SPHS Guidance Department
Post-Secondary Planning

Linda Sturm: Director of Guidance, sturml@spsd.org
Tom Bradford: Guidance Counselor, bradfoth@spsd.org
Donna Gordon: Guidance Counselor, gordondo@spsd.org
Kathleen Tremblay: Guidance Counselor, tremblka@spsd.org

Jean Fox: Guidance Secretary, foxje@spsd.org
Julie King: Career Assistant, kingju@spsd.org

Phone: (207) 767-7706 
Fax: (207) 767-4275

HOME - POST SECONDARY - FINANCIAL AID - CAREER PLANNING- SCHOLARSHIPS

SOUTH PORTLAND, a coastal city of 23,000, has an economic base heavily dependent on wholesale, retail and corporate sectors.  The city is largely suburban with much of its workforce employed in the Greater Portland Area.

SOUTH PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL is a four-year high school accredited by the State of Maine and the New England Association of Secondary Schools.  Quality programming is offered in Honors, college preparatory, and college/vocational courses. Beginning with the Class of 1999, twenty Carnegie units are required for graduation (eighteen units ¾ prior to the Class of 1999).  Beginning with the Class of 2004, twenty-four Carnegie units are required for graduation.  Enrollment in grades 9 - 12 is currently 1000 students.

 
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of the following
Carnegie Units:
  4 English 
  3 Math 
  3 Science
  3 Social Studies		 1 Fine Arts
1 Phys. Ed.
½ Health
Evidence of computer literacy
½ Real Life (beginning with Class of 2007)
All course levels are weighted for determining class rank only.		 LEVEL DESCRIPTION
8 ¾ Advanced Placement
4 ¾ Honors
3 ¾ College Preparatory
2 ¾ College/Vocational
1 ¾ Basic
0 ¾ Non-leveled

   AP COURSES*

English literature Chemistry Calculus Music Theory
English Language Statistics U.S. History Art
Biology Physics World History
             *Students taking Advanced Placement courses are required to take the AP Exam.

   GRADING

To 1989
A  93 - 100
B  88 -   92 
C  80 -   87
D  75 -   79
F  below 75		  1989-present
A  93 – 100
B  85 -   92 
C  77 -   84 
D  70 -   76 
F   below 70
P   Pass
F   Fail
W   Withdrawn
FA  Attendance Failure
AU Audit		 CLASS OF 2006
Number in Class                                        211
Enrolled in 4-yr. College/Univ.                59%
Enrolled in less than 4-year                     25%

   SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TESTS
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Class of 2006  *
504
501
504
          *-As of March 2006, the State of Maine requires all juniors to take the SAT I.

College Planning Timeline for Seniors:
*The following is a check-list to help you organize the college/financial-aid process.

September

  • Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to review college choices and to work with the counselor on the recommendations required by the colleges.
  • Collect application forms for admission to the colleges you have selected. Collect financial aid forms as well. Fill out CCS Financial Aid PROFILE (if applicable).
  • Make appointments for interviews and college visits if you have not done so over the summer.
  • Check registration deadlines for SAT/ACT’s. Register for SAT/ACT’s.
  • Check Guidance Office announcements for college visitations being held at South Portland High School, as well as Fall Open Houses being held at various colleges/university’s.
  • Decide if you are applying for Early Action or Early Decision. If so, see Guidance immediately.
  • If you are undecided about your future after graduation, make an appointment with your guidance counselor.


October/November

  • Bring specific guidance counselor recommendation forms to you counselor (if applicable).
  • Register for SAT Tests.
  • Check with Guidance Office for college/military visits and scholarship information.
  • Check college catalogs for applications and financial aid deadlines.
  • Begin work on essays for applications as well as the application itself.


November/December

  • Retake SAT if necessary or desired.
  • Check deadlines for Early Decision/Early Action.
  • Finalize college applications and essays.
  • Check Career Center Scholarship Box and college admission representative visits.
  • Fill out “Request for Transcripts” form and give to guidance secretary at least one week prior to when you want your package mailed.
  • Mail your application and keep a record of dates and materials sent.
  • Attend Financial Aid Night with your parents – scheduled for December 13th at 6:30 pm in the South Portland High School Auditorium.
December/January
  • December 15th – Early Decision or Early Action applicants are notified of admissions decisions.
  • January 1st, 15th, or February 1st are deadlines for MANY college applications – check carefully!
  • Check Guidance Office for college visits and scholarship information.
  • End of Semester – bring in mid-year grade report forms to the guidance secretary so that she can mail them with you mid-year transcripts to your colleges.
January/February
  • Submit financial aid forms as early as possible.
  • Check deadlines for college applications.
  • Check Scholarship Box and listen to announcements for scholarship information.
  • Inform the guidance secretary of your college acceptances.
March/April
  • March – check deadline for any scholarships.
  • April 15th is the date many collges notify students of admissions decisions.


May/June

  • May 1st is the candidate’s reply date for many schools.
  • Continue to check for scholarship information.
  • Inform the guidance secretary of your college acceptances and where you will be attending college.
Application Organizer
College Information:


Military Careers:


Trade Schools:


Testing Tips & Information: