College and Career Readiness (CCR) at Somerville High School
Somerville High School College Fair
Date: October 10, 2024
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: SHS Cafeteria
Scheduled Attendees: Assumption University, Babson University, Bennington College, Bentley University, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Bryant University, Bunker Hill Community College, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Connecticut College, Curry College, Dean College, Emmanuel College, Endicott College, Fisher College, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Franklin Pierce University, Hofstra University, Hult International Business School, Johnson & Wales University-Providence, Keene State College, Lasell University, Lesley University, Long Island University - Post, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, Miami University-Oxford, Mount Holyoke College, National Aviation Academy of New England, Nichols College, North Shore Community College, Plymouth State University, Regis College, Rivier University, Roger Williams University, Salem State University, Simmons University, Southern New Hampshire University, St. John's University-New York, Stonehill College, Suffolk University, The School of Fashion Design, Tufts University, University of Maine, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, University of New England, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, University of New Haven, University of Vermont, Ursinus College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Western New England University, Westfield State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University (updated October 10, 2024)
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 2024-2025
- August 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22: College Essay Workshop Sign up Form
- August 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22: Common App Workshop Sign up Form
- September 17, 2024 (2pm): Early Application Meeting
- September 26, 2024 (7pm-8pm): Post HS Planning Night
- October 1, 2024 (7pm-8pm; Teams virtual meeting): Financial Aid Night
- December 12, 2024 (tentative): FAFSA and CSS Completion Event
- February 10-14, 2025: MA State College On the Spot Admissions Days
- April 14-18, 2025: Alternative Pathways Lunch Visits
- May 9, 2025 (12pm): First Generation Breakfast
- May 29, 2025 (7pm): Community Scholarship Awards Ceremony
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: 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 10, 2024)
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 2025 students can find their College & Career Counselor/Advisor name and contact information below.
Elijah Baldwin: College & Career Advisor for Beacon Community
Lucy Jensen: College & Career Advisor for Highland Community
Maddie Short (until Ms. Schutte returns late October 2024): 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