Information and Announcements
The attached links are various financial aid publications for students and families.
24-25 Student aid Guide - https://www.pheaa.org/college-planning/student-aid-guide/
24-25 FAFSA Tipsheet - https://www.pheaa.org/partner-access/toolkit-downloads/fafsa/pdf/FAFSA_Tipsheet.pdf
FSA ID Recording sheet - attached
Scholarship Tips - https://www.pheaa.org/partner-access/k12-counselors/pdf/publications/scholarship_tips.pdf
Please see the attached flyer for a student visit opportunity at Penn College on 9/23/23. Questions in regards to the event can be directed to Mile Allen, welding faculty, at [email protected].
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The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a multiple-choice test that measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills important for college-level work. The PSAT/NMSQT is now offered in digital format only. There is no longer paper testing. Westmont will be testing on two separate days in smaller test groups to accommodate the limited number of desktop computers. This provides a better testing environment.
ALL juniors should consider taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Why should a student consider taking the PSAT in their JUNIOR year?
Sophomores should consider taking the PSAT as preparation and practice for the SAT or ACT.
PSAT Dates: Tuesday, October 24th and Wednesday, October 25th
An additional date may be added, depending on the size of the test group
If your child has a pre-scheduled athletic event/activity that requires one date over the other, they must share this information on the day they register. Requests for a specific date can only be honored for school-sponsored events and appointments with doctor notes (not personal preference).
Test Site Westmont Hilltop Jr-Sr High School
Cost $20.00 (Juniors--Fee waivers available – see Ms. Little)
Cash or check made out to WHHS due at time of sign-up
Sign-up Period Friday, September 8th through Friday, September 22nd
Sign-up Location Counseling Office: See Mrs. Held
PLEASE REMEMBER
21th Annual Cambria County College Fair
11th grade students were given a permission slip for the Cambria County College Fair on Thursday, September 7th. All students are encouraged to join us for this visit to Penn Highlands on September 19th. There will be over 50 vendors from different colleges, trade schools, and military etc. This is a great opportunity for students to explore just a few of the many options that await them after graduation. Students will be able to gather admissions information on different programs and practice interacting with representatives who may be the ones receiving their applications next year. Junior year is just the beginning of this journey, and we would love all students to attend! Permission slips are due Friday, September 15th and can be returned to Ms. Little or the Counseling Office.
22-23 Information
2022-2023 School Year
Advanced Placement (AP) / National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI)
We are pleased to share with you that this year Westmont Hilltop School District, in collaboration with NMSI (National Math and Science Initiative), will be paying for all students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses to take the AP exam associated with the course. In high school courses, students work hard to prepare for final exams and submit end of course projects. Having an end goal in mind keeps students motivated. It is no different with AP courses. AP Exams are designed to measure how well students master the content and skills of a specific AP course. The AP test measures achievement, not aptitude. This test is not solely used for attaining credits towards college, although that could be the outcome if students score successfully on the exam. What we deem most important is the full experience of an AP course. We want your student to experience a college-level course from start to finish, and gain essential practice in preparing for this type of important test. It is likely your child will take other high stakes exams in the course of their education, whether that’s a GRE, a Praxis, MCAT, GMAT, or even the Bar Exam. Your child will be challenged each semester of college with this type of exam preparation for their end of course finals. One of our priorities is to ensure they are prepared for college and these types of tests by giving them the opportunity to face obstacles and build the skills necessary to complete a similar exam here in high school, with our support and encouragement.
This year we have partnered with the NMSI in AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Literature, AP Composition, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC. Through this program, our AP teachers are being provided resources to help enhance their teaching strategies for AP courses, and students will have multiple new tools to prepare for the exams. Students in these courses will be given pre and post assessments to monitor progress and take a mock AP exam near the end of the year, all through NMSI’s platform. This type of practice will hopefully increase student’s confidence in these specific AP courses and exams. AP Central and College Board also provide various resources to help your student in preparing for all AP exams. This includes daily videos, topic questions, progress checks, and extensive course sequencing guides.
According to College Board, “Taking the exam is part of the AP experience, and you earn more than a grade at the end of the course. Regardless of your AP exam score, completing an AP course and exam advances you academically. You’ll develop skills that help you succeed in your current classes and in college, such as time management, critical thinking, scholarly writing, and independent study. Sharpening these skills as you prepare for your AP Exam makes your transition from high school to college easier. All AP Exam scores prove you’re willing to work hard and complete college-level work. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams have better college outcomes than their peers.
2023 Advanced Placement Exam Schedule
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Week 1 |
Morning 8 a.m. Local Time |
Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time |
|
Monday, |
Chemistry |
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Wednesday, |
English Literature and Composition (12th) |
Computer Science A |
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Friday, |
European History |
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Art and Design: Friday, May 5, 2023 (8 p.m. ET), is the deadline for AP Art and Design digital portfolios to be submitted to the AP Program. |
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Week 2 |
Morning 8 a.m. Local Time |
Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time |
|
Monday, |
Calculus AB Calculus BC |
Computer Science Principles |
|
Tuesday, |
English Language and Composition (10th) |
Physics C: Mechanics |
|
Wednesday, |
Spanish Language and Culture |
Biology |
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Friday, |
Music Theory |
Minh-Ha Hoang, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, University of San Diego, says,“AP students are intellectually curious, disciplined, and incredibly resilient. You are the type of people who will follow through on things you’ve started.”
22-23 Information
FAFSA Workshops
If you have a college-bound student, you may know that the FAFSA window opened over the weekend, on October 1st. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) should be completed as soon as you are able, if you intend to see what type of aid your child might be eligible for towards college. On Thursday October 20th, our PHEAA representative, Julie Fontana, will be here to conduct FAFSA workshops where she will provide 1-1 / small group assistance in completing the application.
Sessions are held at:
8:00 – 9:00am
9:00 – 10:00am
10:00 – 11:00am
12:00 – 1:00pm
1:00 – 2:00pm
2:00 – 3:00pm
Sessions will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Please email Mrs. Held at [email protected] or call 814-255-8736 if you are interested, with your preferred time slot.
22-23 Information
Free FAFSA Webinar
Our PHEAA representative, Julie Fontana, will be providing a free virtual presentation on all things financial aid. If you are looking for more information about the process, please consider attending this event. WHHS will also be providing 1-1 FAFSA workshops on
October 20th for families who would like in-person support completing the FAFSA. Information to register will be sent out next month.
The FAFSA opens October 1st, so you should be completing the application next month, if possible! Completing the FAFSA is not a commitment to borrow money for college, rather, it allows you to see what you/your child would be offered in terms of loans and grants/scholarships.
Event: PHEAA Virtual Financial Aid Presentation
Event Date: September 28, 2022
Event Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Event Duration: 90 minutes
Description: This webinar will provide an understanding of the financial decisions students and families need to make concerning higher education. The PHEAA representative will discuss higher education costs, provide tools and resources, discuss types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid. You can register for the event using the attachment below. You may also find the "Financial Aid 101" presentation information helpful!
FIND THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION HERE: https://youtu.be/3tfpYNwLoxU
College/Career Representative Visits
These representatives are available to students n the cafeteria during 6th and 7th lunches. If you have questions for the representative and would like to prep with Ms. Little prior, email [email protected]
