CCR Update

The CCR Update is a weekly newsletter from the St. Charles North Office of College and Career Readiness. Our weekly update contains information to help navigate students through high school and into post-secondary options. A variety of links will be provided to assist students and families in making choices along this journey. For additional information students should reach out to their individual counselor.

The D303 Spring State Assessment date is scheduled for 4/15/26!

Students in Grade 11 will participate in the ACT + Science + Writing, which includes tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing.

Students in Grade 9 will participate in the PreACT 9 Secure and those in Grade 10 will participate in the PreACT Secure, each of which includes tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.

School staff will administer these assessments online. Accommodations and EL supports are available. Scores from the administration of the ACT (if taken with ACT Standard Time or ACT-approved accommodations) can be used by students for a variety of purposes, including college admission, scholarships, and NCAA eligibility. More details will be shared as we get closer to the test date. Please note: 4/15/26 is a non-attendance day for Seniors.

• Freshman PreACT 9th Grade
• Sophomore PreACT 10th Grade
• Junior ACT 11th Grade

• To view your ACT score report once scores are released, you will need a MyACT account. Students may either use an alternate form or create a MyACT account to send their scores to up to four colleges at no cost. Please note that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has suppressed all MyACT questions related to topics such as religious affiliation and household income. As a result, some screens may appear slightly different from those shown in available resources.
• Students will review the Taking the ACT flyer and the MyACT Non-Test Information: Instructions for Students in their English 11 classes. Each student has a unique code to allow them to access their scores and to send their scores for free. Please note: Students wishing to use the alternate form for free score sends will need their unique code from the Non-Test Information flyer to do so.
• Remember, all of the non-test information questions are optional. Students can click all the way through this information and still create their account. Students can come back later to complete questions, if they choose. Students have up to two days after the test date to access their free score sends.
• How to video: MyACT Account Setup-State and District
• Note: Always use a personal email to create an account.

Looking for a Job? Your future starts here!

D303 is proud to partner with the Alignment Collaborative for Education and the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System to bring you a Regional Job Fair designed just for high school juniors and seniors seeking full-time or part-time employment!

Don’t miss this chance to connect with employers and explore your career options!

Buses will leave each high school’s main entrance approximately 30 minutes before and will return approximately 30 minutes after the event ends. Additional information will be shared with registered students on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Nearly 100 Employers on-site!

Career fields represented include: Automotive, Business & Finance, Culinary, Education, Engineering, Healthcare, Manufacturing & Welding.

Details

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Location: Elgin Community College

Time: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

What to bring:

• Copies of an updated Resume
• Dress in Business Casual Attire

Registration deadline is Friday, March, 20 2026!

Register Here

In-Person courses

• Sessions will be held at Compass Academy
• Session I: June 8- June 25
• Session II: July 6 - July 23
• Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
• *No class the week of July 4th*
• Registration for Session I and Session II is due by May 29, 2026
• $250 per course

Online Courses/Internship

• Session: June 8- July 23
• Registration for Online Courses is due by May 15, 2026
• $250 per course

Registration & Questions

• Students should see their counselor to register.
• See the Summer School Brochure for more information and registration forms.
• Escuela de Verano para la Preparatoria
• Have any questions? Contact Alé Chavira, Administrative Assistant for Summer School, at 331-228-6638

Interested in taking Drivers Ed through D303 over the summer?! Please click on the brochure below for more information!

June 1-July 14

St. Charles North HS

Registration Brochure

Enrollment in the Summer School Driver Education Program is limited; to reserve a space for you, please return the registration form to Kristy Harrier by April 30, 2026.

For more information, contact:

Steve Smerz - East High School

(331) 228-5722 or Steve.Smerz@d303.org

or

Kristy Harrier - North High School

(331) 228-6268 or Kristy.Harrier@d303.org

Seniors! Please submit your post-secondary plans and any awards and/or scholarship you have received on the form HERE! Questions? Stop by the CCR Office!

All Senior students attended an important information session regarding end of the year expectations and graduation information during their 2nd period class on Wednesday, February 4th in the auditorium. Please click the following links to review the information covered in English and/or Spanish.

In order to help graduation practice run more smoothly, please complete this form to assist our card readers in how you would like your name read and pronounced at graduation practice. Please note: this form must be filled out by students using their D303 email. Please complete this form no later than Monday, May 11th. If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Tiffany Kufer in the CCR Office or at tiffany.kufer@d303.org.

P. A. 101-180 requires all Illinois public high school students to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Additionally, high schools are expected to provide students and their families with any support or guidance necessary to comply with the requirement. For students who choose not to file an application, a waiver may be completed by their parent. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) makes available through their website a FAFSA Nonparticipation Form (English and Spanish) for this purpose. Check out our FAFSA Update for more information.

• 2026-2027 FAFSA Application is scheduled to open October 1st 2025
• Fox Valley College Fair on March 24th 2026 at St. Charles North HS from 5:30-8 p.m.

More details will be shared as we get closer to each event date.

This contest invites all St. Charles high school students to showcase their creativity by designing a 100% recyclable aluminum water bottle label. The winning design will be featured on over 1,600 water bottles, which will be distributed at 2026 Fine Art Show.

The contest opens February 9th and the submission deadline is Monday, March 23rd. The winner will be chosen March 27th. Click here for more details.

Elgin Community College is offering a series of College & Career events for the fall and spring semesters. Session topics include The Start of College Decisions, Financial Aid 101, Early College Credit options, Professional Etiquette, Discovering Careers, Career Clusters & Opportunities, Successful Interviewing and more. All events are free and open to the public. Events will be held virtually over Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 P.M. unless otherwise noted. For more information and meeting links, please visit https://elgin.edu/community/college-transitions/ccr/

Upcoming Events: Student Panel: Maximizing Opportunities Through Diverse Enrollment Pathways

Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm
Location: Virtual

Registration Required

This interactive student panel highlights the many ways students can successfully navigate higher education through diverse enrollment pathways. Panelists will share their real-life experiences transitioning through options such as dual credit, community college, transfer pathways, workforce programs, and non-traditional routes. Participants will gain insight into how flexible pathways can align with personal goals, life circumstances, and career plans—and learn practical tips for maximizing opportunities along the way. Guest Facilitator: Lewis Rule, Asst. Dean - College and Career Readiness

Have you ever thought about a career as an electric lineman, firefighter, police officer, lab technician, or in tree maintenance, or IT/Networking? These are all individuals, and many more, who are employed by the City of St. Charles.

The City of St. Charles is offering a career pathway job shadow program to St. Charles high school students interested in exploring a career in municipal government. You may schedule up to three different job shadow experiences per school year, during which you can explore work sites, ask questions, see demonstrations, and learn about education and certifications. Students will be responsible for transportation to and from the City. The date, time, and length of the job shadow will be scheduled outside of school hours directly with the City’s job shadow program coordinator. Please return your completed registration form to Ms. Gomez in the College & Career Office.

Boys and Girls State is a simulation patterned after the State of Illinois; it follows Illinois governmental procedure as closely as possible. It is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship which attempts to teach and instill in our youth a love of America and a sense of individual obligation to community, state, and nation. It is a powerful, intense learning experience.

Hundreds of boys and girls from various communities throughout the State of Illinois will attend in June. They will learn the way a two-party system works. We have two fictitious political parties, the Nationalists and the Federalists. They will caucus, have Primary and General elections, and participate in a party Convention. They will elect city, county, and state officials. They will learn the duties of various public offices, their functions, limitations, and powers. They will have their own legislature where they introduce, debate, and pass their own bills. They regulate their own cities, enforce their laws, and prepare county projects.

Each boy and girl has a chance to learn for themselves that the government is just what he or she makes of it. They learn the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities that will help them participate as American citizens.

• FREE to interested Juniors
• Boys State: June 13-19, Girls State: June 21-27
• Located at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL
  
• Participating students compete for nearly $20,000 in scholarships
• Email mtfoulkes@yahoo.com for more information or to register
• Application Deadlines: May 1st

College Visit Sign-up in SchooLinks

1. Log in to your SchooLinks account (https://app.schoolinks.com/).
   

2. On the Student Dashboard, click on the School Events section to see all upcoming college visits.
   

3. Click on the name of the visit you want to attend, and then click on the Register for this Event button.
   

Before attending the visit, make sure you pick up a College Visit Pass from our College & Career Readiness Office. You will need to fill out the form and have your teacher sign it before attending the visit. You will also be responsible for making up any missed work when attending a college visit.

If you have a conflict with a college visit, please email Ms. Tiffany Kufer at tiffany.kufer@d303.org for the college rep's contact information.

For Scheduled Virtual Visits: Click the link to enter the live virtual conference with a college rep. For the full listing go to the College Visit page on our CCR Website.

Upcoming Visits:

3/24/2026 Illinois College

3/25/2026 Ball State University

3/25/2026 National Louis University

4/6/2026 ETI School of Skilled Trades

4/8/2026 SUNY at Binghamton

4/8/2026 McKendree University

4/16/2026 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

4/20/2026 Judson University

Information for local scholarships and select national scholarships is available in SchooLinks, the College and Career Office, and through the scholarship listing on the CCR website. This list will continue to be updated throughout the school year, so please check regularly!

The SCN PTO will provide two $1,000 scholarships to SCN graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in service to their school and community and whose parents have been active in the PTO at some point during their K-12th grade years. A family membership in the PTO for the current year is required for all applicants.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from SCN who will continue their education at a university, junior college or vocational school. Students are required to write a 300 word essay. GPA and financial need are not determining factors in the selection process. Applications are available in the College & Career Office and online here.

The application deadline is Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Contact Julie Govreau (scnhs.pto@gmail.com) with any questions.

Amy Backer was a remarkable individual whose dedication and unwavering support left an indelible mark on the St. Charles North community. Amy's commitment to fostering growth and empowerment among the students of our school was truly unparalleled. Whether it was through her involvement in the arts, athletics, or academics, Amy consistently championed the holistic development of every student at the school.

This scholarship aims to give every student an opportunity to share their experiences, passions, and hobbies, or anything that has had an impact on them in their time here at SCN and beyond! Students interested in applying must be currently enrolled Senior students in good academic standing and on track to graduate. Applicants should have a post-high school plan in place (College, Junior College/Community College, Trade school, Technical/Vocational Training, Armed Forces, etc.). Applications are due Friday, March 27, 2026. Please click HERE for the application form.

The Empowerment Scholarship is awarded to one or more rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled at a St. Charles D303 high school to help fund an educational, entrepreneurial, vocational, or other life empowering experience that the student might not otherwise have the opportunity to complete. Examples may include STEM summer camp, specific workshops, master classes, advanced music lessons, start-up for a small business or volunteer organization, funding for a social project, art supplies, etc. The more creative the better! We will consider any other personally meaningful or empowering opportunities you may envision. We see you and believe in you. Show the world what you can do!

The Empowerment Scholarship is funded by St. Charles Distinguished Alumni recipients and powered by STC L.E.A.R.N.

Click the link below for more information and to apply:

STC LEARN Empowerment Scholarship

All applications due March 27th!!!

This scholarship was established in memory of Tyler Brett Caruso, a student of St. Charles East High School who died unexpectedly in 2002. Tyler was a student leader, athlete, musician, and community activist. The criteria for the $1,000 scholarship is evidence of exemplary achievements in many of the following areas: academics, athletics, student leadership and school service, music, along with community leadership and service. Students must complete an application and provide a copy of their high school transcript with two letters of recommendation and a completed essay. Please visit the website for more information. Applications are due by April 15, 2026.

Pottawatomie Garden Club of St. Charles will award a $4,000 scholarship to a full-time student majoring in Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Concerns, Forestry, Horticulture, Land Management, and/or related studies. An applicant must be a graduating senior or a current college student who resides within St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 boundaries. A copy of the application should also be given to Ms. Tiffany Kufer in the CCR Office at SCN. Applications due April 15, 2026.

College & Career Readiness Team

255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, IL, 60175

331-228-6290