The Pennsbury School District Counseling Department will provide a culturally sustaining environment that will foster opportunities for all students as they develop the competencies needed for social, emotional, academic and personal success resulting in career and college readiness for each student within a global society.

Vision Statement:

The Pennsbury School Counseling Department is committed to partnering with ALL stakeholders in order to provide evidence-based support to empower student growth, meet the student’s developmental needs, and foster lifelong learning; students will be able to interact as responsible and productive citizens who respect themselves and others.

Belief Statement:

• We believe ALL students can maximize their unique potential and achieve academic, career, and social/emotional success when given appropriate support and interventions

• We believe our role is to provide a data driven, developmental counseling program to meet the needs of ALL students through a counseling curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and system support.

• We believe that ALL students should be treated with respect and dignity

• We will be advocates and nurture ALL students' social and emotional well-being.

• We believe in building relationships with ALL Pennsbury stakeholders as partners in the education of ALL students.
  

Please use the link below to book your appointment with your counselor.

Be sure to bring your chrome book to your meeting.

A- Gr- Mrs. Sandy Spencer- Make an appointment

Gs- Peq- Ms. Shannon Barnum- Make an appointment

Pes- Z- Mrs. Megan Lawless- Make an appointment

PHS will host college admissions offices from various colleges and universities during the months of September and October. These visits are listed in Naviance.

To register for the visits go to Naviance>Colleges>College Visits and select "Register Now" next to the visits you would like to attend. You MUST register ahead of time to attend the visits. These visits are an opportunity to learn more about a college and connect with an admissions counselor who can help answer any questions you may have.

Register for the ACT- www.actstudent.org

Interested in after school prep? https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/details/35327

What is Instant Decision Day (IDD)?

Pennsbury High School is thrilled to offer 3 Instant Decision Days again this year. Instant Decision Day (IDD) is a special event where prospective students can apply and receive an admission decision on the same day. These events are designed to simplify and speed up the admission process for qualified students.

Here’s how Instant Decision Day works:

1. Look at the list of participating schools. Decide which school (or schools) you meet the criteria for and are interested in applying to.

Register Here by 10/18: Instant Decision Interest Form

2. Complete the applications according to the IDD instructions for each school, paying particular attention to all deadlines. If you would like to submit a teacher recommendation with your IDD application, be sure to ask your teacher to upload your letter to Naviance by 11/1, so we can print it out and include it in your IDD package. Your transcript will be provided automatically- you do not need to request a transcript for IDD.

3. Towards the end of October, you will receive an email asking you to sign up for your appointment times. On the day of your interview, the admissions counselor will review your IDD packet, meet with you, and offer you an “instant decision”!

• Simplified application process
• Waived application fees
• Reduced stress and waiting time for students
• Immediate feedback and decision
• Scholarships and merit money can be awarded in addition to a decision
• Non-binding- no commitment to attend the college
  

The PSAT/NMSQT is administered in a digital format, making it easier to take, shorter in length, and providing more time per question. There are 2 sections to the test: Evidence Based Reading/Writing & Math. Additionally, the digital test includes a built-in calculator that can be used throughout the entire math section.

Room assignments will be posted in both buildings the week of testing. Students should bring their fully charged Pennsbury chromebook to the test. College Board’s testing application, “Bluebook” is already installed on all student chromebooks. Personal devices are not permitted for the PSAT.

• Score Access: Your child will be able to receive their scores quickly and directly through the BigFuture® School mobile app.

• National Merit Scholarship Program: By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, typically in 11th grade, your child may meet the requirements to enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition that offers recognition and scholarships.

• AP Potential: Based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores, students will receive personalized recommendations on Advanced Placement (AP®) courses that might be a good fit for them.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Your child will gain access to over $300 million in scholarships just by participating in the PSAT/NMSQT.

• Career Insights: Alongside their scores, your child will receive information on six growing career fields in our state, helping them consider potential career paths. They can also log into their College Board account for more in-depth exploration.

• College and Scholarship Connections: Through the Connections™ program, your child can receive information directly from nonprofit colleges and scholarship programs that may be a good match for them—without having to share personal details.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Before a student can take CollegeBoard exams with accommodations, they must request the accommodations and be approved by College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities.

If your child has testing accommodations through an IEP or 504, please complete the

Consent Form for Accommodations Request and return to your student’s counselor.

*Please note that accommodations previously approved by CollegeBoard will be applied to all CollegeBoard testing (PSAT, SAT, AP) and reapplication is not necessary.

We encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity as they chart their path toward postsecondary success. Whether your student is considering a two- or four-year college, a job training program, or is still exploring their options, the PSAT/NMSQT is a valuable tool in helping them plan for their future.

If you’d like to opt your student out of this testing, please complete this form by 10/1/24: PSAT Opt Out form.

2024-25 Coolidge Scholarship application

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that recipients may use for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2026 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

Academic excellence is the primary criterion considered by the Coolidge Scholarship. Secondary criteria include an interest in public policy and an appreciation of the values President Coolidge championed. Successful candidates will also demonstrate humility and have a record of genuine service to their communities. A complete description of the scholarship’s criteria is available here.

The submission deadline is 5:00 PM Pacific time, Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

The PreACT is a practice version of the ACT and is designed to help students identify areas where they need improvement. It covers the same subjects as the ACT—English, Math, Reading, and Science—and provides an estimated ACT score range. The test is structured to give students a sense of what to expect on the actual ACT, and it helps them become familiar with the test format and types of questions.

Benefits of Taking the PreACT

• Early Practice/Improved Performance: Taking the PreACT allows students to experience the structure and timing of the ACT early in their high school career.

• Score Feedback: Students receive detailed score reports that highlight their strengths and areas for improvement, helping them to focus their study efforts.

• Career Insights: The PreACT provides students with a career interest inventory, offering insights into potential career paths based on their interests and strengths.

For more information on the PreACT, please visit:

Why Take the PreACT

Ways the PreACT Helps You

Services for Students with Disabilities

We are committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to perform their best on the PreACT. If your child has a documented disability and receives extended time as one of their IEP or 504 testing accommodations, your child will have the opportunity to test with that accommodation on the PreACT. Please speak to your child’s counselor to discuss the availability of other testing accommodations. We will work closely with you to ensure that all required accommodations are in place for your child.

We encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity as they chart their path toward postsecondary success. Whether your student is considering a two- or four-year college, a job training program, or is still exploring their options, the PreACT is a valuable tool in helping them plan for their future. If you’d like to opt your student out of this testing, please complete this form by 10/1/24: PSAT Opt Out form.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County is looking for new High School Bigs to mentor elementary Littles once per week for the duration of the school year. Stop in either counseling office for more information!