Course Requests for 2023/2024

• Review and/or complete course requests- course request instructions and resources includes worksheet, course selection sheets, instructions to enter courses into StudentVue, electives video, classroom presentations and Program of Studies. Your School Counselor will be inviting you to individual student conferences  in March.  Click here for additional course details.  Learn more about our Social Sciences courses.

  • Open up StudentVue and select the tab ‘Course Requests’.  Email your Counselor if unable to access courses.

  • Make sure you have 8 blocks including both semesters of study hall

  • Sequential electives for both the Standard and Advanced Studies Diploma (click here for details)

  • Research the Academies of Loudoun for your senior year                                                                                                                                                                                       

  • Consider Personal Finance/Economics in your junior year

  • Diploma type (Standard/Advanced Studies)- confirm the graduation requirements for your preferred diploma type

  • Do the courses reflect your strengths, goals, and interests? Do your plans meet college entrance requirements or prepare you for an intended major or career?

  • Consider balance- rigor of classes, sports, clubs, work, social life

  • Review graduation status in StudentVue-while in the 'Course Requests' tab, scroll down to Graduation Status Summary

  • If interested in Virtual Loudoun over the summer, still sign up for 7 courses and we will adjust your requests after you register. Summer registration opens April 17th

• What to consider -Advice on selecting high school courses

• Other graduation considerations-click on the ‘Test History’ tab in StudentVue and scroll down to see status

  • First Aid, CPR, AED- completions of your certification

  • CTE certification- required for Standard Diploma

  • End of Year tests- SOLs; the School Counselors and Testing Coordinator will update students as per VDOE

 Forms and documents- based on your course selections

Learn about the differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses

NOVA Dual Enrollment:

• You will need to register for a NOVA EMPLID first, then complete and submit the Intent to Enroll Form

• Carefully follow the directions for submitting the' Dual Enrollment Intent to Enroll' online form (deadline will be announced soon)

• School Counselors will provide additional information as well as verify eligibility and approve the form

Additional information and activities

• Read your school emails weekly for important information and announcements

• Learn more about the tremendous features and tools in Naviance Student

  • Research: colleges, majors, careers and personal assessments to help you with your post-secondary planning

    • Open up Naviance Student in your LCPSGO then click on Colleges at the top of your page and SuperMatch College Search under Find Your Fit

• Complete the Academic and Career Plan survey

• Explore the resources on the School Counseling website

  • College & Career – lots of excellent resources including scholarships

  • Prepare for College PowerPoint

  • College Planning Guide

  • BigFuture by College Board

• Insider's Guide to College Admissions- overview of the application process from a Dean of Admissions

• Determine if the SAT or ACT are required, schedule the exam/s for spring

  • Understanding 'Test Optional' colleges

  • PSAT/SAT/ACT testing schedule, need for Subject Tests/essay,  AP exams- what do colleges require

    • Students take the PSAT in October and receive Score Report in December. Plan to take the SAT/ACT in the spring of your junior year

  • Plan Ahead for the PSAT/SAT or ACT- download handout

• You can visit the ACT or College Board websites for updates and free resources, the School Counseling department will share information as it becomes available

  • Some colleges and universities are 'test optional' - FairTest is a good resource

  • Research polices for ACT and SAT admissions requirements- especially important with the post COVID-19 individual college/university policies

  • Review the resources on the SBHS Counseling website

• Student Athletes (DI & DII)- register NCAA Eligibility Center (Profile Page or Certification Account) by end of junior year and upload final transcript when available. Create an account this year to access resources throughout your senior year

• NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete- changes regarding the SAT/ACT requirement

• Tips to prepare for athletic recruiting process

• Benefits of playing at a Junior College

• VHSL eligibility for high school sports and activities

• If applying to a University of California System school- be aware of the A-G course entrance requirements, pay close attention to the Fine Arts requirement

• Considering studying in the UK?- Know the academic and testing requirements so that you can plan early

• Learn about the application process for the Military Service Academies

• If considering a University of California System school- be aware of the A-G course entrance requirements, pay close attention to the Fine Arts requirement

• Considering studying in the UK?- Know the academic and testing requirements so that you can plan early

• View the weekly College & Career email from Mrs. Jones

Suggested activities for spring and summer:

• • Continue working closely with your teachers to ensure the best grades possible, build a strong foundation in the 9th grade.

  • Learn about Roadtrip Nation- help with possible careers and educational paths. Built into Naviance Student (click on Careers then Explore Roadtrip Nation videos)

  • Start building your college list, subscribe to their social media, consider campus visits over the summer or take virtual tours of interested colleges/schools

    • You Visit

    • Campus Tours

    • eCampus Tours

  • Plan to attend College Fairs over this spring, summer or next fall

  • Determine if the SAT or ACT are required, schedule the exam/s for junior year after the fall PSAT in 11th grade . Plan on next PSAT in October. 

    • SAT/ACT testing schedule,  AP exams

      • You can visit the ACT or College Board websites for updates, the School Counseling department will share information as it becomes available

      • Some colleges and universities are 'test optional' - FairTest is a good resource 

      • Research polices for ACT and SAT admissions requirements- especially important with the COVID-19 restrictions and individual college/university policies

      • Review the resources on the SBHS Counseling website

      • Plan Ahead for the SAT or ACT- download handout

  • Learn about the application process for the Military Service Academies

    • timeline for sophomore/ junior / senior year

    • consider a Summer Leadership Experience (ie: West Point)

    • Learn about ROTC scholarships and programs

  • Explore internships/volunteer/enrichment program opportunities, in your potential major or career. Many colleges offer on-campus summer programs. 

• Plan extracurricular activities- in school or community

• Consider a part-time job

• Suggested summer activities to boost your college application

  • Consider leadership roles in one of our school based clubs next year, maybe try out a sport to challenge yourself

  • Begin working on your resume, it will be very helpful when you decide to apply to colleges or seek employment after graduation.

• • • Naviance Student has a template, log into your Naviance Student account then click on About Me then My Stuff

  • Think about Letters of Recommendation – you want to start building relationships with your teachers, especially if you will be asking them for a letter at the end of your junior year. Many 4-year colleges require one or two teacher recommendations. 

 Communication with School Counselors

It is important to stay in touch throughout the remainder of the school year:

• • Send an email to your assigned School Counselor 

  • Fill out an Appointment Request  form available in the Counseling Office

  • Naviance Student- emails will be sent for general announcements, so please read messages from ‘mailer@email.naviance.com’.  It is important to check your ‘junk folder’ and mark these emails as ‘Not Junk’.