1. Put your future in good hands. Your own. -Anonymous

2. 1. You will understand the following tools as they relate to your senior year course selection and graduation: Special scholarship requirements Transcripts and credit checks Graduation requirements  You will develop awareness regarding post high planning tools and resources: ACT and SAT websites NCAA and NAIA Eligibility College planning

3.  You should have the following materials: ◦ Your transcript and credit check ◦ Your registration letter (white) ◦ A registration handout with elective courses (blue) ◦ Single/Double course listing sheet The Course Listing Book (descriptions of every course) is online at www.rcas.org –www.rcas.org Click on:  Parents/Students  Handbooks/Registration  High School

4.  The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requires 4 math; 4 science; 2 credits (any combination) of world language or CTE course, AND: No grade below a C in required core courses At least a 3.0 GPA At least a 24 on the ACT (An ACT composite of 28 with certain sub scores may also qualify you, even if you don’t meet curriculum requirements. See your counselor.)  If you stay in SD for college, meet the above criteria, and complete the application, you will be awarded up to $5,000 for college.

5.  The Dakota Corps Scholarship requires: At least a 2.8 GPA At least a 24 on the ACT A commitment to stay in SD and work in a critical need occupation for 5+ years after graduation Attendance at a South Dakota college  This scholarship is competitive and awards full tuition and fees to chosen recipients  See your counselor for more detailed information

6.  You are responsible for choosing courses that meet graduation requirements. We help by giving you your transcript and a credit check.  Your transcript includes courses taken, grades and credits earned, GPA, and class rank. MAKE SURE YOUR TRANSCRIPT IS ACCURATE.  When you apply for college admission, scholarships, the military, or a job, you will likely be asked to submit an official high school transcript.  Do the best you can this year; many admission/award decisions are made based on your transcript through your junior year.

7.  Review your credit check.  Required courses are on the left; electives on the right.  To graduate, everyone needs 17.5 credits of required courses and 4.5 credits of elective courses (minimum).  Remember – if you plan to apply for scholarships and/or attend college next year, your course selection is very important.  Your counselor is happy to help you with course selection no matter what your educational goals are.

8.  Grade Replacement - If you retook a class for a higher grade, you can request that the lower grade come out of your GPA. Forms are in the guidance office. Some restrictions apply; see your counselor with questions.  Any Combination of the Following: (Bottom left side of your credit check) – You must take1 credit of any combination of world language(s) or Career & Technical Ed courses (see your blue registration handout for list of CTE courses), to equal one credit.  Math & Science – If you are college bound, we recommend you take extra credits of math and science while in high school.

9.  Your credit check will help you determine which classes you must take to graduate in 2016.  Class drops are NOT allowed, so choose courses carefully.  Some colleges might require more for admission than we require for graduation.  Required senior courses include the following: 1 credit of Language Arts (.5 credit - writing &.5 credit - literature OR 1 credit - AP English 12).5 credit of US Government (or 1 credit - AP US Government,.5 of which will be an elective)

10.  If you have taken a math class below Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1, you will need to sign a math waiver before you can graduate. See your counselor for the waiver.  If your 3 science credits do not include chemistry or physics, your parent must sign a science waiver before you can graduate. See your counselor to approve your 3 rd science credit and give you the waiver.  If you are currently failing (cumulatively) a class you need to graduate, we recommend you sign up for it next year. If you pass it, it can be dropped.  To be eligible for all school activities, including fine arts, you must pass 4 courses and be enrolled in 4 courses.  For new course offerings, see the course handbook online.

11.  There are dual credit opportunities. See SDMyLife.com, the end of the course listing book and/or talk to your counselor.  If you are interested in attending RC High School next year, you must still choose classes for Stevens next year. Apply for RCHS admission and they will let you know later this spring if you’ve been accepted.

12.  Instructions for registration are on your letter, along with your login name and password.  Please keep track of this letter as it provides a link to your personal information in Skyward Family Access.  If you misplace your letter or did not receive one, contact Marcia Geyer (Registrar) in the guidance office.  Feel free to schedule an appointment with your counselor if you want help; bring all these registration materials with you.

13. Go to www.raiderscorner.com,www.raiderscorner.com the Stevens guidance department website, for future planning resources

14.  Counselors recommend you take the ACT test on April 18 or June 13 ◦ Registration deadlines - -March 13 or May 8 ◦ Cost -- $38.00 (ACT plus writing -- $54.50) ◦ Website – www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org  You may also take the SAT test on March 14 or May 2  Registration deadline – Feb 13 or April 6  Cost -- $52.50  Website – www.sat.org/registerwww.sat.org/register  Some schools require SAT subject tests for specific programs (Subject Tests $16--$26 per test)

15.  Please see ACT or SAT websites for additional test dates. If you have conflicts with the Spring 2015 date(s), there are more available.  We strongly recommend you test (for the first time) this spring. If you are not satisfied with your score, additional fall test dates are available.  Remember, some admission and scholarship deadlines come in the fall.

16.  If you plan to participate in college athletics, you must register with the NCAA or NAIA  Register with NCAA at www.eligibilitycenter.org. www.eligibilitycenter.org  Register with NAIA at www.playNAIA.org.www.playNAIA.org  You can check your eligibility requirements on their websites and learn which classes you will need to have before high school graduation

17.  The Stevens High School scholarship listserv www.k12.sd.us/Listserv/StevensScholarships.htm  Websites of colleges you are considering attending  Websites designed for scholarship searches (www.fastweb.com and www.schoolsoup.com)www.fastweb.comwww.schoolsoup.com  Federal aid (cannot apply until January of your senior year)  Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and reciprocity (with Minnesota schools only)  Make an appointment with your counselor

18.  This spring will be your last opportunity to test out of a high school class. You cannot test out of any class in which you have had seat time. Go to www.rcas.org, Parents/Students, Test Out for more information or see your counselor.www.rcas.org  This spring, summer and fall are great times for college visits! Contact the college of your choice to make arrangements for a tour. Go to our department website (www.raiderscorner.com) for a college visit guide.www.raiderscorner.com

19.  Questions? Ask now or make an appointment to see your counselor: ◦ Paula Wilson – A B C E F G ◦ Melissa Good-Mitzel – H I J L M N ◦ Kim Elder – O through V ◦ Katie Baskerville– D K W X Y Z ◦ From now on, please see only your counselor for schedule adjustments. We don’t want anyone to be short on graduation requirements!