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Pre-college tests offered this fall
Every career today requires some kind of post-secondary education. Whether students choose a two-year or four-year college, a vocational program, military service or another option, Saint Paul Public Schools wants every student to be prepared for life after high school.

The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 15. There is no registration needed for this test. Students just need to show up for school. From Oct. 15 to Nov. 6, all 10th graders will take the PLAN. SPPS is also providing one free ACT and SAT, the major college admissions tests, for each SPPS 11th and 12th grader. The specific dates for these tests are to be scheduled by the schools.
  • The PLAN (10th grade) helps students figure out their interests and careers to investigate; and how to get on track for those plans.
  • The PSAT (11th grade) is a preparation test for the SAT – a college admissions test. The PSAT is good practice for other college entrance tests. The PSAT helps students look at any gaps in their learning before their final year of high school. PSAT also is the National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test.
Students in grades 10 and 11 should get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast. Good rest and nutrition helps with success every school day.

In addition, the district will pay for one ACT college exam test for every student. The ACT is given at various times throughout the year. Contact your high school for times and information.

See the following links for additional testing information:

PLAN:
http://www.act.org/plan/

PSAT:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

ACT
www.actstudent.org

College Planning
www.getreadyforcollege.org

Student Aid
http://studentaid.ed.gov
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Tips for adults to encourage education past high school

As employees, volunteers and parents who interact with children and young adults every day, we have tremendous influence on the dreams and future plans of Saint Paul Public Schools students. All of us can help students reach their potential; here are some tips and thoughts to help you make a difference:
  • Post-secondary education is required for nearly every career; most employers expect job-seekers to have at least a two-year degree. Please encourage all students to make plans for post-high school education or training.
  • It may help to remind young people that those with higher education make more money. According to a 2004 U.S. Census Bureau, workers 18 and older with a high school diploma earned $27,915 a year. Those with a bachelor’s degree earned $51,206 – that’s nearly double!
  • As a positive influence in students’ lives, we must expect that every child will go on to some kind of education after high school. Students who do not think they are “college material” may need more encouragement or help seeking financial aid. We should also help them understand that there are many options beyond the four-year, traditional college.
  • Help students understand the path to the career they want – for example, a student who wants to work in music, TV or radio would need at least a two-year degree to learn about recording, engineering and production.
  • Numerous options exist to help families afford post-secondary education. Once a student has a plan to attend a post-secondary school, the high school guidance office, and the post-secondary school can help identify financial aid programs.
SPPS employees can support students’ goals

As employees, volunteers and parents who interact with children and young adults every day, we have tremendous influence on the dreams and future plans of Saint Paul Public Schools students. All of us can help students reach their potential; here are some tips and thoughts to help you make a difference:

  • Every career today requires some kind of post-secondary education. Most  employers expect employees to have at least a two-year degree.
  • As a positive influence in students’ lives, we must expect that every child will go on to some kind of education after high school. Students who do not think they are “college material” may need more encouragement or help seeking financial aid. We should also help them understand that there are many options beyond the four-year, traditional college.
    • Other options are two-year colleges, vocational and technical schools, the military and working and going to school part-time.
  • Help students understand the path to the career they want – for example, a student who wants to work in music, TV or radio would need at least a two-year degree to learn about recording, engineering and production.
  • Numerous options exist to help families afford post-secondary education. Once a student has a plan to attend a post-secondary school, the high school guidance office, and the post-secondary school can help identify financial aid programs.
  • The more education a student has, the more money he or she can expect to make throughout his or her life According to a 2004 U.S. Census Bureau, workers with a high school diploma earned $27,915 a year. Those with a bachelor’s degree earned $51,206 – that’s nearly double! Another census report showed that students with a college education will make an additional $1 million over their lifetime compared to someone with only a high school diploma.