School Counseling

Program of Studies

• Did you know that you can meet with your teacher for extra help? All teachers hold after-school hours and can provide you with their after-school availability upon request. 
• If you still need support after meeting regularly with your teacher, please talk to your counselor about finding a peer tutor.

External academic support:

• Khan Academy is a free program that offers a wealth of online tutoring, including SAT/ACT prep.

• Tutor.com, now part of the Princeton Review, is an interactive site where students can obtain live homework help from a professional tutor. There is a fee associated with the use of this program.

• College Student Tutors at Mount Holyoke College (MHC).  Students can post a job on the MHC student employment website, requesting a tutor. You (i.e., the employer) list all of the specifics of your off-campus, non-work study job (including what you are willing to pay), and then interested MHC students contact you directly. There is a fee associated with the use of this program.

• Test Taking Tips
• Study Guide and Strategies

Dual enrollment programs allow 11th and 12th grade students to take a college course while still enrolled in high school.  Dual-enrollment classes can fulfill high school graduation requirements and earn college credits. They are also a great way for students to explore their interests and gain experience with college-level academics.  In many cases, the cost of tuition is covered for dual-enrollment students. Students are responsible for any expenses associated with dual enrollment classes, which may include books, fees, or, in some cases, tuition. The dual enrollment application process and requirements vary from college to college. Listed below are some of the partner schools that offer dual enrollment options for South Hadley students. Be in contact with your counselor if you are interested in pursuing a dual enrollment opportunity and would like to know more about the process.

Partner Programs

American International College: Contact your counselor for course and agreement information. 

Elms College - Students should review the Elms College course schedule and contact their counselor for necessary application materials, like transcripts and recommendation forms, prior to applying.

Holyoke Community College - Students can apply directly with HCC to start the admission and registration process; the deadline to register is June 30th for the fall semester. The class schedule for summer and fall each year will be posted here. Although HCC has a grant for a limited number of free spots (apply early to try to get a free spot), typically students do pay for their HCC course(s).  Students and their families are responsible for all expenses associated with dual-enrollment courses.

Mount Holyoke College: Interested students must meet a minimum GPA of 3.75 to be eligible for dual enrollment at MHC. SHHS students will be considered if there is space available in a course after incoming first-year students register for classes in June.  The dual enrollment application process for MHC requires a letter of recommendation from your counselor, submission of your transcript, and approval from the registrar and course instructor. If you’re interested in being a dual enrollment student at MHC, please review the course catalog to identify some classes of interest and contact your SHHS school counselor.

Post-university: SHHS students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA and a recommendation from a high school administrator, guidance counselor, or faculty member.  Contact your SHHS school counselor to start the application process.  

Springfield Technical Community College - In order to be eligible to apply to the program, students must be a junior or senior in high school, meet the minimum high school GPA of 2.0, and have a cumulative STCC GPA of 2.0 for any previous College Now courses. Students need to submit the online application along with the Counselor Supplemental Form. Students can only take fall and spring courses and are responsible for the cost of books and other course material. Students will submit paperwork signed by the school counselor via emailed PDF or fax.

GED/HiSET Prep Classes

Holyoke Community College (Kittredge Center, Room 204)
303 Homestead Avenue
Holyoke, MA 01040            Phone: (413) 552-2112/2292

PAFEC (HiSET)
206 Maple Street, 4th floor
Holyoke, MA 01040            Phone: (413) 552-2292

Westover JobCorps Center
103 Johnson Road
Chicopee, MA 01022            Phone: (413) 593-4000
        
Educational Opportunity Center  (Valley Opportunity Council)
35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 3rd floor
Chicopee, MA 01013            Phone: (413) 612-0206

Springfield Technical Community College (Springfield Adult Learning Center)
1 Armory Square (Bldg 27, Ste 149 1st Fl)
Springfield, MA 01102        Phone: (413) 755-4300

Literacy Works for Hampden County
1441 Main Street
Springfield, Ma 01103        Phone: (413) 755-1367

New England Farm Workers Council
1626-1640 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103        Phone: (413) 272-2295

Partners for Community Young Parents Program
11-13 Hampden Street
Springfield, MA 01103        Phone: (413) 272-2200

Branford Hall Career Institute
112 Industry Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104        Phone: (413) 781-2276

Springfield Family Support Program  (Boland School)    
426 Armory Street
Springfield, MA 01104        Phone: (413) 733-7699

Puerto Rican Cultural Center
39 School Street
Springfield, MA 01105        Phone: (413) 737-7450

Young Parents Program
2345 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01105        Phone: (413) 734-2144

Springfield O.W.L. Adult Education Center
310 State Street
Springfield, MA 01105        Phone: (413) 787-7210

Chestnut Accelerated Middle School
335 Plainfield Street
Springfield, MA 01107        Phone: (413) 750-2339

Massachusetts Career Development Institute
140 Wilbraham Avenue
Springfield, MA             Phone: (413) 781-5640 ext, 302

Springfield City Library
204 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109        Phone: (413) 263-6839

YWCA YouthBuild Western Massachusetts
1 Clough Street
Springfield, MA 01118        Phone: (413) 733-9172

Corporation for Public Management (Young Parents Program)
1628-1640 Main Street, 3rd floor
Springfield, MA 01103        Phone: (413) 272-2388

SHHS Career and Technical Programs: The Career and Technical Education component of the South Hadley Public Schools provides secondary students in South Hadley with an educational complement. Students who select Career and Technical Education will graduate with solid academic preparation along with the advanced technical skills necessary for acceptance to a post-secondary institution.

Carpentry: The carpentry program is based on proven local methods, “green” technology, OSHA regulations, and the Massachusetts State Building Code.  Student instruction begins with basic competencies such as shop safety, basic layout, hand tool identification, proper usage, care, and maintenance.  Students will progress from introductory knowledge of shop safety and basic woodworking with small projects such as common wood joints to working with portable and stationary power tools to residential home construction—concrete from work to finish.

Culinary: The Culinary Program is designed to provide students with training for a successful career in the food service industry.  As one of the fastest-growing service areas, students are trained for entry-level employment.

Vocational and Technical Off-Site Programs: Students who wish to apply to technical and vocational applications held outside of South Hadley High School will need to turn in applications to their school counselor. The deadline for these applications is March 1st.

Click on the following links for application forms and information about planning a vocational career path:

South Hadley High School Vocational Program Application

Next Steps: SHHS Vocational & Career Planning Packet

Additional Career Planning Resources

Get That Gig
Occupational Outlook Handbook  
Bureau of Labor Statistics  
Massachusetts Career Information Systems    

Job Search Engines  

Indeed.com
Snagajob.com
Simplyhired.com
Monster.com
Healthcare Workforce Partnership of Western MA    

Career Centers  

Franklin-Hampshire Career Center 
CareerPoint Career Center located in Holyoke, MA   
O*Net Occupational Resource Center
Franklin / Hampshire Youth Employment  

Work Permits  

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-get-a-work-permit
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/youth-employment-permit-information  

The computer program, NAVIANCE Family Connection, enables our counseling department to offer a comprehensive website that students can use to help make decisions about colleges and careers. Juniors and seniors can research colleges and compare their GPA, SAT scores, and other statistics to college admissions requirements. All students can build a resume, take a career interest inventory, view the schedule of college rep visits, and much more.

We are pleased to make this resource available to all of our students and families as a complement to the series of individual appointments, college-related speakers, parent information presentations, and guidance seminars that we offer throughout the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years.

All students receive a first-time registration code in the fall of their freshman year.  Once they successfully register for the first time, the user name is an email address, and the password is one that the students choose themselves.

Some Naviance Features:

Career Planner

This Career Interest Profiler includes useful reports that show each student’s personality and interest assessment results and those careers you might want to explore.

College Lookup

This research tool provides comprehensive information on thousands of colleges. In addition to general and admissions information, further data is presented on academics, cost and financial aid, student body characteristics, extracurriculars, and athletic programs. A link to each college’s website is provided.

College Search

Enter criteria such as size, location, cost, and availability of specific majors or athletic programs, and students can produce a list of colleges that meet their criteria.

College Visit Schedule

College representatives who have scheduled information sessions at SHHS are posted on Naviance. Click on Visit Schedule or view the page for a particular college to see whether a session is scheduled.

The postsecondary planning process is an 18-month journey beginning in January of the junior year and continuing through the spring of the senior year. School guidance counselors work with students and families throughout this process to support each student's individualized plans.  Through individual meetings, presentations, classroom visits, and resources available on this website and in print, the SHHS guidance department provides comprehensive support. Although we emphasize that this is a student-centered process, we recognize that families play an integral role. Overview timelines of the postsecondary planning process, standardized testing process, application process, and SHHS School Profile are attached at the bottom of this page.

Transcripts: Separate from the college admissions application process facilitated through Naviance, individual copies of transcripts cannot be released to colleges or coaches without written consent from the student. Further, parents cannot request that an official copy of their student's transcript be sent to them via email. They may, however, pick one up at the school or request it be mailed to their home address.

Applications

• Common Application The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of more than 800 member colleges and universities in 49 states. Some Massachusetts state schools use the Common Application.

The following Massachusetts state schools do not use the Common App:. You can access these applications via the links below.

• Westfield State University
• Fitchburg State University
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Additional college application resources:

• SUNY Application
• University of California Application
• Self-Reporting SAT / ACT Colleges  

College Search

• Colleges That Change Lives
• College Week Live
• FairTest.org
• eCampus Tours
• College Board College Search
• A2Z Colleges
• NCAA Eligibility Center

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) to pay for college or career school.

FAFSA Day

• FAFSA Day Massachusetts, a College Goal Sunday Program, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

CSS Profile 

• The CSS Profile is only used by certain schools, listed on the CSS Profile site, as part of their financial aid process for aid like grants and scholarships.

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)

• MEFA offers education programs, tax-advantaged savings plans, low-cost loans, and expert guidance in financing for students in Massachusetts.

FinAid

• A comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice, and tools—on or off the web.

Tuition Break for New England Residents

• NEBHE's Tuition Break program, the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), enables thousands of New England residents to enroll at out-of-state New England public colleges and universities at a discount. Students are eligible for the RSP Tuition Break when they enroll in an approved major or program.

Valley Opportunity Council

• EOC offers educational access services to low-income individuals and potential college students. 

Smith Educational Fund Scholarship Application 24-25

Smith Fund Scholarship Renewal Application

Local Scholarship Resources

South Hadley High School Scholarship List 2021-22

Other Scholarship Search Resources

Fastweb.com is a leading online resource for finding scholarships for students to help pay for school.

Scholarships.com Allows students to complete a free profile and then get matched to scholarships and grants they are qualified for from colleges, universities, organizations, and foundations.

Cappex.com A national scholarship database where students can create a free account and receive personalized scholarship matches.

The following online resources provide information regarding military service branches as well as other service opportunities:

• U.S. Air Force: www.airforce.com or http://www.af.mil/
• U.S. Air Force Reserve: www.afreserve.com
• Air National Guard: www.goang.com
• Air Force ROTC: www.afrotc.com

• U.S. Army: www.goarmy.com or www.army.mil
• U.S. Army Reserve: www.armyreserve.com
• Army National Guard: www.nationalguard.com
• Army ROTC: www.armyrotc.com

• U.S. Navy: www.navy.com or www.navy.mil
• U.S. Navy Reserve: www.navyreserve.com
• Navy ROTC: www.nrotc.navy.mil

• U.S. Marines: www.marines.com

• U.S. Coast Guard: www.gocoastguard.com