OFA Guidance & Counseling

Advanced Placement & College Credit Courses

As high school students progress, they may feel ready for the rigors of college academics. Courses offering college-level work can help them make this transition smoothly. Advanced Placement and College Credit classes provide a safe space for students to test their skills and discipline against college expectations. Plus, students can earn college credits that will count toward their future degree.

Learn more about Advanced Placement & College Credit Courses.

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Career and Technical Educational Opportunities through BOCES

Students may attend the Northwest Technology Center during their last two high school years. Four units of credit are awarded each year for certified programs, three credits for non-certified programs.

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Eligibility to Attend BOCES

To attend BOCES, a student must have a minimum of 13 units of credit, be in Grade 11, and have a good attendance record. BOCES students who are absent 7 days or more before December 1 will have their attendance records reviewed to determine if they will be allowed to continue in the program.

Students must attend programming at OFA on any day that they attend BOCES. Students are not to sign out at BOCES without permission from a principal at OFA. A BOCES issued “Change of Program” form must be completed by a student wishing to make up BOCES time or to attend a special event. This form must be submitted to the 9-12 office before 8:00 am on the effective date.

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Transportation to and from BOCES

Transportation will be provided to and from BOCES. All students are expected to use district provided transportation unless
special circumstances warrant other means of transportation. In these cases, authorization will be given by an OFA principal and the BOCES principal, but only with parent consent. Students are not allowed to transport other students.

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Applying to College

If you’re a high school student thinking about college, you might want to consider taking a standardized test like the SAT or ACT. Most colleges and universities accept either one as a part of their application process. These tests are designed to measure your readiness for college-level coursework, and they provide admissions professionals with a way to compare students from different schools and backgrounds.

However, you should know that more than 2,100 colleges are test-optional, meaning they don’t require you to submit standardized test scores at all. It’s a good idea to research the specific requirements of the schools you’re interested in to see what they prefer.

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College Entrance Testing

ACT

The ACT is a college entrance exam that’s accepted by universities across the country. It includes four main sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. There’s also an optional Writing Test that requires you to write a short essay. While most colleges don’t require the writing portion, it’s a good idea to check the specific requirements of the schools you’re applying to.

Test Dates: The ACT is offered on Saturday mornings in September, October, December, February, April, and June.

Registration: You must register online on the ACT website approximately five weeks before your chosen test date.

Learn about and register for the ACT exam.

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PSAT

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is taken in October of the Junior year. The PSAT offers students the opportunity to participate in a standardized testing situation that is less stressful for the student; PSAT scores are not reported to colleges and universities. PSAT scores are used as qualifiers for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test includes sections in Reading, Writing & Language, and Math.

Learn more about and register for the PSAT exam.

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SAT

The SAT is a college entrance exam that measures a student’s readiness for college. It has two main sections:

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• Math

Each section is scored on a scale from 200 to 800, so the highest possible total score is 1600.

Test Dates: The SAT is administered on Saturday mornings in October, November, May, and June.

Registration: The deadline to register is about five weeks before the test date.

Learn more about and register for the SAT exam.

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Financial Aid

FAFSA

One of the first steps toward getting federal aid for college or career school is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded to students based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievement, athletic ability, community service, or a specific field of study. They can be a great way to help reduce the cost of higher education and make college more affordable.

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