1. You are almost halfway there!!!!
Sophomore
Parent Night
You are almost halfway there!!!!
Hang in there !

2. HHS Counseling Department
Ellaina Staldine (A-E, 10-12) **F & L**
Ashten Broadhead (F-L, 10-12) *Maternity Leave*
Jason Murgel (M-R, 10-12) **H & I**
Chrissy Murgel (S-Z, 10-12) **G, J & K**
Jaime Pandis (Freshmen Only)
Corena Hall (Administrative Assist.)
Kelly Strietzel (Career Counselor)

3. Lots of Options the Next 2 Years !
AP Courses
Why should students consider dual credit Courses?
Helena College/Carroll College
College Admissions/College Prep
Internships/Job Shadows
Career/Post Graduation Planning
PSAT, ACT, SAT
Registration, Graduation Progress, Transcripts

4. Get a Start on College While Still in High School!
Helena High has a superb variety of dual credit offerings! (see page 9 in the registration guide)
Our Advanced Placement (AP) continues to grow and enrichens the students choices.
Completing Dual Credit and Advanced Placement courses really gives you a head start with post graduate plans.

5. Important Information for Students and Parents Cont.
How many credits do I need to graduate?
Registration? When does that happen?
How will my student and I stay up-to-date on all of this information?!
Parent Nights Power School Helena High Counseling Website
Early spring, students will have a week dedicated to their grade level to cover required courses, graduation progress, and registration for the following year
** Students will need to have all 23 credits completed prior to graduation in order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony

6. Montana 4 Year Campuses
In order to be fully admitted to a 4-year university in the MUS, high school graduates are required to meet ONE of the following standards:
Earn at least a 2.5 high school GPA; or
Rank in the top half of the school’s graduating class; or
Earn an ACT composite score of 22 or higher, or SAT total score of 1120 or higher (exception: MSU‐Northern: ACT score of 20, SAT score of 1050)
22 – Math 7 – Writing or 18 ELA

7. 2 Year Campuses and 2 Year Programs
Must complete a high school diploma or the HiSET
Must apply for admissions
Certain courses still require placement scores (ACT or Accuplacer)

8. Academics and Athletics
NCAA and NAIA Opportunities
NCAA
NAIA
Let your school counselor know if you are interested!
Course requirements on page 6 (registration guide.)

9. Questions for Mrs. Pandis?
Up Next:
Mrs. Murgel

10. Transcripts

13. Graduation Progress

16. 4 Year Plan

17. Questions for Mrs. Murgel?
Up Next:
Mr. Murgel

18. Pros & Cons of Dual Credit
Earn H.S. Credit and College Credit at same time
College level rigor
Helps students find right career path
Helps Expedite College Degree Completion
Cost Effectiveness – about 1/3 of the cost, may help save thousands
Lowers Remediation Rates
CONS
Registration process – semesters don’t match up
Transferability of credits
Rigor of courses
Grades become permanent records on college transcripts

19. Dual Credit Course List
Accounting Procedures I Pre-Calculus Intro to Theater
MS Word Calculus I Intro to Acting
MS Excel Intro to Literature CAD 2D
Intro to Programming College Writing
Programming with Java I Intro to Psychology
Industrial Safety for WLD College Algebra
Cutting Processes Intro to Statistics
Technical Math Technical Writing

20. Accuplacer Chart

21. Accuplacer Chart
Helena College Testing Center:

22. Questions for Mr. Murgel?
Up Next:
Mrs. Staldine

23. College Entrance Exams: What Do Sophomores Need to Know?

24. What are College Entrance Exams?
Entrance exams are traditionally required by 4-year colleges and universities.
Entrance exams are also used for advising, course placement, scholarship programs, and to identify needs for remedial courses.
ACT & SAT are college entrance exams that are both accepted equally:
ACT (HSD tests all juniors in the Spring, recommend a retake in senior year)
SAT (Students may register for and take this exam their junior and/or senior years)
Students are encouraged to take the following standardized tests for practice:
PSAT 10 (for Sophomores only- register now!)
PSAT (recommended for Juniors in the Fall- registration will begin this spring)

25. What is the PSAT 10? Practice test designed for sophomores
Content and format is very similar to the PSAT, ACT, and SAT
Covers reading, writing and math for 2 hours and 45 minutes
PSAT 10 does not qualify you for the National Merit competition
PSAT 10 is purely a practice test and an introduction to national standardized testing.
It will give you great feedback to help you prepare for the PSAT, and ultimately the ACT.
The PSAT 10 will take place on April 11th at Carroll College
Students may register now with the bookkeeper in the Main Office by Feb. 15th.
The fee is $18 and includes transportation to/from Carroll College and a study guide.

26. What is the PSAT?
PSAT (or Preliminary SAT) is recommended for all college-bound juniors. The PSAT is a great primer for the SAT and ACT.
The exam is only given once a year in October (Sophomores will register for the test starting in May with us)
The PSAT won’t count towards your college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship
Why take the PSAT?
To practice for the ACT and SAT
To receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college.
To see how your performance compares with that of others
To enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corp (Juniors only).
To become familiar with the kinds of questions and the directions you will see on the actual college entrance exam.

27. Prepare Through Course Selection
Research has shown that taking certain courses in high school substantially increases students’ readiness for college level work.
Students with >3 years of science average an 18.2 ACT score
Student who took earth science, biology and chemistry average an 21.3 ACT score
Your student is strongly encouraged to take a science class their junior year, and math all 4 years.
AP, Honors level, and dual credit courses best prepare students for success on entrance exams and college-level work
Remember: A’s in “easy” courses are not necessarily better than B’s in more advanced courses in terms of their impact on ACT/SAT scores.

28. Career Counselor Services Kelly Strietzel ~ 324.2239
Jobs and Career Exploration
Career Education/ Training Requirements and Options

29. Scholarships Not just for seniors! What can sophomores do now?
Activities/Awards/Service list (or join something!)
Enhance your writing skills
Checkout the HHS scholarship list
guidance/scholarships/
Scholly (sponsored by Reach Higher Montana)

30. Questions? A-E ELLAINA STALDINE estaldine@helenaschools.org
F-L ASHTEN BROADHEAD
M-R JASON MURGEL
S-Z CHRISSY MURGEL
Freshmen JAIME PANDIS
CORENA HALL
Administrative Assistant
KELLY STRIETZEL
Career Counselor