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COUNSELING SERVICES

Individual Counseling
Small Group Counseling
Social/Emotional Support

Emotional Regulation
Coping Skills

Relationship Skills

Peer relationship issues
Family systems

Grade-Level Guidance/Presentations

FAFSA Night
Dual Credit Meeting
Grade Level Presentations

Educational/Academic Guidance

College, Career, Military Readiness
Graduation Requirements/Schedules

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INFORMED CONSENT/ CONFIDENTIALITY

Counselors, Student Assistance Counselors, and Social Workers are here to listen, advocate, and support you without judgement.

What you say in our office stays in our office. There are a few exceptions to this rule:

If you share with us that you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, we will share in order to get help and keep you safe.

If you share with us that someone is hurting you or has hurt you in the past, or you are aware of someone that is being hurt, we will share in order to get help and keep you safe.

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SCHEDULING A MEETING

There are several ways students can

request to meet with their counselor:

Scan your counselor’s QR code

They can be found in teacher classrooms, outside of the counseling office, bulletin boards, water fountains, and in the library

If unable to scan a QR code, fill out a paper request in the counseling office
Send your counselor an email
Stop by to see if we are available!
IN AN EMERGENCY, students should NOT leave the counseling office!

Emergencies are… situations that are potentially harmful to overall health of you or other person (hurting self, someone else hurting you, intent to hurt someone else)
Schedule changes, college questions, transcript requests are not emergencies

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SCHEDULING PROCESSES

Schedule correction requests made prior to school starting, must meet at least one of the following criteria:

A correction due to an ERROR in the schedule (example:

repeat class, two classes in the same period, shortage of classes, sequencing problems, balance cores, rescheduling of failed classes, completed class during the summer)

Schedule balancing (typically 2 cores course per term)
On-campus Program/Placement issues (example: Band, Choir, Athletics, ROTC etc.)
Please note that certain schedule changes are not available - for example:

Elective changes
Core class changes including level changes
VLA class to an in-person class changes
Career Center class changes

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SCHEDULING TIMELINE

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UTILIZING RESOURCES

FMHS Counseling Page

The counseling page of the FMHS website has a wealth of information! FMHS Counseling Page
When questions arise, consider browsing the website.
Scholarships are updated every week, so please check-in periodically.

Counselors

We are here to help if/when you are not finding the answers you need! Always feel free to ask.

FMHS Newsletter

The FMHS weekly newsletter provides information about upcoming events.

College Admissions Advisors

Admissions representatives are eager to help answer your questions.
Additionally, they are part of the review process for admissions, and they document touch points with potential students.

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ACCESSING THE WEBSITE

lisd.net/fmhs
Drop down tab: Programs & Services
Select Counseling

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

4 English Credits

English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4

4 Math Credits

Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2 (for DLA and 4-year university)
Additional Math Credit

4 Science Credits

Biology
Chemistry OR Physics
Additional Science Credit
Additional Science Credit

4 Social Studies Credits

World Geography OR World History
US History
Additional Social Studies Credit
Government AND Economics

1 PE
1 Fine Art
2 consecutive Language Other Than English (LOTE) of the SAME language

WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENDORSEMENT (26 credits):

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Verify accuracy of name (spelling)
GPA
Rank
State Credits vs. Local Credits
Compare to graduation requirements

READING A TRANSCRIPT

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GPA Info: Counseling

Website

GPA INFORMATION

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RANK OPT OUT

Students have two windows of opportunities to remove class rank from the transcript:

May 15 - 30, 2025 (spring of junior year)
September 15 - 30, 2025 (fall of senior year)

Once the rank is removed from the transcript, it cannot go back on the transcript.

Parents must complete the request in FAMILY ACCESS in Skyward

Families will receive emails with dates and instructions as the windows approach.

*NOTE: Students in the top 10% WILL have rank posted on the transcript.

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POST HIGH

SCHOOL OPTIONS

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Attend a 4-year university
Junior/Community College
Career/Technical School

POST HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS

Military Enlistment/ROTC Scholarship/Academies
Apprenticeship Programs
Gap Year
Join the workforce

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COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL

Local Community Colleges

North Central Texas College

https://www.nctc.edu/

Dallas College

https://www.dallascollege.edu/

Collin College

https://www.collin.ed

Technical and Trade Schools

Universal Technical Institute - Irving

https://www.uti.edu/

Texas State Technical College - Waco

https://www.tstc.edu/

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ARMY

https://www.goarmy.com/

MARINES

https://www.marines.com/

NAVY

https://www.navy.mil/

AIR FORCE

https://www.airforce.com/

COAST GUARD

https://www.gocoastguard.com/

MILITARY

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COLLEGE

READINESS

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Things to consider:

Your interests/what you want to study - your intended Major
Location of school

Distance from home, weather, population, city/rural/suburban

Chance of being admitted
Cost of attending (tuition, room/board, books/fees, travel)
Setting of school

Public vs. Private

Size of campus/student population
Social life/extracurricular activities
Campus atmosphere (sports, sororities/fraternities, campus activities, school traditions)
Virtual Campus tours: https://www.smore.com/rcsp1

*Don’t be swayed by a school’s reputation or status

*Don’t attend a school because of friends

FINDING THE RIGHT SCHOOL

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For a university in Texas you need:

Foundation High School Plan (FHSP)
ONE Endorsement
Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) - ( includes Algebra 2)
Meet the college’s admission requirements

Outside of Texas you need:

A valid high school diploma and to meet the college’s admission requirements
You may need to contact an admissions representative at the college if you have questions about high school courses needed for admission

NOTE: Every university has different requirements - students need to check with the specific university for their requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

(4-Year Universities)

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Top Factors in Admissions Decisions

Grades in all classes
Grades in college prep courses (AP & Honors)
Strength of curriculum
Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT)

Among the Next Most Important Factors

Your essay
Extracurricular activities/volunteer work
Demonstrated interest in the college - lunch visits, tour the campus, contact admissions advisors
Counselor and teacher recommendations (when required by the school)
Class rank

Opt-Out of class rank window -

May and September

ADMISSIONS FACTORS

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ENTRANCE EXAMS

Many colleges are moving away from “test optional”; do your research to determine if the colleges you are applying to require SAT/ACT
Even schools that do not require the SAT/ACT may use those scores in holistic review of applicants and scholarships

ACT: www.act.org
SAT: www.collegeboard.org

Test preparation is available on the websites above

Students submit test scores to the colleges. SAT/ACT scores are not on the transcript. FMHS does not submit test scores.

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TSI Testing Information

What is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment?

The TSI Assessment is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment, unless you meet an exemption criterion, to determine your readiness for college-level work.

TSI ASSESSMENT

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ADMISSIONS

TERMINOLOGY

Admissions Clarification: FMHS Counseling Page

Is Early Decision Right For Me?

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JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE

SCHOOL YEAR TIMELINE

Research and learn about colleges, careers, military options
Make a file to manage your searches, testing, and application information in ONE location

using a spreadsheet like the one linked here is helpful!

Discuss financial aid and expenses with family
Register for entrance exams - Begin taking SAT and/or ACT in the Spring of Junior year

Visit colleges (2 college visits allowed per year for attendance purposes)
Visit college representatives during lunches
If applicable, register with NCAA Clearinghouse – students request their transcript be sent to NCAA through Scribbles at the end of Junior year
Continue to build and update resume - extracurricular activities, work experience, community service, leadership, awards/honors received

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JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE

SUMMER AFTER JUNIOR YEAR

Begin to narrow list of college choices
Begin looking at college applications when they are available for viewing
Research essay prompts and work on/complete college essays
Review your transcript to make sure you are on track for graduation requirements
Check course admission requirements for your schools of choice
Update your college spreadsheet: list of schools to which you are applying, due dates, application requirements, etc.
College visits and tours
Finalize your resume
Gather financial information – FAFSA opens in December
Create Common App account and familiarize yourself with the process

Enter your counselor’s email address in “Recommenders”
Use @lisd.net - DO NOT use @staff.lisd.net

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FMHS COLLEGE SPREADSHEET

Creating a spreadsheet to manage your searches, testing, and application information in ONE location is very helpful!

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COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Throughout the school year, college representatives from around the country visit FMHS during all 4 lunches.

On the FMHS counseling website, you’ll find the link to the calendar to see who’s coming and when!

College Rep Visits Calendar

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The University of North Texas Office of Outreach has representatives from their GO Center who visit high school campuses in the area to meet with individual students to help promote attending college. Go Center representatives can assist our students with a variety of college questions from the application process to financial aid. They are available to meet with any student, not just students interested in attending UNT.

Students should be on the lookout for emails about Go Center visits and how to sign up!

UNT GO CENTER