Information by Grade Level

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Class of 2027 Class Code: mzkwuuo

Class of 2026 Class Code: poivjoe

Class of 2025 Class Code: 4anpj7v

Class of 2024 Class Code: m3pa3wa

Freshman Year:

Academic counselors meet with all freshmen to create a 4-year plan with students.This process helps students to develop goals for after high school and plan high school classes. Counselors will meet with students yearly to update their four year plans.

Tips for freshmen:

Attend class regularly and arrive on time.
Pass your classes! You will be required to take summer school if you fail a class.
Complete assignments in advance - don't procrastinate.
Study for tests.
Contact your teachers if you have questions.
Join a club or a sport - stay involved!
Check your grades in Synergy regularly.
Use your resources. Academic counselors, student assistance counselor, school nurse, librarian, teachers, and even administration are all here to help and support you!

Sophomore Year:

Academic counselors will meet with 10th graders to update their 4-year plans and check back in with students regarding their post-secondary goals.

Optional tests for college and career readiness available sophomore year:

PSAT Information: Arcata High hosts the PSAT in the fall, and is available to juniors. Most students take the PSAT during their junior year, but some students take the PSAT when they are sophomores to get the feel of the test. However, only the scores from the PSAT taken in your junior year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition.

The ASVAB Career Interest Inventory Test: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-choice test administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. The “Student” ASVAB is also a career assessment tool that can help students identify which career areas best suit them. Because this is an aptitude test, it doesn’t just tell students what they are currently good at; it will also tell them what they may be good at learning.

Graduation Requirements:

Tips for sophomores:

Start getting serious about extracurriculars—pick the 2 or 3 you like the most, preferably ones where you could see yourself moving toward leadership positions, and invest some real effort in them.
What you do over the summer matters. Prepare to take advantage of an academic, volunteer or professional opportunity. Ideally, this should be a project or program that you can return to next summer.
Begin standardized test preparation for the PSAT. Not only is it invaluable SAT prep, but also it’s the key to becoming a finalist for the prestigious National Merit Scholarships, which not only provide money for college, but also guarantee the attention of admissions officers. Consider prepping for the SAT.
Find a way to get involved with some form of community service. Community service isn’t just something to pad a resume. It can be a fulfilling activity that takes you out of the environment of high school, and allows you to focus on helping other people. It’s not just good for job and college applications, it’s good for your mental health.

Junior Year:

Counselors will meet with 11th graders to update their 4-year plans and connect with them about their academic and career goals for after graduation. In the fall, academic counselors and the career and college counselor will host Junior Parent Night to provide families with information about community colleges, vocational opportunities, and 4-year universities.

Tips for juniors:

Maintaining your grades during your junior year is important!
Now is the time to really focus on your career and college research. Meet with your academic counselor and the Career and College Center counselor to investigate community college, vocational opportunities, and/or 4-year colleges.
Visit community college and 4-year university campuses if possible.
If you haven't already, create a resume of all the activities you have participated in in high school. Include things like clubs, sports, community service, and any jobs you've had. This list will come in handy next year when you are applying for college and scholarships.

Senior Year:

Academic counselors will present college and financial aid information to 12th graders in their classes in September and will meet with each senior individually to discuss their post-secondary plans. In the fall, academic counselors and the career and college counselor will host a financial aid night to discuss how to apply for financial aid and scholarships.

Tips for seniors:

You are almost there - the finish line is in sight! Stay focused and keep your grades up.
Keep an organized calendar of important dates and deadlines, especially when it comes to college applications.
Start filling out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in the fall.
Attend college informational sessions and local college nights.