Counseling Program
As a result of their participation in the Riverside Unified School District’s Counseling Program, students will be provided an opportunity to succeed at each grade level:
Ninth Grade
As a result of their participation in the Riverside Unified School District’s Counseling Program, students will be provided an opportunity to succeed at each grade level:
Ninth Grade
- Participate in high school orientation activities and become aware of extra-curricular options.
- Improve communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Develop a tentative four-year educational plan to address graduation requirements and future goals.
- Learn to appreciate their own uniqueness/culture.
- Become aware of the range of guidance and counseling services available at Poly High School.
- Complete an interest inventory and investigate career options in the Career Center.
- Be introduced to post-secondary educational options, including college admission requirements.
- Develop skills in decision-making, problem-solving, personal goal-setting/planning, study skills, time management, and coping with change.
- Receive assistance with personal/social/family problems which impede academic success.
- Be recommended for placement in special programs or classes when appropriate.
- Understand the importance of taking responsibility for their own behaviors and learning self-discipline.
- Update four-year educational plan to address graduation requirements and future goals.
- Complete an interest inventory and continue to investigate career options in the Career Center.
- Complete preliminary college testing (for interested students).
- Develop a working knowledge of entry-level skills required for a chosen career and/or post-high school educational program.
- Receive assistance with personal/social/family problems which impede academic success.
- Be recommended for placement in special programs or classes when appropriate.
- Receive special intervention programs for students who are not making satisfactory progress toward completion of graduation requirements.
- Explore alternatives to a traditional comprehensive high school diploma if applicable.
- Update four-year educational plan to address graduation requirements and future goals.
- Formulate a tentative post-high school plan for employment and/or further education based on personal interests and abilities.
- Research entrance requirements for specific colleges/trade schools.
- Complete preliminary college testing, including Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), SAT I & II, and/or the American College Test (ACT).
- Complete the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and receive interpretation by armed services representatives.
- Be exposed to a variety of career/college planning presentations by community/college representatives and military recruiters.
- Receive assistance with personal/social/family problems which impede academic success.
- Be recommended for placement in special programs or classes when appropriate.
- Be invited to participate in the UCR College Fair, RCC visitation, City of Riverside Job Expo, or ROP training.
- Review graduation status with counselors.
- Identify specific post-high school goals.
- Review college entrance requirements and college application processes.
- Receive periodic information on available scholarships and investigate specific information on scholarships, financial aid, and career opportunities.
- Develop vocational job skills, practice interview techniques, and prepare resumes.
- Receive assistance as needed with college/university applications, financial aid/scholarship forms, and letters of recommendation.
- Receive information about college visitations/preview days.
- Receive assistance with personal/social/family problems which impede academic success.
- Be exposed to a variety of career/college planning presentations by community/college representatives and military recruiters.
9th Grade
· Make sure you are taking the appropriate classes to graduation requirements and college entrance requirements.
- Begin a Four-Year Plan.
- Talk to your counselor about graduation requirements.
- Become familiar with the UC/CSU a-g subject requirements.
- Work on your grades! Aim for A’s and B’s in all of your classes.
- Start thinking about your academic and career goals.
- Use www.cacareerzone.com or Career Cruising at www.rusdlink.org/poly to do career searches and find your interests.
- Review your Four-Year Plan.
- Keep your grades up.
- Make preliminary inquiries about college. Use http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp for college searches. www.californiacolleges.eduprovides great information on CA colleges and universities.
- Take the PSAT (pre-SAT) test in the fall.(Optional) http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html
- Take the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). This test is required for graduation. www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs
- Make sure you are taking the appropriate courses. Challenge yourself to a rigorous schedule. Take honors or AP courses.http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
- Take the PSAT in the fall.(Optional) http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html
- Take the SAT http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/ and/or the ACT www.act.org in the Spring. www.number2.com and www.testprepreview.comoffer helpful study guides.
- Refine your list of possible college choices and review their entrance requirements.
- Use http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp. Visit individual college websites.
- VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES!!!
- Develop a resume. Visit http://acinet.org/acinet/resume/resume_intro.asp?nodeid=26 if you need help. You can also build a resume on Career Cruising at www.rusdlink.org/poly
- Apply for scholarships. Register with www.fastweb.com
- Apply for a PIN (electronic signature) for online FAFSA. www.pin.ed.gov
- Start talking to teachers, coaches, administrators, counselors, and people in the community about letters of recommendation.
- Athletes: Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
- Interested in the military? Not sure about what career to choose? Take the ASVAB – sign up in the Library. http://www.asvabprogram.com/
· Make sure you are taking the appropriate classes to graduation requirements and college entrance requirements.
- Must complete the SAT http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/ and/or the ACT www.act.org by December for UC/CSU admission.
- Turn in your Senior Letter of Recommendation Packet to your counselor. Read the scholarship bulletin and apply for all eligible opportunities.
- Narrow your college choices. Be sure you are aware of ALL DEADLINES and APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. Set up a calendar and be VERY ORGANIZED.
- CSU Application period: October 1st to November 30th. www.csumentor.edu
- UC Application period: November 1st to November 30th. www.universityofcalifornia.edu
- Check each private school and out of state school's websites for application deadlines and requirements. Many colleges and universities use the Common Application www.commonapp.org
- Apply for Financial Aid. If you haven't done so already, apply for a PIN (electronic signature) for online FAFSA. www.pin.ed.gov
- For more information about Cal Grant, visit https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp Poly will submit the Cal Grant GPA for all seniors.
- Attend the Financial Aid Workshop in January.
- Complete and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 2nd at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- In the spring, sit down with your parents and list the pros and cons of each school you are considering. Compare up to three colleges side by side using http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/sidebyside.jsp Compare financial aid awards usinghttp://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/compare_aid.jsp
- Some private colleges/universities require you to apply for Financial Aid using the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp