Smoky Hill Counseling Updates

1. Find your counselor here

2. Meet your mental health team here

3. Red/Green Calendar

4. Bell Schedule

5. Check out the Activities that Smoky Hill has to offer, here

Click here for important information and dates leading up to graduation.

Date: August 10, 2026 from 7-9pm

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center

Who: Anyone is welcome, but especially juniors and seniors

Info:

• The event is free and open to the public, and pre-registration is encouraged. Learn more and pre-register here
• The fair is especially helpful for students who are looking for colleges that focus on strong teaching, supportive campus communities, meaningful student involvement, and undergraduate success.
• You’ll have the chance to learn more about admissions, financial aid, campus life, and what makes each school unique.

• Summer School registration is now open.
• Click here to learn more and sign up for in-person or online Summer School and check out other summer opportunities through CCSD

Seniors, are you needing to request Transcripts for AP, CE, DE, IB, or CLEP credits to submit to the college you are attending next year?

• Click here for instructions

OR

• Come to the College and Career Center on May 7th before school from 8-8:20 am or on May 8th during both lunches for support with this process

• The Buffs Resource Center is open after school every Tuesday and Wednesday until 4:30! If you need support in math or just want a quiet place to get some work done, stop by room I-414 and get the help you need.

• The Testing Center is open every Tuesday after school until 4:30. If you need to make up a test, that’s the place to be.

Students need 1.5 credits of PE to graduate. If students have participated in a sport through Smoky Hill, they are eligible to waive .5 credits of PE. Students can email their counselor for verification and to have these credits waived.

• Note, we can only waive a maximum of .5 credits of PE no matter how many sports students participate in.

Check out the Policy, here

The Common Application has officially released the personal essay prompts for next year’s college applications! More than 1,000 colleges and universities allow students to complete one application and submit it to multiple schools. If you are planning to apply to colleges that use the Common App, now is a great time to start brainstorming and drafting your essay.

• You can view the official essay prompts here

Smoky Hill Juniors to be Seniors: Official Transcripts are traditionally required for: 4 and 2 year colleges/universities, Trade or technical schools, military enlistment, scholarships, etc.

• Transcripts are traditionally 5 dollars each (Free for students who are on Free or Reduced Lunch)
• For 20 dollars you can request unlimited "official" transcripts during your senior year. Click here to purchase.

*Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in the meeting if they are able.

Campus Visits are a key step in your college or trade school journey. They help you experience the environment, meet people at the school, and discover where you feel most at home.

• Click here to learn more about campus visit opportunities in Colorado.

Interested in attending out-of-state colleges at a significantly reduced tuition rate? Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), partner schools agree to charge no more than 150% of their in-state tuition—a major cost savings for Colorado students exploring options across the West.

Explore WUE Schools & Savings

• Download the full list of participating WUE colleges

• Use the WUE Tuition Savings Finder to see how much you can save and compare programs across states

Are you trying to make sense of your financial aid award letters? We recommend utilizing the Award Advisor Application. Learn more here.

SHHS Seniors: Are you going to a 4-year college, 2-year college or a trade school? The FAFSA application is now open. (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

• What is the FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students complete to determine their eligibility for financial aid. This financial aid can include federal grants, work-study programs, and loans. Many states, colleges and trade schools also use the information from the FAFSA to award their own financial aid packages.

Why is teaching financial literacy important? Financial literacy is essential for all students, regardless of their background or future career path. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of personal finance, make informed decisions, and achieve financial security. Below are hyperlinks to resources for parents:

Tips for Keeping Your Social Security Number Safe

Building Your Money Skills

Understanding Credit Score

What is Debt?

Naviance is a college and career planning platform that supports students in exploring their interests, researching colleges, tracking applications, and more. It also provides parents/guardians resources to support their students postsecondary planning.

PowerSchool and Schoology work together to store data about our students and to support their learning. Please click here for more information on how these forms of technology can help you and your student.