Counseling

Students must meet all course credit requirements and graduation standards, as established by the State of Minnesota and the District 833 School Board, in order to graduate. A student must earn 66 credits in grades 9-12 to graduate. One credit is earned for successful completion of a one trimester course. Students must earn:

12 credits in English

9 credits in Social Studies

1 credit in Economics (grade 11 or 12)

9 credits in Math

9 credits in Science

1 credit in General Physical Education (grade 9 or 10)

1 credit in Health (11 or 12)

2 credits in Fine Arts

22 credits in electives

Students at the Alternative High School have the option of taking classes at the Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center in White Bear Lake. It becomes part of their school day as they are bused to the College in the mornings and return by lunch. They then take their required classes in the afternoon. This option allows students to explore a career that might be a good fit for them. Check out the description of the courses available! See Kate Jenkins, School Counselor, if you are interested.

Career Resources

• Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center Programs
• www.iseek.org
  • This website gives good information on colleges in Minnesota. It also has some self assessments that are free to take that match interests or skills to careers.
• www.mncis.intocareers.org (see counselor for username and password)
  • MCIS is an outstanding post secondary planning resource. You can use the website to access occupational information, college information and individual career planning information. A special feature is its ability to sort schools across the country on 10 criteria and scholarships using various criteria. It also has job preparation

ACT/SAT Info

• www.actstudent.org
  • This is the ACT website. You can check out the dates of the test, register for the tests and view practice tests on this site.
• Practice tests (ACT, ASVAB, Accuplacer, SAT, etc.)
  • www.testpreview.com
  • www.studyguidezone.com
  • www.chompchomp.com

Financial Aid

• FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov
  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federally approved application for financial aid. it generates information for colleges to determine a student's eligibility for grants, work study, loans, and some forms of need-based scholarships. For this year's seniors, the FAFSA cannot be completed unit the family completes its taxes, or after January 1st. This application is free and can be completed online at the above link.

Reciprocity

Minnesota has the reciprocity with South Dakota, and parts of Iowa and Manitoba, Canada. Essentially, what this means is that students can attend public institutions in these locations and pay tuition that would be comparable to a similar Minnesota public institution. Students must complete a reciprocity agreement with the appropriate state or province to qualify.

Get Ready for College

• www.getreadyforcollege.org
  • Financial aid estimator, information on reciprocity and preparing for college.

CSS/Financial Aid Profile

• http://.profileonline.collegeboard.com
  • Some colleges (Augsburg, Carleton, Gustavus, Macalester and St. Olaf) also require the completion of the College Board's CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Be sure that your college requires it, as there is a fee included.

MN Career Info System

• www.mncis.intocareers.org (see counselor for user name and password)
  • MCIS can access thousands of sources of financial aid and scholarships. Go to "financial aid" to get an alphabetical list of financial aid sources and/or to "financial aid sort" to sort

Military

• www.todaysmilitary.com

 

Jenkins, Kate
School Counselor
651-425-7004

College Credit & College Readiness Tests

 

ACT & SAT

The ACT and the SAT Reasoning Test are college admission tests. Most four-year colleges require that students take one of these tests, preferably in the second semester of junior year. All colleges and universities accept either the ACT or the SAT; the student need not take both. Some colleges also require the SAT Subject Tests.

ACT

The ACT Plus Writing college entrance test is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13th. This test will be free for all 2020-21 Juniors enrolled in South Washington County Schools.  To register or if you have questions, please contact Kate Jenkins

To register for additional ACT tests, access to free test prep materials, and more information regarding the ACT please visit their website at the link below.

For the latest updates on ACT testing please visit: ACT Website
 

SAT Test Dates

Register for this year's SAT tests online at CollegeBoard.com.

• SAT Test Dates

 

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PreACT, Grade 10

• Why Take the PreACT?
• Using Your PreACT Results
• Understanding Your PreACT Results Worksheet
• ACT Sample Test Questions
• 30 Tips for ACT & SAT Test Prep

ACT, Grade 11

• Infographics: How to Understand & Use Your ACT Results
• Interactive ACT Student Report & Video
• ACT Sample Test Questions
• 30 Tips for ACT & SAT Test Prep

 

PSAT, Grades 10 and 11th

Current 10th and 11th grade students have the opportunity to take the PSAT exam at their home High School on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020. Please register through SmartSchoolK12, the cost is $23.  The deadline is October 2nd and space is limited. For more information check out Woodbury High, East Ridge, or Park High School.

PSAT Website

If you have questions, please contact Kate Jenkins

South Washington Alternative High School is lucky to have partnered with Youth Service Bureau. For more information on services offered by our Youth & family Therapist contact Katie Maier. For information on services offered by our Chemical Health Specialist you can contact Almarely Guerrero Sanchez.
 

 

Current SWAHS Students

SWAHS students can receive one free transcript sent to a college of their choice. Please email your first request to aengebre@sowashco.org. If students want multiple transcripts sent, they can order them through Parchment.

To order a transcript from Parchment:

• Once registered, you are able to order transcripts.
• Click on "Sign Up", and create an sign-in account. Be sure to provide a valid email address.
• Go to Parchment.com
• Select the names of colleges that you want to receive your transcript; Parchment.com knows each college's address.
• Provide payment at the time of your transcript order.

When you've done your part, the district approves your request online. Parchment.com then prepares your official transcript and sends it to each college you've chosen. Parchment.com will confirm that your transcript was sent (and delivered, if possible).

If you have questions about how Parchment.com works, go to www.parchment.com >Help>FAQs.

 

SWAHS Student who graduated between 2010-2021

District 833 uses Parchment.com to processes transcript requests electronically for those who have graduated. The first time you use Parchment.com, you must create a login account.

To order a transcript from Parchment:

• Once registered, you are able to order transcripts.
• Click on "Sign Up", and create an sign-in account. Be sure to provide a valid email address.
• Go to Parchment.com
• Select the names of colleges that you want to receive your transcript; Parchment.com knows each college's address.
• Provide payment at the time of your transcript order.

When you've done your part, the district approves your request online. Parchment.com then prepares your official transcript and sends it to each college you've chosen. Parchment.com will confirm that your transcript was sent (and delivered, if possible).

If you have questions about how Parchment.com works, go to www.parchment.com >Help>FAQs.
 

SWAHS Students who graduated before 2010

If you graduated before 2010 you must request your transcript from the District. There is a $5 fee for each copy of a transcript that you request. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order made payable to District 833. Once your request and payment are received, your transcript order will be processed within 2 business days.

All requests must be made in writing, either at the Office of Student Information (District Service Center) or by mail. To request a transcript by mail please include:

• Student's full name at time of attendance
• Birth date
• School of attendance
• Graduation year
• Address where you want the transcript mailed
• Student signature if over 18; Parent signature if under 18
• Daytime phone number

Mail transcript requests to:

South Washington County Schools
Office of Student Information/Transcript Request
7362 East Point Douglas Road South
Cottage Grove MN 55016

/fs/resource-manager/view/e5a8bf37-cad8-40ec-b725-e1fefbae5756

Washington County Resources: A comprehensive list of resources in Washington County.

Operation Glass Slipper: A non-profit dedicated to providing prom dresses and accessories to girls who have financial need.

Park Nicollet Melrose Center: Outpatient, inpatient, and speciality care for those with eating disorders.

Education of Homeless Youth: Resources for homeless students living in the district

Have Concerns? If you're concerned about yourself or someone else and would like information on symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide, please visit save.org or mayoclinic.com. If you recognize any of the listed signs or symptoms, please speak with a parent/guardian, family doctor, or counselor right away. The Mayo Clinic website also has specific information about types of depression.

Note: It is critical to discuss any concerns with a parent/guardian, family doctor, or counselor.

Website: www.save.org

Website: www.mayoclinic.com (Search for major depression symptoms)

Before using your mental health insurance benefits, we recommend that you take the following actions.

• Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.
• Ask for a list of mental health providers in your area; you may request male or female providers as well.
• Ask about specific coverage (e.g., number of sessions, co-pay, and how much insurance will pay).

Your family doctor is another resource you can use to find a mental health provider. Ask him/her for a referral or name(s) of providers to consider.