AHS/DNG Counselor's Corner
October 2026
AHS Testing
While counselors don't handle testing for AHS, we get lost of questions about testing and want to direct you to the right people! Here is the contact info for our testing department:
AHS Testing Coordinator: Silvia Marin smarin@aledoisd.org
TSI Testing: Claire Gay cgay@aledoisd.org
For more information: https://ahs.aledoisd.org/parents-students/resources/testing-information
AHS Live Testing Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQYuv6ryyk5jL4nVJNMoNohFV1-v202RtdLSk1fjJQbf_oItiT0DeCF6nelYCgeUT8tNG23ci0dOGZG/pub
AHS College Fair 2026
The college search is about more than finding a school. It is about exploring options, asking questions, and discovering what comes next.
We hope your 10th–12th grade student will join us for our College Fair on Tuesday, October 27!
Students will have the opportunity to connect directly with college and university representatives, learn more about their options, and make valuable connections for their future.
📌 Before the Fair:
Students need to register for their personal barcode at www.StriveFair.com
📱 Important: Students will not have access to their phones during the fair, so they must print their barcode before attending.
🎓 At the Fair:
College representatives will scan your student’s barcode when they connect. This allows colleges to follow up with your student and share additional information.
📬 After the Fair:
The day after the event, your student will receive a report with information about the colleges and universities they connected with.
Parents, encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity! A conversation at the College Fair could be the first step toward discovering a college, program, or pathway they had not considered before.
The Bound for Success program is a partnership between UTA and Aledo ISD where a dedicated College and Career coach works on our campus 2 days per week. When here, they will be working with students on college applications, financial aid, and so much more. While they do work for UTA, they can partner with you to help you with any college or technical school application to ensure you have the support you need. These partners have a wealth of knowledge in post-secondary planning and will work with our Counseling Team to bring another layer of service and support for our AHS students!
Students can request to see them by scanning the BFS QR code on their door outside of the Library!
Parents and students may send the reps an email or schedule a virtual meeting here: https://appt.link/kattya-cepedas-meetings-m6kqjxvh
kattya.cepeda@uta.edu or mariska.debruijn@uta.edu
Kattya and Mariska are back this year and ready to assist you in the AHS Go Center! Kattya will be here on Thursdays and Mariska will be here on Mondays in Room 1118!
Try the “Plan Before You Play” Rule!
One of the easiest ways to help your student build better time-management habits is to encourage them to plan their responsibilities before jumping into free time.
At the beginning of each afternoon or evening, have your student take 5 minutes to answer three questions:
📚 What do I need to get done?
⏰ How much time will each task take?
🎯 What should I do first?
Encourage your student to write down assignments, estimate the time needed, and choose one task to start with. Breaking a long to-do list into smaller, manageable steps can make schoolwork feel much less overwhelming.
Parent tip: Instead of asking, “Did you do your homework?” try asking, “What’s your plan for getting your schoolwork done tonight?” This small shift encourages students to take ownership of their time and build the executive-functioning skills they will need in high school, college, careers, and beyond.
Small habits → stronger skills → greater independence. 🧡🖤
CTE Day at Tarleton!
Aledo ISD CTE Seniors have an exciting opportunity to experience how their high school CTE skills can connect to college programs and future careers!
On Thursday, November 5, students will head to Tarleton State University for a hands on CTE Day designed to help them:
🔬 Participate in experiential labs
🎓 Explore Tarleton degree programs and career pathways
💡 Discover how CTE skills can transition into college programs
🏫 Experience the Tarleton campus
This is a chance for students to explore, experience, and envision what their next step could look like.
Interested in attending? Students should scan the QR code on the flyer and complete the interest form. Space are limited, and completing the form does not guarantee a spot.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSaftBD3n7RSsJWGYyaQiUiWVQRnH_NRC6mMjixy10StuR-Q/viewform
Weatherford College Field Trip
Join us for a field trip, Friday, November 13 to Weatherford College. You will go on a walking tour, hear from various offices and eat lunch in the Coyote Cafe! Check out the link for more details!
https://tinyurl.com/wcfieldtrip2026
Deadline to sign up is Friday, October 23!
You’re invited to attend an interactive virtual college fair hosted by the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network!
Connect with representatives from all 32 STARS College Network member schools to explore outstanding academic and campus opportunities designed especially for rural and small-town students. Take advantage of this unique chance to ask questions, learn more about college life, and discover the many ways our schools are committed to your success.
Tuesday, October 13
7:00-8:30 PM (CDT)
REGISTER HERE
The STARS College Network is a consortium of 32 top colleges and universities across the United States committed to improving access and affordability to higher education for rural and small-town students. These schools are united in their mission to make college a reality for all rural and small-town students through free college planning tools that help students learn about, prepare for, apply to, and succeed at college.
This college fair is co-sponsored by the National Consortium of STEM Schools (NCSS). The STARS College Network is grateful for their partnership!
Friends, family, educators, and administrators are invited to join the fair too!
After registering, you will receive a separate email with our Zoom webinar link approximately 4 hours before the session's start time.
Can't make it this time? Check out our schedule of upcoming events and follow us on the STARS YouTube Channel to catch up on previous virtual sessions.
Post-Secondary Planning
Check it out HERE!
Major Clarity is a great resource and is also where you will request transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Major Clarity Resources
- Career Exploration
- Post-Secondary Exploration
- Portfolio
- Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation (12th grade only)
- Connecting Your Common Application (12th grade only)
- Common Application Evaluator (12th grade only)
My Texas Future
Check out My Texas Future for more college and career planning information! It's a great site that also has direct admissions information for 25+ schools in Texas!
This is now a graduation requirement for the State of Texas!
Beginning with the Class of 2027, Texas law requires graduating seniors to make an election regarding participation in the My Texas Future Direct Admissions program.
My Texas Future is an online platform developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) that helps students explore colleges, careers, programs, financial aid, and college application opportunities. The Direct Admissions program can also allow participating Texas colleges and universities to identify students who may be eligible for admission based on their academic information.
Every senior must complete ONE of the following before graduation:
OPTION 1 – Participate in My Texas Future:
Create or update your My Texas Future account and complete the required election to participate in the Direct Admissions program.
OR
OPTION 2 – Opt Out:
Submit the required, signed My Texas Future/Direct Admissions opt-out form.
Information is distributed to Seniors during fall of their Senior year on how to complete and verify this requirement.
Connect with your AHS/DNG Counseling team!
Follow us on Instagram and X (twitter) and like our Facebook page (Aledo High School Counseling Department) for all things AHS Counseling and even some Bearcat fun! We will share upcoming dates, important information, and show you a look at AHS/DNG through our eyes.
