The Guidance Department of Archbishop Alter High School provides a comprehensive, developmental program that promotes the academic, career and personal/social development of all students. Our counseling program is committed to working in collaboration with educators, parents and community members to ensure all students have access to and are prepared with the knowledge and skills to become productive, responsible members of society and lifelong learners.
The guidance counselors strive to advise all students throughout the school year, via classroom guidance and individual formal conferences. In addition, a student may request an appointment with the counselors at any time by visiting the main guidance office.
In addition to our Guidance Counseling and Taylor Resource Center, there are other ways we help to prepare you for your future college path. (See College Preparation & Guidance Process.)
In order to graduate from Alter High School: Each student is required to successfully complete the yearly Theology program, state required courses, and have a total of 24 credits in order to receive a diploma from Alter High School.
| Courses | Credit |
|---|---|
| Theology | 4 credits (1 credit per year at Alter) |
| English | 4 credits |
| Math | 4 credits |
| Social Studies | 3 credits |
| Science | 3 credits |
| Fine Arts | 1 credit |
| Physical Ed | 1/2 credit* |
| Health | 1/2 credit |
| Speech | 1/2 credit |
| Technology Skills & Ethics | 1 credit |
Most college applications are done solely online. A particular college may have their own application or a college may be on the Common Application. Please refer to the college website for details on applying.
To see a listing of colleges on the Common Application or to complete an application, visit the following site: CommonApp.org
If a student needs assistance with completing the Common App, please refer to the Guide to Completing the Common App or make an appointment with his/her Guidance counselor. Please also reference the College Application Reminders.
Throughout your professional career, you may need to provide a transcript for an employer to verify your high school education. Our Guidance Staff at Alter is here to help.
Review eligibility criteria to map out academic track (use Division I and Division II worksheets)
Double check to make sure that you are taking classes that match your high school’s List of NCAA Courses (use Alter’sCourse Description Book or the NCAA Eligibility Center’s website)
CEEB/ACT Code = 362794
Register with the NCAA (www.eligibilitycenter.org) at the beginning of your sophomore year.
Request from the Guidance office that your official transcript be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center after the completion of your sophomore year.
Send your standardized test scores directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center through ACT or SAT using code 9999.
Other Useful Links:
Students wishing to take a college visit, which will require an absence from school, need to do the following:
A student is allowed a total of three (3) college visit absences throughout their junior and senior years.
Please consult the student handbook for further details on taking a college visit.
Throughout the first semester, representatives from schools across the country visit Alter to provide seniors and juniors an opportunity to learn more about their respective colleges and universities. The individual admissions representatives are scheduled in the Library or Guidance office at a specific time during the school day.
A complete listing of colleges scheduled will be available in the Guidance office, posted outside the Guidance office, and listed in the Alter Update. This list will be updated throughout the fall, so be sure to check it out as often as possible. Seniors may also find the complete list of college visits in their Naviance account and will need to sign up through Naviance. Juniors must sign up in the Guidance office to attend a presentation. A pass will be given for admittance the day of the presentation based on the sign-up list. Seating is often limited, so please sign up as soon as possible. Parents are also welcomed to attend any college presentation. Please call or email the Guidance office to reserve a spot. (428-5316 or cathy.waag@alterhs.org.)
Both seniors and juniors are allowed to attend up to FIVE presentations in the course of the year. Although they will be excused for up to five, it is still up to the student to inform their teacher of an intended absence from class. All work turned in, tests or test review, assigned work, etc. during the class absence is also their responsibility.
If you have any questions about attending a presentation, please contact your Guidance Counselor or come to the Guidance office.
Standardized tests may be required for college admission. Also, these tests are often needed for many scholarship opportunities. Juniors are strongly encouraged to take one or both of these tests for the first time in spring of their junior year. Alter administers the ACT to all juniors (free of charge) in the spring as part of the state testing requirement for graduation and this test may also be used toward any college admission requirements.
Online registration, test dates and locations are available at www.actstudent.org (ACT) and www.collegeboard.com (SAT). When registering for either test, Alter’s CEEB code will need to be input.
The CEEB code for Alter is: 362794
Alter veteran teachers, Jennifer Schlangen and Michelle Popp conduct an ACT/SAT preparation class up to twice a year based on interest and enrollment. An email about specific dates and when a session is scheduled is usually sent out to Sophomores, Juniors and their parents with the details prior to registration for the class. Here are some basic facts about the sessions:
This course is designed to give specific strategies and instruction in the areas of math, vocabulary, English usage and writing, and overall standardized test-taking skills and tips.
Students become familiar with the ACT test by taking both a pre-test and a post-test.
Classes run five weeks are held on Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The cost for the class is $215 and includes all necessary materials and a review book that students keep (this will be billed via FACTS).
Sessions are usually held in the fall and spring depending on registration.
A minimum of 20 students are needed in order to run the class.
If you have any questions regarding the classes, please feel free to contact Ms. Jennifer Schlangen, jennifer.schlangen@alterhs.org or Mrs. Michelle Popp, michelle.popp@alterhs.org
