Sophomores visiting Boston College

College and Career Readiness (CCR) at Somerville High School

Somerville High School College Fair

Date: October 19, 2023

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: SHS Cafeteria

Attendees: Assumption University, Bennington College, Bentley University, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Bryant University, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Emmanuel College, Endicott College, Fisher College, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Lesley University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mass Bay Community College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Merrimack College, Montserrat College of Art, Nichols College, Northeastern University, North Shore Community College, Plymouth State University, Rivier College, Roxbury Community College, Saint Joseph's College of Maine, Salem State University, Simmons University, Smith College, Southern New Hampshire University, Suffolk University, Syracuse University, Tufts University, United States Naval Academy, University of Massachusetts - Boston, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts - Lowell, University of New Hampshire, University of New Haven, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Wesleyan University, Westfield State University, Wheaton College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University (as of October 19, 2023)

Lunch Visits

Throughout the school year representatives from colleges/universities, the military and other organizations will come for a lunch visit. They will be set up at a table in the cafeteria during all 3 lunches. Students do not need to schedule a time to visit. They can visit the representative anytime during their lunch period. 

Click here to see a list of lunch visitors


College and Career Readiness at Somerville High School aims to prepare all students for postsecondary success. The goal is for all students to understand the multiple paths they have after high school, allow students to identify the path that is best for them, and prepare students to take the necessary steps to be successful in that path. The curriculum is delivered in a variety of ways.

In the 2023-2024 School Year, the College & Career Team is working to provide a variety of events in our college & career readiness curriculum in-person and remotely. This will include the following events and programs.

College & Career Calendar of Events - School Year 2023-2024

12th GRADE COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING EVENTS
  • August 23, 2023 (10am): College Essay Workshop Sign up Form
  • August 24, 2023 (1:30pm): College Essay Workshop Sign up Form
  • September 20, 2023 (1:45pm): Early Application Meeting
  • September 21, 2023:Post HS Planning Night at Back to School Night
  • October 5, 2023 (7pm-8pm; Zoom):Financial Aid Night
  • October 11, 2023 (7am-1pm): SAT School Day
  • October 14, 2023 (10am-12pm): CSS Profile Event
  • December (tentative): Financial Aid Application Event - FAFSA focus
  • February 15, 2024: State College On the Spot Admissions Day
  • March 28, 2024: Community College On the Spot Admissions Day 
  • April 11, 2024: Alternative Pathways Fair
  • May 10, 2024: First Generation Breakfast

11th GRADE COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING EVENTS

We host a series of in-person and virtual college & career planning events that we hope will provide you with the opportunity to connect with us to get the information and support you need! All events are for 11th grade students and parents/guardians/families. You can plan to attend all or some of the events below. After each presentation, we plan to provide a video of the same information (note: the meetings themselves will not be recorded). The Zoom link for all events will be sent out by Melanie Kessler. You can contact Melanie at mkessler@k12.somerville.ma.us for more information.

  • College & Career Kickoff for Juniors (November 16th - 7:00pm-8:00pm): Find out how college & career services will work for you and your student at SHS and learn about your options after high school. We will also discuss the PSAT/SAT plan at this meeting. 
  • Intro to College Basics: Learn about four-year colleges and community colleges, the differences between them, the steps and timeline for applying, and how SHS will help.
  • Financial Aid Intro for Juniors: Learn the basics of how college financial aid works and the timeline for applying.
  • Pre Summer Meeting for Juniors

Interpreters will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
Los intérpretes estarán disponibles en español.
Intérpretes estarão disponíveis em português.
N’ap gen entèprèt disponib an Kreyòl Ayisyen.

 

College & Career Lessons in Classrooms

Throughout the year, College & Career Team members may visit students’ classrooms. For example, the team may collaborate with senior English classes on writing a college essay and personal statement.

College & Career Office Hours

Each team member will hold office hours for students or families to drop in and ask questions. You should try to attend your own College & Career Counselor/Advisor’s office hours but if it doesn’t work for your schedule, you are welcome to join a different team member's session!

Information Sessions

We will host information sessions with a college admissions representative or a union. 

Special Events

Throughout the year we may host and/or promote college & career readiness events that we think students and families should attend. 

Somerville High School College Fair (October 19, 2023)

Individual Meetings with counselors

Every student can expect to meet with their school counselor individually every year to discuss college and career plans, in addition to academic and personal/social topics.

In their junior year, students will be assigned to a College & Career Counselor/Advisor who will work with them on their future planning process.

Class of 2023 students can find their College & Career Counselor/Advisor name and contact information below.

Ms. Dietz: College & Career Advisor for Beacon Community

Mx. Short: College & Career Advisor for Highland Community

Ms. Schutte: College & Career Counselor for Broadway & Elm Community

Appointments with College & Career Counselors/Advisors can be schedule through Calendly https://calendly.com/shscollegecareer

Grade Level

Topics discussed in individual meetings with school counselor:

9th grade

  • Student’s transition to high school
  • Set academic, personal/social, and college/career goals for high school
  • Develop a four-year plan for course selection

10th grade

  • Review academics and school involvement
  • Introduce postsecondary options
  • Career exploration
  • Develop a four-year plan for course selection

11th grade

  • Review academic performance and its role in postsecondary options
  • Review school involvement
  • Discuss student’s postsecondary plan and action steps for student
  • Discuss college planning tools (Naviance, College Board), PSAT/SAT/ACT, letters of recommendation, financial aid
  • Discuss steps for students who want to enter directly into a career or the military after high school

12th grade

  • Review student’s postsecondary plan
  • Individualized postsecondary planning with student. This may include scholarship applications, college essay review, college list planning, recommendations, job applications, steps for enlisting in military, and other topics as necessary