School Counseling/Guidance Department

Important Notes:

Admission counselors can now go to CounselorCommunity.com to schedule an appointment with our high school.
Students, check out our new College Counseling web page and our College Planning and Financial Aid web page with all the important information you need!

About School Counseling/Guidance

The High School years are an exciting journey full of growth, promise, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Here are the many ways counselors play in role during these years:

High school counselors and school adjustment counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment.
High school counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals and realize their full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world and community.
High school counselors and school adjustment counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic, career and social/emotional development.
School adjustment counselors are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success.
High school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. High school social workers/school adjustment counselors are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person’s social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society.

Academic Programs and Information

HHS 21-22 School Profile (PDF) | En Español (PDF)
Programs of Study & Course Catalog 2020-21(PDF) | En Español (PDF)
Programs of Study & Course Catalog 2019-20 (PDF) | En Español (PDF)
Transcript Request Form

Early College and Dual Enrollment

Information about Early College and Dual Enrollment

Testing Information

ACT

ACT (Junior/Senior Year)

HHS School Code 221018

The ACT (American College Testing) is a timed standardized test widely used by college admission counselors in the admission process. The test consists of 4 sections: math, reading, grammar and science reasoning with an optional 5th section of writing. We highly encourage our students to take an ACT and SAT before the start of their senior year. The ACT is as widely accepted for college admission as is the SAT. For more information, please visit www.actstudent.org.

SAT

SAT (Junior/Senior Year)

Holyoke High School’s code: 221018

SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized, timed aptitude test used widely by college admissions counselors in the admission process. It consists of math, critical reading and writing sections. It is offered eight times per year nationally. Students may use calculators on the math sections. Generally, we encourage juniors to take the SAT in the spring and seniors to take or retake the SAT in October or November. Students may take the test on any test date. If the test is taken more than once, many colleges and universities will consider the best scores from each section and not just from one testing session. Sophomores may also take the SAT but we would recommend they at least attempt the PSAT first before they take the SAT.

The SAT II – Achievement/Subject Tests are one-hour tests in specific subjects such as science, English, or foreign languages. Some schools require two or three tests for first-year placement. Colleges that require the SAT II are typically the more competitive ones. Please visit www.sat.collegeboard.org for more information.

For registration information, deadlines and cost, please visit: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/

SAT Practice (Khan Academy)

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement Tests (AP) (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Year)

Holyoke High School currently offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in: English Language Composition, English Literature and Composition, Biology, Environmental Science, Calculus, Physics, European History, United States History, World History and Spanish Language and Culture. These courses are college level courses and the curriculum is designed and monitored by The College Board. Students in these courses are expected to participate in the Advanced Placement Testing Program implemented in May of each year. Students in these courses have the opportunity, through the Advanced Placement test results, to earn college credit for coursework completed in high school. The academic rigor of these courses necessitates some pre-requisites or recommendations be met for enrollment as outlined in our course guide. Students are responsible for sending their AP scores to the college that they will be attending.

Students enrolled in AP courses will receive instructions on how to register for their AP exam(s) and the costs involved with the test from their AP teacher. For more information please see the College Board’s website:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

Accuplacer

Accuplacer (Senior Year)

The Accuplacer is a placement test used once a student is accepted to a college. Two year and four year colleges use placement tests to:

Schedule students into classes
To identify if students must take remedial before college level courses.
Some colleges will use scores from the SAT or ACT in place of the Accuplacer

ACCUPLACER offers a suite of tests that determines your knowledge in math, reading and writing as you prepare to enroll in college-level courses. All Massachusetts community colleges, state colleges and universities utilize the ACCUPLACER. Most private colleges will utilize the ACCUPLACER or a similar test.

Any placement test administered by a college is used to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses in each subject area. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisors and college counselors to place you in the appropriate college courses that meet your skill level.

Practice tests are encouraged and available free of charge at: http://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students

Test Optional Colleges

Many colleges have opted to allow students to apply without submitting test scores. Even more colleges have decided not to require test scores (SAT/ACT) due to the limitations caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. This website offers a comprehensive list of test optional colleges.