Student Services

Jenny Sandbeck, LSW, School Social Worker: Mrs. Sandbeck provides mental health and social/emotional support to students and links parents and families to resources. She is the Section 504 Building Coordinator, coordinating plans for students that qualify based on health diagnoses, is the district McKinney-Vento Liaison, is the liaison for School Linked Mental Health Services, is the Waseca Area School Therapeutic Program Coordinator at the Jr/Sr High School and works directly with school administration on attendance. 

Brianna Lawrence, LSC, and Paul Marlin, LSC, School Counselors: Mrs. Lawrence and Mr. Marlin are here for supportive services including College, Career, Academic, and Personal/Social Counseling. Our department is also in charge of Minnesota Honor Society, Senior's Honors Night, Advanced Placement, PSEO/Concurrent Enrollment, and college entrance exam testing. 

Carol Goebel, Special Education Case Facilitator: Ms. Goebel is the case facilitator for Special Education. She collaborates with teachers and case managers to collect data, assess students, and ensure students are receiving appropriate services. 

Jessica Androli, Counseling Office Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Androli coordinates the local scholarship packet with award donors, and coordinates the process of getting checks to students.  She also sends out all transcripts to colleges or other institutions. 

• Individual meeting with students and families

  • By appointment

  • Individual senior meetings with counselor (October)

  • As needed and requested by counselor or principal

• Naviance is used for completing career cluster inventories, interest inventories, researching jobs, researching colleges and programs of study, and financial aid searches.

• College Admissions & Military Rep visits, advertised in the announcements and on tvs around the building

• Parent information sessions: Financial Aid (Oct), FAFSA (Oct or Nov), PSEO (March)

• Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Construct Tomorrow Field Trip (every other year in Oct/Nov)

  • Tour of Manufacturing (every other year in Oct/Nov)

  • 9th grade Navigator Career Exploration Field Trip (every year, time TBD)

  • 10th grade Career Day (every year, March)

• Counselors also provide support, training, and individual assistance with career and college applications, registration deadlines, college essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, requesting test scores, resume help, and applying for financial aid. 

ACT

The ACT is an accepted achievement and admissions test used by many colleges and universities throughout the nation. Students generally take the ACT at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year. This test measures skills in major curriculum areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. The is also an optional writing test. Students should check admissions requirements with their college of choice to determine if the ACT is required. For more information, go to www.actstudent.org

The Minnesota Department of Education requires all public high schools to offer the ACT to high school juniors during the school day. 

The benefits of taking the ACT on the district-wide test day include:

• Discounted rates for students

• Simplified registration with help from a counselor to fill it in, versus doing it online for a national testing date

• No photo identification is required

• Students take the test on a school day instead of a Saturday national testing date

• Students take the test in a familiar setting with a familiar proctor

SAT

The SAT is widely used by colleges on the East and West coasts. The SAT is generally taken at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year. The SAT is a multiple-choice test made up of verbal, math, and writing sections. There are fourteen subject areas that measure a student’s knowledge of particular subjects and his or her ability to apply the knowledge. At this point Waseca Jr/Sr High School does not offer the SAT. For information about the test and where it is offered, go to http://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/SAT

ACCUPLACER

ACCUPLACER tests your knowledge in math and reading. Advisors at two-year colleges or technical programs will use your results to help you take courses that match your skill level and align with your program of study. Students that plan on attending a two year community college or technical program right after high school should take this exam. Scores from the Accuplacer are valid for three years. For more information, go to https://accuplacer.org

ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors. Most students schedule the test through recruiters, but Waseca Jr/Sr High School offers the ASVAB as an option during state testing on an as-needed basis.

PSAT/NMSQT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and co sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT is not required for students, but it is an opportunity to practice for the SAT while simultaneously entering a scholarship competition. The PSAT has sections on math, evidence-based reading, and writing. Only juniors who take the assessment are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Waseca Jr/Sr High School offers this test based on availability and interest. 

MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs)

Reading MCA: 10th grade students take the Reading MCA on the same day as Junior testing.

Math MCA: 11th grade students take the Math MCA with a math department teacher in the spring.

Science MCA: 10th grade students take the Science MCA on the same day as Junior testing.