LHS Counseling Monthly Update

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!

📌 WHO IS MY LHS COUNSELOR? (2026–27)

Keep this handy for schedule questions, college planning, and social-emotional support!

• Last Names A–E: Mrs. Highsmith ➡️ latishahighsmith@wsdr4.org

• Last Names F–K: Mr. Cunningham ➡️ chadcunningham@wsdr4.org

• Last Names L–Q: Mrs. Eldredge ➡️ kellyeldredge@wsdr4.org

• Last Names R–Z: Mrs. Blackford ➡️ paigeblackford@wsdr4.org

• Dual Enroll /A+/ Post-High School: Mrs. Riley ➡️ maryellenriley@wsdr4.org

Have a great year, Eagles!

Schedules will be release in Focus on August 7th.

Students can view, print, or take a screenshot of their class schedule for this school year. Parents must first complete all online registration forms before the schedule is viewable. If students are in need of a schedule correction due to missing a graduation credit needed please click Course Correction Form (the link will open once schedules are released) or see Liberty’s counseling website. Emailing our counselors with your request may delay this process. If you have just enrolled and are new to Liberty, we most likely have not created a schedule for you yet. We will reach out via email as soon as your schedule is ready.

Course Corrections can be requested by filling out the
Course Correction Form.

What is a correction?

-Missing a graduation requirement in your schedule and need it added

-Missing a pre-requisite (e.g. enrolled in Drawing, but haven't taken Art Fundamentals yet)

-No class listed during the period

-Enrolled in a class that you already have taken (unless it is a PE-related class)

• August 17 - Dual Enroll Only - First Day of St. Charles Community College Classes
• August 24 - First Day of Liberty High School Classes
• August 28 - With Accommodations (IEP and 504)- Last Day to Register Accommodation Request on this FORM & Last Day to Register in Focus for October ACT/PSAT/ASVAB/WorkKeys with Accommodations
• September 2 - Senior Meeting during Nest Time - all 12th grade
• September 8 - A+ Training (required to begin program) Red Lunch
• September 11 - Last Day for Job Shadow CEA Sign Up - Form
• September 28 - October 2: ACT Prep Workshop during Lunch
• October 5 - 9: Apply Week - Extra Help for College Applications
• October 9 - Last Day to Register in Focus for ACT/PSAT/ASVAB/WorkKeys
• October - ACT, ASVAB, PreACT, ACT WorkKeys Tests
• October 21 - PSAT Test
• November 9 - Advanced Placement Test Registration and Payment Due

11th & 12th: Sign up for A+ Training on Tuesday September 8 during Red Soar (Lunch) Time to get started on your hours this year.

9th & 10th: Keep up your attendance and your GPA this year!

ALL GRADES: You can do up to 12.5 of your A+ Hours through Job Shadowing. Here is the A+ Job Shadowing Form.

Grades 11 & 12:

You are able to sign up for college rep visits to Liberty. There are already OVER 20 schools coming for a visit!

• Click HERE for a current list of colleges who are visiting LHS.
• Before signing up, do some research on whether or not the college is a good fit.
• Click HERE to sign up for a college. Only one college per submission. You must submit a separate sign-up request for EACH COLLEGE.
• You must sign up no later than 2:30 pm on the school day prior to the visit.

Grades 9-12:

The WSD will host its annual testing window from Oct. 13-23, 2026, offering high schoolers a convenient, school-day opportunity to fulfill Missouri's College and Career Readiness graduation requirements. Students can choose from these assessment options:

• ACT 9-12th grade ($56.25 or free for 11th; college-bound students)
• ACT WorkKeys 9-12th grade ($36.00; designed for career and workforce readiness)
• ASVAB 9-12th grade (Free; measures vocational aptitude with no military commitment required)
• PreACT 9-12th grade ($18; ideal for grades 9-10)
  
• PSAT 10-11th grade - - On a Different Day - ($18; required qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship Program)

Deadline is October 9, 2026 for all standard registrations (no accommodations) for all ACT or ACT with Science and sign up in the Focus Portal

Please note the strict deadlines, as late registrations cannot be accepted.

Are you ready to ace the ACT? Join us for a comprehensive workshop designed to help you unlock your full potential on this important college admissions exam. Learn effective test-taking strategies, time management techniques, and in-depth content review for all sections of the ACT.

** Important Note: Liberty is a testing site for both tests. Liberty is now DIGITAL for ACT and SAT.**

Many colleges do not require applicants to have an ACT/SAT test score (test-optional/test-blind). However, we still recommend that college-bound and tech school-bound students consider taking one of the tests. If you have a strong score, you can use it to help increase your chances of being admitted and/or qualifying for scholarships. Additionally, scores provide insight into your readiness for college-level course work, and some colleges will use scores as a placement test for English and Math courses.

Colleges that do accept test scores do NOT have a preference between these two tests. Each school accepts both tests.

Liberty is an official test site for both tests.

REGISTRATION LINKS: ACT SAT

Students with disabilities may be eligible to apply for testing accommodations, and students experiencing financial need may be eligible for a registration fee waiver -- see your counselor for more information.

The SCCAD Paramedic Exploration Academy is a 5-week immersive experience intended to provide high school students considering a career in healthcare or as a first responder an opportunity to learn more about a career in emergency medical services and mobile healthcare. Seats are limited. Click HERE for more info and the application. Deadline: 9/7

• What is this for? This is an amazing opportunity for your student to explore different career paths through job shadowing experiences during October 19 - November 6.

• What are the important dates?:

  • Sign-ups begin: Aug. 31 on this FORM

  • Application deadline: September 11

  • Confirmation emails sent: September

  • Job shadowing weeks: October 19 - November 6

• Where's the application? It will be emailed to accepted students at 8 PM on 8/25/25
• Who can I contact to learn more?: For any questions, please contact the CEA Program Coordinator, Katie Cannavan, katie.cannavan@scccaps.org.
• Accepted students MAY use this opportunity for A+ Job Shadowing Hours. You complete the A+ Job Shadowing Form in order to earn A+ Hours.

Counselor

The Common App and other college applications will ask for your counselor's name and email.

You will add: Mary Ellen Riley

maryellenriley@wsdr4.org

College Portals

Colleges notify students of acceptance decisions, materials pending, etc. through their own College Portal. To help keep track, I have created this College Tracker to organize your applications.

Recommendation Letter Tips:

1. You do not need to add optional letters. Request only the number of required letters.

2. Provide a Brag Sheet that provides content for the writer. Include specific evidence for the writer.

3. Colleges already have your GPA, course list and grades. Remember that this is the place to brag!

4. Provide specific descriptors and short, concrete examples of your best work.

You can view the directions and send the transcript via Parchment.

Senior Meeting during Nest Time on Wednesday, 9/2.

Seniors without a Nest Time are encouraged to stay at school for this event. We will discuss information such as graduation requirements, graduating with honors, college applications, sending transcripts, career planning, and more!