What We Do

2 months ago

Counselor Anne Baltrusaitis, (abaltrusaitis@mcps.k12.va.us), is available to answer questions via email. If you are unable to communicate by email, please leave a message at 804-758-9702 with your contact information. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Academic Progress

Coordinate and mail progress reports and report cards
Counsel students with academic difficulties
Attend parent conferences
Complete and mail credit analysis to parents
Identify and contact parents of failing students
Determine grade retentions and summer school participants
Determine and create honor rolls

Scheduling

Update scheduling information – solicit teacher course requests, coordinate with DOE regulations, publish Program of Studies
Distribute scheduling materials to students
Meet with parents of rising ninth graders to describe scheduling process/diploma requirements
Meet with students individually to discuss schedule choices
Create schedule for the next school year
Handle drop/add courses

Testing

Register students, administer, and interpret PSAT
Compile numbers of students taking end-of-course SOLs
Identify students needing SOL retakes
Assist with SOL administration
Administer AP Exams
Help students register for the SAT and ACT

Transition

Organize freshmen orientation
Hold College Application/Scholarship meeting for parents
Hold Financial Aid Workshop
Counsel students regarding college choices
Mail mid-year and final transcripts to colleges
Organize college fairs
Write college recommendations
Organize ASVAB administration and interpretation to eleventh graders
Administer Vocational Testing to all ninth and tenth graders
Meet with students individually to discuss results and determine tentative career goals
Participate on committee which organizes the career speaker program
Assist with the ISAEP transition plans

Student Support

Foster teacher/student relations
Select students for leadership conferences
Provide crisis counseling for individual students and school emergencies
Assist with Governor’s School application process
Identify student scholarship recipients
Organize and present scholarship awards
Identify honor graduates
Order diplomas
Determine diploma seal recipients

Special Education

Attend IEP/504 meetings/triennial evaluation
Complete classroom observations
Attend child study meetings

Administrative

Register new students
Attend Counseling and Faculty meetings
Attend Advisory and Committee meetings
Maintain student records

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Summer Programs & Opportunities

3 months ago

Program Opportunities


Girls Who Code Summer Programs

  1. The virtual Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a live, virtual, 2-week introductory computer science course for currently eligible 9th, 10th, and 11th grade US students and international students ages 14-18. Through our new curriculum focused on Game Design, SIP participants will learn beginner to intermediate computer science concepts, UX design basics, and more – all while getting an inside look into the tech industry through incredible company partners. In addition to a completely free program, we offer grants up to $300 and tech support for qualifying students. For more information, visit the Girls Who Code website. 
  2. The Self-Paced Program is a 6-week flexible computer science course for currently eligible 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade US students and international students ages 14-18 who prefer not to adhere to a set schedule. Self-Paced Program participants can choose to earn beginner-level badges in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or an intermediate-level badge in Python for cybersecurity or our new data science track. Students will also have the opportunity to build community through live advisory events and other Girls Who Code engagements. For more information, visit the Girls Who Code website. 



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Pre-College 2023

GW Pre-College Program 2023

High school students in the Pre-College Program spend a summer in Washington, D.C., taking advantage of GW's expertise in global development, international relations, public policy and administration, politics, diplomacy, history, biomedical engineering, museum studies and the arts. Top-tier faculty and scholar practioners guide, inspire and empower students through immersive programs that connect academic experience with real-world practice. Our summer programs are intensive and exciting, allowing students to experience the academic rigors of learning in a college environment. They are academically-challenging courses that integrate lectures and seminars with exploration of area organizations.

Pre-College also offers a transformative introduction to college life. Students develop confidence in their ability to become part of a new community, participating in recreational and social activities while making friends with peers from around the world. Applications for Summer 2023 are open on December 15th. 

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1. Explore Science Camp: June 26-28 (rising 7th-8th grade) + July 6-8 (rising 9th-10th grade). 2. Explore Data Science: July 12-15 (rising 11th-12th grade). 3. Explore Physical Science: July 19-22 (rising 11th-12th grade). 4. Explore Life Science: July 26-29 (rising 11th-12th grade).


The University of Mary Washington is excited to announce the 2023 Summer Enrichment Program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. During our one week multidisciplinary pre-college experience July 9-15, participants will join UMW professors for three engaging, meaningful courses, some with out-of-class enrichment activities to help students fully explore the content.  

  • Use augmented reality to visualize DNA or create digital media. 
  • Explore the chemistry of food. 
  • Learn how to run a business.
  • Use UMW’s Geographic Information Systems laboratory and outdoor excursions to create mental maps, printed maps, and online story maps.

Explore courses in STEM, business, history or follow a special track in cyber security. Check out additional courses and course descriptions.

Participants live in a UMW residence hall with other enrichment program participants and enjoy meals in the University Center dining hall, all while learning from inspiring faculty members who love to teach.

A fee of $1,200 covers tuition, room and board, course materials, field trip transportation, and recreational activities. Reduced fees may be available.

Applications are due March 20, 2023. Find out more at the Summer Enrichment Program website: umw.edu/summer/sep.


FREE to High School Students!

Old Dominion University Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene and the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation are pleased to announce the 2023 Dental Health Summer Institute. This interactive, FREE, virtual five-day learning opportunity will be held June 26th-June 30th, 2023 and will focus on a variety of dental health topics.  In addition, the course will guide students through the application process in applying to colleges and universities. All classes will be taught by faculty and staff at Old Dominion University and Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation. Students will receive a dental lab kit for hands-on activities. 

If interested, ask students to fill out the Dental Health Summer Institute application by March 3, 2023. Space is limited! Acceptance notifications will go out in April.


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Graduation Requirements

2 years ago

Graduation Requirements
Diploma Types  

The Standard Diploma reflects the basic achievement the Commonwealth sees as necessary for citizens; four English, three math (at or above the level of algebra), three science (from two science disciplines), and three social studies credits (including both VA/US History and VA/US Government), two Physical Education courses, one fine or practical art elective, two electives in sequence, and three other elective credits for a total of 22 credits.  

The Advanced Diploma is encouraged to better prepare students for their post-secondary education choices.In addition to the academic core requirements of the Standard Diploma, Advanced Diploma recipients must complete three credits of a foreign language (or two credits in two languages), one additional credit each in Math, Science (from three science disciplines), and Social Studies, one fine or practical art and two other electives for 24 total credits.  

The Special Diploma is granted to disabled students who complete their Individualized Education Plan objectives.

Standard vs. Verified Credits.  Standards of Learning Tests (SOLs) are used to assess whether students have adequately mastered the course material of a given subject.  The Commonwealth has added passage of a number of End of Course SOLs to its list of requirements for Standard and Advanced Diplomas.  Passing the course yields a standard credit; passing the course and the corresponding SOL test together yields a verified credit.

Verified Credits per Diploma Type.  Advanced Diploma requirements include 9 verified credits: two from English 11 (Writing and Reading), 2 each in math, science, and social studies, and another of the student's choosing.  Standard Diploma requirements and beyond must earn two from English (Writing and Reading), one each in math, science, and social studies, and one of the student's choosing. The Modified Standard  Diploma uses scores from 8th grade Math and Reading SOLs to verify credit. The Special Diploma students testing standard is the VAAP in 11th grade.  Completion of some industry certifications and other national tests may be used for verified credit.

SOL Information
End of Course Tests.  The following courses have SOL tests: English 10 (Writing), English 11 (Reading), Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, World History I, World History II, VA/US History.  All students enrolled in these courses must take the End of Course Test, regardless of diploma type or number of SOLs already passed.

Administration.  SOL tests are given at the end of the course (January and June).  If a student scores between 375 and 399 (just short of the passing grade of 400), he/she is allowed to take an expedited retake, a special administration a few weeks after the original test. Students who have a standard credit but who have not passed the SOL for the verified credit may retake the SOL during one of the school year testing sessions or in the summer(remediation is encouraged).

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Career Information

2 years ago

Choosing a Career
Identifying your post-secondary career goals early in your high school career can help you select courses that will promote these goals.  The most important piece of the career puzzle is finding information about yourself - your interests, your abilities, and your work values.  MHS students will begin the exploration process in ninth grade, and will keep portfolios to take with them when they graduate.

Step One - Interests.  All freshmen participate in career testing sometime during the year. Students will take the assessments available on www.VaWizard.org. Originally created by the Community College system, this site has recently been expanded to include 4-year college and local employment information. Students are welcome and encouraged to view the resources on this site. Another excellent site for free career exploration and exploration is www.vaview.vt.edu . This is another state-sponsored side with activities and local information.

Alternatively, one can complete an on-line interest inventory at www.careerkey.org for a small fee.  Both yield accurate results and suggest job titles to investigate.

Step Two - Abilities.  All juniors are encouraged to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), usually offered in the winter. While it is used by military recruiters to identify students with skills utilized in the military, students have ABSOLUTELY NO OBLIGATION to respond positively to any inquiries from recruiters.  The ASVAB remains a valuable tool in identifying your own areas of strength; it compares your skills to those of similarly aged students.  Students who do not wish to  take the ASVAB but would like to identify their skills may contact the Guidance Office for an alternate assessment.  See www.asvabprogram.com for more information about the ASVAB and also for other excellent career information.

Step Three - Work Values.  While the size of a paycheck is often enough to make a job worthwhile, other features such as environment, traveling, and benefits also have an impact.  Identifying the features you MUST have and those you'd like to have will greatly affect your satisfaction.  Interested students can complete the Work Values Inventory on the Wizard site, or a self-assessment at home.

Step Four - Research.  The best first source of career field information is the Occupational Outlook Handbook.  The Media Center has printed copies.  It can also be accessed on-line at www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm .  Each entry includes job descriptions, work environment, training requirements, earnings, employment outlook, related occupations, and other sources of information. 

Step Five - Putting Yourself Out There.  You've done an amazing amount of work and now have a direction.  Try it out by: Volunteering or Working - the best way to find out what you like and don't like about a job is trying it;  Taking courses in high school and college - try new things; Talking to people in the field - if you can't immediately try it for yourself, talk to people who have. See your counselor to discuss options.

Getting a Job
If possible, try to find a job in or near the field you're interested in.  You'll have a resume enhancing experience and the chance to put your research to the test!

Step One - Where the Jobs Are
     * Newspapers - the Southside Sentinel comes out on Thursdays - and the help wanted ads are online
     * Networking - this is a fancy word for telling friends and family you're looking for work, and ask if they know of any openings.   They'll tell their friends who will tell their friends, and... (you get the idea). Having someone recommend you also increases your chances of being selected.
     * Stopping at a business, completing an application, and waiting for an opening.

Step Two - Completing Applications
     * ALWAYS dress appropriately, even if you're just dropping by for a minute.  First impressions last.  Consider this your first interview.
     * Be polite and respectful to EVERYONE you meet - again because of first impressions.  Also, receptionists and secretaries may have more say in the hiring process than you realize.
     * Bring information you are likely to need: social security number, names, addresses, and phone numbers of references and past employers, salary requirements.  
     * Always ask the people you will be using for references for their permission to be used as a reference - and be sure they will recommend you positively (they might like you personally, but think you would be a lazy employee).

Step Three -  Interviewing
     * ALWAYS dress appropriately.
     * Research typically asked questions and prepare  your answers in advance. 

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), many students are likely to enrol in a business school because majority of employers in the US prefer those with a degree in business administration, accounting, and finance. And among master’s degrees, MBA is the most desirable.

Because of the increase in demand for business degrees and MBA, we at Discover Business have created a database of business schools in the US, where prospective students can carefully evaluate their schools and programs of choice. You can find it here:

Business School Program Guide

OnlineMasters.com obtains the information on business schools and their program offerings from the AACSB, ACBSP, NCES, and also from the admissions office of each business school through a direct correspondence. We have also included comprehensive guides on how to pass the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT to help students get through admission.

OnlineMasters.com is to inspire others to influence society through the pursuit of higher education. We have an online database of tools, references, and articles that cover topics such as accreditation, job placement, and resources that can provide financial support. 

Resume writing guide for students is a guide to help teach high school students how to put together a high quality resume, even when they may not have any prior work experience.



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