PHS

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Post

Secondary

Planning

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Mrs. Heather Murgida

Mr. Alexander MacLeod

Mrs. Linda Murphy

Mrs. Rhonda Dion - Grade 9 Counselor

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Mrs. Karyn Sarkis - Director of Student Services Grades 6-12

CTE Director

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Dr. Lynne Bedard- Career Counselor- lbedard@fgschools.com

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Mrs. Jennifer Boucher- Secretary

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Ponaganset School Counselors

• 4 credits English
• 4 credits Math

(min of Algebra II required for 4 year college acceptance)

• 3 credits Science

(min of 2 lab sciences required for college admission; Bio/Chem; Physics required for Engineering/PT/Nursing)

• 3 credits Social Studies (US History required)
• 2 (.5 each year) credits Phys Ed/Health
• .5 credits computer science (beginning with class of 2027
• 2 credits of the same world language

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PHS Graduation Requirements

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• .50 credit in Fine Arts

(Chorus, Band, or Art)

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• 5.5 credits in additional electives

2 Years minimum of the SAME World Language

(required for 4 year college acceptance; 3 recommended)

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• Successful completion of Senior Passion Project

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Total number credits for Graduation: 22 total

18 CORE ACADEMIC CREDITS

required for 4 year college acceptance

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PHS Graduation Requirements

• Selection of courses for senior year takes place in January.

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• It is important to choose appropriately challenging courses.

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• Colleges examine grades closely through the end of the senior year.

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• No matter what your post high school plans, the high school transcript will be viewed.

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• It is highly discouraged to drop a class after the add/drop period in the senior year…only under extenuating circumstances with administration’s approval.

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• A “W” withdrawn will show up on the transcript.

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Strong Senior Schedule

• The GPA includes all classes- except those outside of the 7 credits.
• We report on the weighted GPA to colleges
• Our transcript includes both simple and

weighted GPA

• Honors Level and AP courses hold an

extra weight in the GPA

• Cumulative GPAs are calculated every SEMESTER.
• Therefore, the GPA you earn at the end

of Junior year will essentially be the GPA that appears on college applications.

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TIP: Keep GPA/Test Scores private

GPA - Grade Point Average

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• Weighted GPA will be used to determine students ability to graduate with honors; class rank will no longer be used

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• Latin system of honors:
• Summa Cum Laude: 4.43 or higher
• Magna Cum Laude: 4.10
• Cum Laude: 3.77

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GPA - Grade Point Average

CCRI Running Start Program (fully funded)

• Complete senior year of high school and freshman year of college at the same time
• No fee to attend. School district pays for books
• Deadline May 1
• 2.7 (unweighted) High School GPA
• PSAT/SAT above 410 in Reading/Writing and 411 in Math
• If no PSAT/SAT scores, must score college ready in Reading, Writing and Math on Accuplacer

https://www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/partnerships/runningstart.html

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New England Institute of Technology:

NEIT Dual Enrollment (fully funded)

Dual Enrollment Opportunities

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Johnson and Wales University:

JWU early enrollment

Roger Williams University: RWU Early Enrollment

Dual Enrollment Opportunities Others

All Course Network

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• Students can register to take college courses at a variety of campuses

(NEIT, Roger Williams University,Johnson and Wales University, High Schools around the state, online and campus formats)

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Website: https://enrollri.org/acn

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Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Rhode Island College EEP Courses:

- US History - Intro. To Visual Arts

- Spanish IV - Elementary Music Theory

- Digital Audio Production I - Orientation to Medical Imaging

- Music History - US Government & Politics

URI Dual Enrollment Opportunities:

• Intro to Literature 110 - College Writing 104
• Computer Science

Roger Williams University

• EMT (CCRI) and Criminal Justice Programs (Roger Williams)

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Dual Enrollment Opportunities at PHS

Internship Program for High School Juniors

Start building your future through an Internship Program which provides paid summer work-based learning opportunities connecting school and work.

Earn - Interns are paid, earn college credits.

Learn - Learn critical work readiness skills, explore skills and careers and learn workplace expectations.

Connect - Make connections with top RI employers and peers. Jump start your career and start building your resume.

PHS will inform all juniors and their parents of any scheduled meetings and provide information as it becomes available, which should be soon!

https://skillsforri.com/prepareri-high-school-internship-program

PrepareRI

• Employment
• Technical and Vocational Education
• Apprenticeship Training Programs
• Armed Forces
• US Service Academies
• Community College/Junior College
• Colleges and Universities / ROTC
• Post Graduate Year (GAP)

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Post Secondary Options

• School Counselors, Career Coordinator
• Teachers
• College Websites, Campus Visits
• College Fairs
• College Representative visits to PHS
• College Planning Center of Rhode Island (Financial Aid).
• Military Recruiter Visits
• Visits from various Trades & Vocational Reps

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Resources

Military

Trades

• Grades in academic classes all 4 years

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• Levels of academic classes (Rigor of coursework)
• Standardized Test Scores
• Grades in all other courses

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• Special Talent
• Essay or Writing Sample
• Counselor Recommendation
• Teacher Recommendation(s)
• Student’s Demonstrated Interest
• Interview (if required)
• Work/Extra Curricular activities (in and out of school)

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What are Colleges Looking for?

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• Review interests, skills

and talents

• Keep a record of volunteer and community service
• Note recognitions; honors and awards you receive
• Record work experiences, noting employer and dates
• Develop and refine a resume
• Ask supervisors and teachers for recommendations

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List Accomplishments

• ART – students should talk with their art teacher(s)

regarding portfolio requirements

Visit www.portfolioday.net for information about National Portfolio Day.

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• ATHLETICS – students should talk with their coach(s)
• Potential Div I or Div II athletes must complete

the NCAA Eligibility Application at www.eligibilitycenter.org/

- Potential Div III athletes should seek advice from

their high school coach

- See Mr. Joyce Athletic Director, for more information

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• MUSIC/THEATER – students should talk with their music teacher(s) regarding auditions and/or supplementary materials.

Special Interest

• The essay provides evidence of your personality and experiences that are not reflected in other parts of your application.

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• Application essay questions have no right or wrong answers.

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• Essay assistance is available with Senior English Teachers. Some English teachers will be assigning this in your Junior or Senior English class.

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• Some students may wish to begin their essay over the summer.

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Essay/Personal Statement

SAT

www.collegeboard.com

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STATE SAT date: April 8, 2026

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ACT

www.actstudent.org

College Entrance Exams

The above web addresses will have information

regarding registration, fees and a complete

listing of all dates and deadlines.

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SAT vs. ACT

Digital SAT vs. ACT: Which should you take?

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SAT/ACT Test Dates

SAT School Day

Starting in the 2017-18 school year, the PSAT 10 and the SAT with Essay became the assessments administered to all 10th and 11th grade high school students in Rhode Island.

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Increased participation in the PSAT 10 and the SAT with Essay was the first step toward ensuring more students are college and career ready. These assessments maintain an appropriately high standard for Rhode Island students and are good tools to help close the gap between expected future job requirements for post-secondary education and current college enrollment and completion.

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Spring 2025 RI State Assessment Administration (School Day)

April 9 ~ Grade 11 SAT (Digital)

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( No cost to students/families for School Day exams.)

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• Do not let the college/post-secondary process overtake your life
• Stay Organized
• Ask for help when needed
• Do not discuss college issues or post-secondary plans at home everyday
• Do not believe everything you hear from others

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Stress Reducing Tips

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• Your School Counselor will be meeting with you individually before you leave for the summer to go over your academic credits/graduation requirements, preparing to apply for college, internships, job shadows, and any other post-secondary plans.

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• Plan to continue to check your email since we send out information that way on a regular basis.

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QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS