AVA Family Update
March 1, 2026
Good afternoon AVA students and families,
I have the usual schedule, guidance, and community updates below.
Please note the unusual Wednesday schedule, when all classes meet. I would also point out the end of Trimester 2 dates in the important dates section below.
It will be good to return to a more normal week starting tomorrow.
Joseph Connor, AVA Principal
508.245.9948
Next Week's Schedule
Guidance Updates
Next Year Plans
Reminder: AVA non-seniors and families who intend to enroll back on campus next year should complete this quick Next Year Plans Survey. Ms. Nellie will follow up soon after submitting the survey about the AHS course request process.
SAT Testing
The first spring administration of the SAT exam is in a couple of weeks, so AVA juniors interested should start the online registration process sooner than later, especially since seats at the Attleboro High School location tend to fill up very quickly. It is also important to note that just because a college is test-optional, it does not always mean that it is optional for you/your child if GPA is low based on the MA state college admissions standards.
Click HERE to register. Click HERE to find and view seat availability for an SAT test location. The Attleboro zip code is 02703. Click HERE for SAT practice exams. Click HERE for more info about SAT fee waivers.
Bridgewater State University College Fair - Reminder
The AHS Guidance Dept. will be sponsoring a trip to the Bridgewater State NEACAC College Fair on May 30 to see approximately 130 colleges and universities. The tentative plan is to leave at 8:15 AM and return by 11:00 AM. This will be at no cost to students. Space is limited, but AVA juniors are encouraged to join! If interested, please register HERE as soon as possible. If you are a parent or guardian interested in being a chaperone, please contact Ms. Little at jlittle@attleboroschools.com.
Bristol Community College On-Site Day
Last call (for real)! We still have some seats open for the BCC On-site Admissions Day on campus on April 29th, so any AVA seniors thinking about BCC should sign up HERE asap. You will need to complete the BCC application before April 27th, and it only takes about 5 minutes, so please click HERE to do so. This is a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with BCC staff, so we strongly encourage AVA seniors to take advantage!
Financial Aid Night
AVA Seniors and families - mark your calendars for April 8th! The AHS Guidance Dept. will be tentatively holding its spring financial aid night this evening. There will be help desks for FAFSA completion, as well as presentations from MEFA and on Understanding Award Packages for families who've applied to colleges and received financial aid letters. Free dinner will be provided! Virtual help is possible; just email Ms Nellie ahead of time!
Financial Aid + Scholarship Reminder
Once again, college-bound and trade-focused seniors and families should now be focusing on financial aid and scholarships. To that end, it is imperative to:
1) Complete the FAFSA (before each school's priority deadline ideally) - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open. Everything needed can be done 100% onilne. Class of 2026 will complete the FAFSA 2026-2027 form. Be sure to first create an FSA ID if you do not have one. Students and at least one parent must each create an individual FSA ID in order to digially sign and complete the FAFSA. Email Ms Nellie with any questions or for support.
2) Apply for Scholarships - In preparing scholarship applications, it is helpful to have a resume started. If you do not currently have one, here is a template you can use. Please make a copy and fill in your information. Attleboro Scholarship info is as follows:
2a) The Attleboro High School General Scholarship Application is now online for seniors to complete. ALL college-bound and trade-focused seniors are strongly encouraged to complete this form. Students must be logged into their APS email account to complete the application. This one application serves as the application to several different scholarships. Application deadline is March 20, 2026. If you experience any technical difficulties with the form, please contact Gina Spencer at gspencer@attleboroschools.com.
2b) The Attleboro Scholarship Foundation general application, loan application and all of their individual scholarship applications are all online this year. Their general application serves multiple scholarships, and, like above, there are separate applications for certain awards. All of these can be found on the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation website. Please note, you must create an account as a first step in the process.
2c) Paper-only Scholarships - The following are Attleboro Foundation scholarships that are only available on paper. Scanned digital copies are below and must be either returned completed and emailed (with digital scans) to Ms Nellie or mailed to the listed address. Please ask any questions to Ms Nellie!
Alpha Delta Kappa (must pursue K-12 education)
Duane Lockard (must be minority student)
Rachel Branagan (must submit short creative fiction story)
As always, please feel free to email me (nng@attleboroschools.com) with any questions, comments, or concerns. Have a safe and restful weekend!
Bridgewater State University College Fair - Reminder
The AHS Guidance Dept. will be sponsoring a trip to the Bridgewater State NEACAC College Fair on May 30 to see approximately 130 colleges and universities. The tentative plan is to leave at 8:15 AM and return by 11:00 AM. This will be at no cost to students. Space is limited, but AVA juniors are encouraged to join! If interested, please register HERE as soon as possible. If you are a parent or guardian interested in being a chaperone, please contact Ms. Little at jlittle@attleboroschools.com.
Bristol Community College On-Site Day
Last call (for real)! We still have some seats open for the BCC On-site Admissions Day on campus on April 29th, so any AVA seniors thinking about BCC should sign up HERE asap. You will need to complete the BCC application before April 27th, and it only takes about 5 minutes, so please click HERE to do so. This is a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with BCC staff, so we strongly encourage AVA seniors to take advantage!
Financial Aid Night
AVA Seniors and families - mark your calendars for April 8th! The AHS Guidance Dept. will be tentatively holding its spring financial aid night this evening. There will be help desks for FAFSA completion, as well as presentations from MEFA and on Understanding Award Packages for families who've applied to colleges and received financial aid letters. Free dinner will be provided! Virtual help is possible; just email Ms Nellie ahead of time!
Financial Aid + Scholarship Reminder
Once again, college-bound and trade-focused seniors and families should now be focusing on financial aid and scholarships. To that end, it is imperative to:
1) Complete the FAFSA (before each school's priority deadline ideally) - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open. Everything needed can be done 100% onilne. Class of 2026 will complete the FAFSA 2026-2027 form. Be sure to first create an FSA ID if you do not have one. Students and at least one parent must each create an individual FSA ID in order to digially sign and complete the FAFSA. Email Ms Nellie with any questions or for support.
2) Apply for Scholarships - In preparing scholarship applications, it is helpful to have a resume started. If you do not currently have one, here is a template you can use. Please make a copy and fill in your information. Attleboro Scholarship info is as follows:
2a) The Attleboro High School General Scholarship Application is now online for seniors to complete. ALL college-bound and trade-focused seniors are strongly encouraged to complete this form. Students must be logged into their APS email account to complete the application. This one application serves as the application to several different scholarships. Application deadline is March 20, 2026. If you experience any technical difficulties with the form, please contact Gina Spencer at gspencer@attleboroschools.com.
2b) The Attleboro Scholarship Foundation general application, loan application and all of their individual scholarship applications are all online this year. Their general application serves multiple scholarships, and, like above, there are separate applications for certain awards. All of these can be found on the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation website. Please note, you must create an account as a first step in the process.
2c) Paper-only Scholarships - The following are Attleboro Foundation scholarships that are only available on paper. Scanned digital copies are below and must be either returned completed and emailed (with digital scans) to Ms Nellie or mailed to the listed address. Please ask any questions to Ms Nellie!
Alpha Delta Kappa (must pursue K-12 education)
Duane Lockard (must be minority student)
Rachel Branagan (must submit short creative fiction story)
As always, please feel free to email me (nng@attleboroschools.com) with any questions, comments, or concerns. Have a safe and restful weekend!
Community Updates
WELCOME CENTER UPDATE
Kindergarten Information Night
Do you know anyone with school age children ready for Kindergarten for next year? The Attleboro Public Schools is pleased to host Kindergarten Information Night on March 5, 2026, at 6PM. This evening provides families with information on how to enroll a student in Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Early Learning Center parents should attend to receive information for the next steps in the ELC to Kindergarten process. View this interactive map to find your neighborhood school for the 2026-2027 school year.
Contact or visit the Welcome Center for access to Community Resources, Community Flyers, and support for all things APS.
Important Dates
Friday, March 13
- 1/2 Day for Students, Professional Development
Friday, March 20
- 1/2 Day for Students, End of Trimester 2
Monday, March 23
- Trimester 3 Begins
The Attleboro Public Schools does not, in any education program or activity that it operates, discriminate or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race*, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, religion, disability, age, genetic-information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related condition, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, immigration status, or any category protected by state or federal law. The Attleboro Public School District prohibits sex discrimination. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the District’s Civil Rights and/or Title IX Coordinators. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.attleboroschools.com.
*race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles.