Guidance Dept November Newsletter
MEFA - FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM
MEFA FINANCIAL AID NIGHT was held on October 14th. A MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) representative presented information on how to complete the FAFSA form required for all students planning to attend college and needing aid for the 2027/28 school year.
➨If you were not able to attend, the program was recorded at Natick High School and can be watched HERE.
Also, MEFA offers a previously recorded webinar Financial Aid 101. This webinar provides information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. Learn about financial aid applications and types of aid, the factors that determine your eligibility for aid, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. Download the webinar slides to follow along.
AP EXAM REGISTRATION
AP® (Advanced Placement ) Exam Registration Now Open
Here is the link to the 2026-2027 AP Exam Registration Site
Note: These exams are intended for students who are currently enrolled in an AP course at Natick High School or have prepared for exams independently.
We’re officially at the halfway point of the first semester! The first term ended on Friday, October 30th. Ninth graders will be able to view their first high school report card soon in their PowerSchool accounts. Grades will be posted on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 12th.
Second term begins on Monday, November 2nd, and all students should check their updated schedules in PowerSchool. With the new term comes a small but important change in freshman schedules: Guidance Seminar! Freshmen will see that one of their CDS blocks has been replaced with Freshman Guidance Seminar, a course that will meet every four days for the duration of second term. All students have their own guidance counselor as their “Guidance Sem” teacher, and we’re looking forward to seeing our freshmen more regularly! Topics covered will range from time management, to understanding credits, to participation in extracurricular clubs and sports, and more! Freshmen received a reminder of this schedule change prior to the start of the new term.
Dear Sophomores,
For more than five decades, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) seminar has inspired young people to make a difference and become catalysts for positive change in their home, school, workplace, and community. As America’s foremost youth leadership organization, HOBY has a long history of successfully motivating young people to develop into outstanding leaders. Students learn to use their own unique traits and are exposed to particular leadership principles that they can explore and incorporate in a fashion that is true to their own personality. Each spring, 10,000 high school sophomores from across the country join one of HOBY’s 70 State Leadership Seminars to hone their leadership talents. HOBY Ambassadors have the distinction of representing their school and state. In 2026-27 Natick High School will nominate 3 HOBY Ambassadors.
Natick High School sophomore students must submit their Survey responses by Monday November 16th. HOBY is looking for sophomores who exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
Critical/ creative thinking and creative problem solving
Decision making skills
Sensitivity to the needs/ concerns of others
Leadership qualities
Courage to speak out for one’s beliefs and challenge authority
Participation/ interest in community service activities.
The results of the HOBY award nomination will be announced by the end of November. The 2027 MA HOBY Seminar will be held from June 4-6, 2027 at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. The registration fee is $350.00 and the process will be discussed with the candidates who are selected. Students for whom the registration fee is a financial hardship are still encouraged to apply and we can work with you on financial assistance.
Like many local high schools, Natick High has established an equitable process of identifying three sophomores to represent our school at the HOBY State Leadership Conference. This provides every 10th grade student with an equal chance of being selected. The HOBY organization may promote the State Leadership Seminar outside of this format, however to be a Natick High HOBY Ambassador students must participate in the process we have outlined.
If you would like more information please speak with Mr. Fernandes in the Guidance Department and visit https://hobyma.org/ or www.hoby.org.
How do student participants view HOBY? Take a look at this infochart.
COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS:
While juniors may already be thinking about college, counselors will meet with students during Term 3 Guidance Seminars to cover key post-secondary topics. These include standardized testing, teacher recommendations, college list building, Naviance features, college essays, and the Common Application. You can review additional resources and details on the Guidance Seminar page. Additionally, a Virtual Parent Program will be released in early December, and counselors will be available for individual 1:1 meetings throughout the spring to address your student’s specific questions.
ALTERNATIVE PATHS:
During junior year, post-secondary planning focuses on exploring the diverse paths available after high school to find the right fit for your personal and career goals. While many students prepare for traditional higher education by researching two-year or four-year colleges, Natick High School highlights several valuable alternative options to consider. Juniors can explore gap year programs, enter vocational and technical fields through the trades, join Job Corps, pursue public safety roles or military service, or enter the workforce directly. Engaging with these alternative pathways early in 11th grade helps students evaluate all possibilities and build a clear, structured post-graduation plan.
FIRST TERM GRADE SUBMISSIONS FOR SENIORS:
For those students who have applied or are in the process of applying to schools, please note that the Guidance Office will automatically send your first term grades to those colleges listed on your Transcript Request Forms. Please do not be alarmed if your colleges are asking for first term grades – this is often an automated email or letter from the college just as a reminder. Once grades are verified and incomplete grades resolved after term 1 ends, report cards will be sent to colleges. Our goal is to send all first term grades out prior to the Thanksgiving holiday break. Please note that it can typically take 4-5 weeks for colleges’ admissions offices to record all application items as received on their end at this busy time of year.
SENIOR PARENT PROGRAM
Counselors released a pre-recorded virtual program for senior parents on September 18, 2026. We reviewed the college planning process and provided a summary of the material taught to your students in Guidance Seminar this term. The program can be found HERE.
SENIOR GUIDANCE SEMINARS finished this week. We have enjoyed having your senior in class each week to guide them through the post high school planning process. Students should schedule meetings with their counselors with remaining questions and for continued support.
COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITATION
We encourage students to continue to visit colleges throughout the fall. For students electing to utilize this opportunity, the Campus Visit Form must be completed and submitted to the front office. Students have up to 2 excused absences per semester with a completed Campus Visit Form. Prior to your visit, print the Campus Visit Form to get signed/stamped by the college for an excused absence.
WELCOME TO THE CAREER READINESS CENTER!
Need help finding a job, earning community service hours, writing a resume, or exploring MassBay dual enrollment? Connect with Mrs. O’Leary at joleary@natickps.org.
Explore the Career Center Newsletter and College & Career Readiness Website for resources and opportunities.
Job Fair: Holiday Hiring
Thursday, November 19 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Outside the cafeteria
Looking for a seasonal or part-time job? Stop by during your lunch block to meet local employers, ask questions, and pick up applications before the holiday season!
Community Service
Give back, get involved, and work toward your graduation requirement! Find opportunities in our Community Service Database.
Reminder: All students must complete 30 hours of community service to graduate.