of all available scholarships and their detailed eligibility criteria, please visit the Homestead High School General Scholarships Page on our website.
Quest Bridge: The National College Match - Full 4-year scholarships for academically outstanding high school seniors from low-income backgrounds. -- Applications must be submitted by 9/26/23.
BestColleges Scholarship for Black Women in STEM - $6,000 scholarship for black women who are currently pursuing a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) -- Applications must be submitted by 9/30/23 by 11:59 p.m.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program - $20,000 scholarship that is achievement-based -- Applications must be submitted by 10/2/23.
Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen at their colleges and universities of interest. More information about these opportunities at some of our most commonly attended post-secondary institutions can be found on our Collegiate Scholarships Page
Additionally, students can peruse national scholarship search sites, such as the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb to widen their scholarship search.
IVY TECH: Deadline SEPTEMBER 18th
Attention students who have started courses this semester that offer dual credit from Ivy Tech. You need to be sure to complete all steps towards being correctly registered and then also qualify for your courses PRIOR to the September 18th deadline. Students need to COMPLETE ALL STEPS in the Ivy Tech Canvas module to register, enroll, and qualify for their courses. Contact Mr. Zvers with any questions at szvers@sacs.k12.in.us.
Dual Credit Information
Parents - please do not fill out Dual Credit forms for your son or daughter. Have the student sit with you and complete this process using their school email address. This will give HHS the ability to assist the student if there are any questions or issues concerning their enrollment in Dual Credit. If parents use their own email addresses and passwords we are unable to access any information. Thank you!
**BE SURE TO SAVE ALL USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS FOR ANY DUAL CREDIT ENROLLMENT**
SAT & ACT Testing
Standardized testing is one factor that goes into consideration when applying for college. Some colleges in recent years have granted leniency to standardized testing scores; these test-optional colleges are recommended for students who do not wish to report their scores, and this site has organized which schools have gone this route. Nonetheless, testing is still an important part of most applications. Below are the testing dates and deadlines for the SAT and ACT for the 2023-24 school year. For more information, go to www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com.
ACT Dates
Sept 9, 2023
Registration Deadline: Aug 4
Late Registration Deadline: Aug 18
Oct 28, 2023 (not at HHS)
Registration Deadline: Sept 22
Late Registration Deadline: Oct 6
Dec 9 , 2023(not at HHS)
Registration Deadline: Nov 3
Late Registration Deadline: Nov 17
Feb 10, 2024 (not at HHS)
Registration Deadline: Jan 5
Late Registration Deadline: Jan 19
Apr 13, 2024
Registration Deadline: Mar 8
Late Registration Deadline: Mar 22
Jun 8, 2024 (not at HHS)
Registration Deadline: May 3
Late Registration Deadline: May 17
Jul 13, 2024 (not at HHS)
Registration Deadline: Jun 7
Late Registration Deadline: Jun 21
SAT Dates
Oct 7, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sept 7
Late Registration Deadline: Sept 26
Nov 4, 2023
Registration Deadline: Oct 5
Late Registration Deadline: Oct 24
Dec 2, 2023
Registration Deadline: Nov 2
Late Registration Deadline: Nov 21
Mar 9, 2024 (virtual)
Registration Deadline: Feb 23
Late Registration Deadline: TBD
May 4, 2024 (virtual)
Registration Deadline: Apr 9
Late Registration Deadline: TBD
Jun 1, 2024 (virtual)
Registration Deadline: May 17
Late Registration Deadline: TBD
Back row Left to right
Ololade Tanimola, Elorm Klukpui, Isaac Garcia, Elisha Aparicio, Isabel Lubia, Sebastian Rodriguez
Front row left to right
Karen Pantoja, Juliana Parra, Vivian Flapan, Carolina Rodrigues, Jasmine Barnes, Isabella Gee
Not pictured - Gustavo Sanchez Duran
College Board Recognition
Every year College Board recognizes underrepresented students who excel academically on the College Board exams including the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP exams. Congratulations to these students who were awarded with academic honors from College Board National Recognition Programs! College Board Recognition Programs are available to students on Big Future. Homestead is recognizing thirteen juniors and seniors who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native and have excelled academically. Congratulations!
Why Common App?
The common app makes college applications stress-free as everything is all in the same place. This application is used broadly by 950 universities and colleges and has helped many students accomplish the first steps needed to begin the process of the next step of pursuing their education.
Not only can the common app be used for applying to schools across the country, but it can be used to find scholarships and financial aid opportunities!
What are the Application Requirements?
Many universities and colleges will have the same requirements, which entails filling out the information that provides details about your background, extracurriculars, and just essential information about you. Some schools will require that the student provides an essay that is a minimum of 250 words with a maximum of 650 words.
Many students are intimidated by the essay requirement, but do not stress! Start off with one of the seven prompts below:
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to our success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
If you are unsure of your essay's quality or what college admissions look for in the requirement essay, ask for a teacher, family member, or counselor to help review and provide feedback on your essay before submitting your final application!
Recommendation Letters
Recommendation letters are an essential aspect of applying to colleges and universities. Some schools require recommendation letters, and some do not. It is always beneficial to include one to polish up your application.