Classes of
2026
2027
PHS Panthers
We are KIND.
We have INTEGRITY.
We are DETERMINED to show EXCELLENCE in everything we do!
PGSD Mission
The mission of the PGSD is to lead and inspire our diverse student body to achieve academic and personal excellence while making positive impacts in our evolving society.
Senior Admin
Mr. Milton Ray III - Principal
mlray@pgsd.ms
Junior Admin
Mrs. Trina Barta Assistant Principal
tbarta@pgsd.ms
Counseling Team
Counselors
9th - 12th
A - ES
Counselors
9th- 12th
Et - Los
Counselors
Leah Stokes
lstokes@pgsd.ms
9th - 12th
Lot - Rod
Counselors
Bridgitt Peden
bpeden@pgsd.ms
9th - 12th
Roe - Z
Career Center
Robin Goff
ragoff@pgsd.ms
What’s your plan??
*****Cost of Attendance*****
University of Southern Miss
MGCCC Perkinston
Tuition-$1800 (15-21 hours)
Registration fee- $125
Resource fee-$225
Technology fee-$200
Lab fees-$50
Housing/food-$2875
Total: $ 5275 estimate per semester
FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid
STATE AID
HELP Grant-2.5 GPA, 20 ACT, financial need based on parental income, can pay up to full tuition
MESG-MS Eminent Scholars Grant-3.5 GPA, 29 ACT, $2500/semester
MTAG-MS Tuition Assistance Grant-2.5 GPA, 15 ACT Composite, $500/Semester first 2 years, then $1000/semester Junior and Senior year.
MS Scholars and Techmaster
MS Scholars-80 hours of community service, 19 ACT or 36 ASVAB, 2.5 GPA, 95% attendance, chemistry and 2 years of foreign language or 5th math or 2 DC courses + core curriculum
Techmaster-4 CTE credits, Geometry, 80 community service, 19 ACT, + core curriculum
No scholarship money with these but tells employers/business leaders that you’ve done more than what is required.
Things to Remember!
More to remember!
Counseling Dept. Duties:
MS Diploma Tracks
Traditional Diploma
Academic Endorsement
Distinguished Academic Endorsement
Career & Technical or JROTC Endorsement
In order to graduate high school, a student must pass MAAP Tests (state test) in the following subject areas:
A student will not graduate until he or she passes the MAAP tests. This is state law. This can be the biggest roadblock to graduation. The student will test until he or she passes all the state test.
Early Release Requirements
College & Career
We do everything we can to support your student and his or her goals. We aim to help them find their fit in college, the military, or the workforce.
Please reach out to your child’s counselor at any time along the way.
College and Career Resources
It’s never too early to start thinking about life after graduation. Here are some websites you can visit to learn more.
What Can I Do With This Major?
https://career.berkeley.edu/Resources/Majors2Careers
ONet Online
Senior Checklist
Senior Checklist
Meet with counselor to discuss plans for after high school- college, work, military
Make sure you are meeting all graduation requirements, checking for diploma endorsements
Review HELP grant requirements, MS Scholar requirements
Complete FAFSA
Complete college applications
Add PHS and college deadlines to your calendar; get in the habit of checking calendar daily
Apply for financial aid at your college choices by visiting their financial aid websites
Senior Checklist
Check senior canvas at least once per week for scholarships and other important information
Register to take the ACT as often as possible, ask Goff about possible fee waivers, conduct ACT prep- ACTstudent.org, bootcamps here at school, ACT prep books, GET2College in Ocean Springs, packets from career center
Make complete, accurate list of all community service you have completed throughout high school
Apply for all available scholarships
Arrange college visits
Ask counselors, teachers for letters of recommendation
Type your resume, have counselor or teacher proofread your resume
Paying for College!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
MS Financial Aid
Paying for College!
Scholarships:
CCTI Scholarship Opportunity
MGCCC New Century Skills Scholarship
Expert Scholar
Master Scholar
ActiveParent
Active Parent Portal: Here you will be able to see all grades and schedules for your student. THIS is how you monitor grades.
REGISTER:
https://psd.activeparent.net/
Our teachers are excellent communicators, but Active Parent is used for reporting grades, so that teachers’ time may be prioritized to meet the needs of all of our students.
Please use ActiveParent. Do not expect your child’s teachers to email you solely for updating grades.
The ACT is IMPORTANT
The ACT has become the primary way that students qualify for scholarships for college. The higher the score, the more money you could potentially get.
Superscore: if a student takes the ACT more than once then they will have a superscore. It is the highest subscore of each section averaged together.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes and awards students who have attained proficiency in one or more world languages and English by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy demonstrates attainment of biliteracy for students, employers, and postsecondary institutions; and it signals a student’s readiness for college and career and for engagement as a global citizen.
Resume
Your student should have developed a resume at this point. Counselors and teachers will ask for resumes when writing letters of recommendations for scholarships/jobs.
Make sure to include work experiences and volunteer hours, community service, involvement in clubs and organizations, etc.
Goula Guidance