Week 1: August 14

Greetings new HRHS families and for the rest of you, welcome back!! My name is Kalley Sadler and I am the post grad secretary. This will be my 8th year at THE Highlands Ranch High School and my fourth year in post grad. I am a Colorado Native but left the state to attend college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, then I moved to St. Louis, Missouri to attend grad school at Washington University School of Medicine, and then on to a fellowship in Greensboro, North Carolina. After working in Texas for a few years, my family and I returned to this beautiful area. My husband and I have 4 kids (2 in college and 2 in the district) and multiple nieces and nephews in the area; so talking about what you want to do when you grow up is in my repertoire . I truly look forward to helping students discover/fulfill post-graduate plans whatever career path they choose.

Some of our students have known what they want to do beyond high school from an early age. Others are not sure of their plans yet. That's okay! HRHS Post Grad offers a hub of information on the various paths to map your future after graduation. The Post Grad Center is conveniently located across from the commons off the main hallway. We offer a meeting space for college, trade school, and military representatives to visit with students. Announcements about visit days for these reps will be found in this newsletter, community and student newsletters, postings outside the office and on Instagram(@hrhspostgrad).

Naviance is an American college and career readiness software that partners with high schools to provide students with college planning and career assessment tools. Students have the opportunity to work on Naviance tasks (with assistance, if requested), search for post-graduate opportunities, and complete college applications within the Post Grad Center. Students may seek advice while searching for scholarships, practicing interview skills, or simply getting assistance with completing the application process. My door is open to help you succeed. Stop by and take a look at all of your post grad resources at any time!

Throughout the year I will send out information regarding Career, College, Testing, and Scholarship information, as I receive it, and as it pertains to you/your HRHS student in my weekly newsletter. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions. My contact information is on the post grad website (a good site to check out for additional post grad related questions).

• Maintain your grades during your junior year is especially important. College Admissions Counselors look for an upward trend in grades throughout the high school years.
• Be aware of the PSAT and SAT dates.
• Speak with your advisor during your junior meeting about your academic record and profile; determine gaps or weakness and get suggestions on how to strengthen your candidacy for the schools in which you are interested in applying.
• Determine what it takes to position yourself most favorable for admission to the college(s) of your choice, in addition to GPA and test scores

Jackie Rapant and Jennifer Ewing offer a full day workshop to complete the Common App college essay and receive individualized feedback. Students end the day with a polished and ready to submit college essay. Additionally, they will receive tools to assist them in asking for and receiving the best letters of recommendation possible.

SEPT 2 Senior Parent Workshop / Financial Aid Night / Essay Workshop @HRHS

SEPT 18 College Fairs USA @ CU Denver 9:30-12:30pm

OCT 1 Career Fair @HRHS

OCT 1 CCHS/CR Day/Night College Fair @HRHS 6:00pm-7:30pm

OCT 2 Denver Music College Fair @University of Denver, 7-9pm

OCT 3 Great Denver College Fair @Mountain Vista High School, 10:00am-12:00pm

OCT 6 Senior Panoramic Photo @ 9:15am

OCT 17 NACAC National College Fair @Convention Center 1:00-4:00pm

NOV TBD Denver Center for the Performing Arts College Fair 7:00pm – 9:00pm

NOV TBD FAFSA Night

FEB 10 Future Planning Night (9th, 10th, 11th Grade Parents)

FEB 21 Practice SAT for Juniors

MAR TBD RMACAC College Fair

MAR 9 College Fair @HRHS (During Access)

MAR 23 Senior Graduation Meeting

MAY 17 Senior Honors Convocation by invitation only 5:30 pm

MAY 18 Senior Breakfast/Mandatory Senior Mtg/Graduation Practice

MAY 19 Graduation @ Red Rocks Amphitheater 7:00 pm

Army ROTC National High School Scholarship, which opened 14 June 2026.
This national scholarship can provide:

• Full tuition or up to $12,000/year for room & board
• $420/month living stipend
  
• $1,200/year textbook allowance
• Leadership training while students complete their degree

There is no military obligation until the start of the junior year of college (unless students accept and activate a 3- or 4-year scholarship earlier). The scholarship is open to students pursuing any academic major.

Students can use this scholarship at hundreds of universities nationwide, including the University of Kansas and our partner ROTC programs across Kansas and northwest Missouri. The Jayhawk Battalion works directly with: KU, Washburn, Baker, Rockhurst, Park, UMKC, University of Saint Mary, and Haskell Indian Nations University. We also host Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College students, but those students will have to enroll at a 4-year university before scholarships or contracting options become available. If students are interested other universities in Kansas, Pittsburg State or Wichita State, those schools are hosted by the Pitt State ROTC program, while Kansas State University operates as its own stand-alone ROTC battalion. Early application is strongly encouraged, as the first national board meets in October. If you would like assistance preparing a competitive application, the admissions officer can work with you directly. Schedule an Appointment

The Common App opened up on August 1 and many of you have begun filling out applications already. Please be mindful of college application deadlines and plan ahead so that you are not scrambling at the last minute to get everything submitted. Whether you are applying via common app OR direct to the institution, here is the process you should follow for requesting supplemental materials at HRHS:

1. Create your brag sheet/high school resume. Fill out the "Student profile" for both counselors and teachers in Naviance if you will be requesting a letter of recommendation. In Naviance click on "About Me" then click on "Surveys from your School". Both surveys are housed there. You can use this for scholarship recommendation letters as well.
2. Research Colleges and finalize your list. Several colleges will have meet and greets in post grad this fall(see above) so make a list of the school visits you want to attend and mark them as “Colleges I’m Applying To” or “Colleges I’m Thinking About” in Naviance.
3. Complete your personal college essay.
4. Retake the ACT/SAT if you want a higher score.
5. Visit the college website to check for application requirements and/or to apply. You may be able to apply through Common App for many colleges.

• Next, you will request transcripts and letters of recommendation (if required) through Naviance.
• You should only ask 1 or 2 teachers about writing you a letter of Recommendation IMPORTANT- please make sure to ask them via email or in person and receive a YES response from them BEFORE adding the letter of recommendation request in Common App/Naviance. Once they have agreed, send them your brag sheet or let them know your student profile is complete in Naviance.
• Go to colleges I'm applying to - red + to add colleges - request transcript. If you applied through Common App, match your account.
• You will then pay for transcripts through MySchoolBucks. Look for HRHS TRANSCRIPTS and complete the form. (This is not invoiced to your account...you pay prior to me sending the transcripts)
• The last step will be for students to email me to let me know everything you intend to send (transcript, letters of recommendation, if you applied through common app) or communicate with me in some way so that I can help you through the process. The earlier the better so we don't miss deadlines. Make sure you check your email everyday as I will communicate via email if there is an issue with your application or transcript, etc.
• I will send an email confirmation once transcript, etc. is sent to the student email and the account listed for myschoolbucks.

Admissions representatives will be in POST GRAD starting in September. Reps will provide a brief overview of each institution, information on admissions and financial aid, and a chance to speak informally with admissions representatives. You should register to attend and then come by post grad to pick up a hall pass if the visit is during class time.

• Call or e-mail Post Grad (contact info on the Post Grad home page)
• Register with RepVisits

Here is a list of colleges scheduled for the next 6 weeks. It is subject to change and I'm sure there will be lots more. Keep your eye out for schools you are interested in learning more about.

• 9/1/26, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, Norman, OK, 11:30am

• 9/2/26, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 8:30am

• 9/4/26, Miami University-Oxford, Oxford, OH, 9:30am
• 9/14/26, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, 9:00am
• 9/15/26, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 10:30am
• 9/15/26, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 11:30am
• 9/15/26, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 12:30pm
• 9/17/26, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 8:30am
• 9/28/26, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 10:00am
• 9/28/26, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 11:00am
• 9/30/26, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA, 9:00am
• 10/2/26, Penn State University Park, University Park, PA, 8:30am
• 10/2/26, Providence College, Providence, RI, 9:00am
• 10/2/26, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, 9:30am
• 10/2/26, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 11:00am
• 10/2/26, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, 1:00pm
• 10/5/26, Florida Tech, Melbourne, FL, 11:30am
• 10/6/26, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 8:30am
• 10/6/26, Elon University, Elon, NC, 10:30am
• 10/6/26, Arizona State University- Tempe, Tempe, AZ, 12:00pm
• 10/19/26, Bentley University, Waltham, MA, 11:00am
• 10/26/26, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 11:30am
• 10/29/26, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 1:00pm

In Naviance, please make sure to add any colleges in which you might be interested to the "colleges I am interested in" section. When colleges reach out for nominations for fly ins or early acceptance scholarships, we would love to include your name. Schools like Swathmore, Embry Riddle, High Point University, and others may ask and I'd love to be able to suggest you.

No time to visit campus in person? Try watching The College Tours. Each episode of the award-winning TV series shares the story of a single college or university through the authentic lens of its current students. Learn from real students about their real experiences on campus. This TV series is a comprehensive guide to aid your college research, helping you answer the ultimate question: ‘Which college is best for me?’ Take the ultimate campus tour now by watching episodes of this informative TV series. The College Tour at High Point University

• ACT's "My Journey" is a free series of live and on-demand webinars designed for high school students and families to navigate college planning, admissions, and career readiness. Led by Collegewise experts, these sessions cover topics like building application roadmaps, finding scholarships, and selecting colleges.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it on time. Your registration includes a recording of the event delivered straight to your inbox.

• Check the Scholarship website on the HRHS website for scholarships and scholarship search engines to help you find scholarships that meet your qualifications.
• I update scholarships that are sent to HRHS seeking potential applicants weekly. It is sorted by application due date.
• I will also post some in this newsletter

The path to college can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone! The Daniels Fund College & Financial Aid Showcase brings together trusted partners to help students better understand college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and the steps ahead. High school juniors, seniors, parents, and guardians are invited to join us for this FREE event.

Saturday, August 29, 2026
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
CSU Spur Campus, Hydro Building
4777 National Western Drive
Denver, Colorado 80216
Refreshments will be provided

Register here: danielsfund.org/2026-showcase

Seniors took their first SAT in April 2026, and many choose to take it again this fall to improve their score. The SAT can help you keep your college options open, demonstrate your unique strengths, and even qualify for scholarships. And with 100% free practice resources, now including enhanced tailored practice based on your prior test scores and free small-group tutoring, you’ll have everything you need to get prepared.

Upcoming SAT Test Dates (Registration Deadline)

September 12 (August 28)

October 3 (September 18)

November 7 (October 23)

December 5 (November 20)

Upcoming ACT Test Dates (Registration Deadline)

• September 19, 2026 (August 14)
• October 17, 2026 (September 11)
• December 12, 2026 (November 6)
• February 27, 2027 (January 22)
• April 10, 2027 (March 5)
• June 12, 2027 (May 7)
• July 10, 2027 (June 4)

There are several tutors hoping to help students with various subjects or testing. A list can be found on the post grad website.

This is available for free in the Library every Access period, after school Mon-Thurs from 2:45-3:30, before school on silver days from 7:15-8:10!

Students sign up online for tutoring using this google form: Sign up for NHS Tutoring

What kind of help can you get from a tutoring session?

• One-on-One tutoring session -- specific skill or assignment

• A study buddy -- study and review for a test

• A homework helper -- while you work on your homework

• A writing coach -- organize your thoughts/edit your written work

• A reading buddy -- help you with your assigned reading

General Reminder: All seniors need to complete and turn in 20 hours of community service. Your completed hours are posted on your unofficial transcript. Need ideas?

To honor the dedication and bravery of former HRHS students serving in the military, we have a recognition wall for service members at HRHS. If you know of a former student enlisted with the military, I would like to include them in our display case. It is an opportunity for our school community to express gratitude and support for these individuals. Please email me the contact info and I can reach out to them to include their name, branch of the military and a photo/write up if available.

Army National Guard:

• September 9
• October 14

Follow the HRHS Postgrad Instagram Page!