Counselors Newsletter

https://app.smore.com/n/x8swd

Seniors it is that time of year to verify names for diploma's. Click on the links below and follow the instructions in the video.

1 - A device that they have made sure can be used for the test. There are no devices to be loaned from the test center.
2 - An Admission ticket. You must have a paper/printed admission ticket for the ACT. A printed or an electronic ticket may be used for the SAT.
3 - A hard plastic ID card, passport, or completed ACT or SAT ID form (completed = everything filled out and it is signed/notarized). School ID must show the current year. State federal ID must be valid on the test date.

ACT requires device readiness checks on all testing devices 2 to 4 weeks prior to testing. Examinees will be responsible for performing device readiness on their laptops. ACT describes the readiness process and current Device Readiness Cutoff Date at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/gateway-test-center-resources.html.

The 2026 Georgia Scholar Program application window will open January 1 and close March 1, 2026. Georgia public- and private-school seniors who meet all program criteria are eligible to apply. These criteria are established in state law, and no exceptions can be made. The application, detailed program criteria, and application guidance brochure are found on the Georgia Scholar webpage linked below.

Additional Information: Georgia Scholar Webpage

Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Contact: Arlecia Brooks, arlecia.brooks@doe.k12.ga.us

Georgia students are invited to participate in the 8th Annual Greater Atlanta College Fair on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at South Gwinnett High School. This statewide, free event provides an opportunity for students and parents to meet with HBCU admissions and financial aid counselors from across the country. We encourage you to ensure students in your district have the opportunity to register and attend this year’s fair. The fair will also feature HBCU band scholarship auditions conducted by college band directors, along with essay and art contests that provide scholarship awards to the winners.

Additional Information: Student/Parent/Counselor Registration

Contact: info@hbcucf.org

Find out more about the College Fair.

The Decatur (GA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated Kappa League Mentoring Program is facilitating a FAFSA Completion Workshop on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11am at the Community Achievement Center at 4522 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur, GA 30034. This is an opportunity for 12th grade students and families to receive assistance from our Dekalb County Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) Representative Lakissa Jackson in correctly completing the 26-27 FAFSA. Students will have the opportunity to complete the 26-27 FAFSA on site. Successful completion of the FAFSA is essential to receive the maximum amount of financial aid towards college tuition. Senior High School students and families are invited to attend this session to ask questions and receive the necessary guidance to complete the FAFSA and the HOPE Scholarship Applications. Please provide the attached flyer to your 12th grade students and families that will benefit from this information. The deadline to register is January 12, 2026. Here is the link to register: https://forms.gle/rckRLvdzHbsGVFFMA

Derrick Westry, Ed.S.

Decatur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated

Guide Right/Kappa League Director

Georgia Cyber Academy Professional High School Counselor

decaturkappaleague@gmail.com

Phone: 678-663-3818

https://www.decaturkappas.org/kappa-league

https://natlkappaleague.org/

We are excited to introduce Naviance—your student’s new all-in-one command center for life after high school. Whether they are dreaming of a specific career, scouting the perfect college, or just starting to wonder "what’s next?", Naviance is the tool to get them there.

What can Naviance do?

Think of Naviance as a digital roadmap for success. It’s designed to take the guesswork out of planning by offering:

• Career Discovery: Match interests to real-world careers and post-secondary programs.

• College Research: Find the "best fit" schools based on personal goals and academic profiles.

• Goal Setting: Create personalized "Student Success Plans" and track progress through surveys.

• Application Management: (Starting with the Class of 2027) This will be the hub for tracking deadlines, building resumes, and syncing with the Common App to send transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Get Started in Minutes

Ready to see it in action? We’ve put together two quick resources to help you and your student hit the ground running:

• Watch the Teaser: Naviance Introduction for Parents/Families (Short Video)

• Deep Dive: Naviance Introduction Slides

January 12, 2026

Georgia State University

Grand Rapids (MI)

January 20, 2026

University of Arkansas

January 26, 2026

University of South Carolina, Beaufort (SC)

March 10, 2025

Xavier University (OH)

Below are the details of the 6 week SAT Prep courses starting Jan & Apr 2026.

Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.

Location: Decatur High School | 1510 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30030

Class Option 1 : Jan 31 Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 Mar 7 | 2026 for SAT Test March 14th 2026

Payment Deadline : Jan 16th

Class Option 2 : Apr 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 2026 for SAT Test June 6th 2026

Payment Deadline : Apr 11th

Schedule: Saturdays : 9 - 1 pm on each day (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)

Room: Inside New Library @ Decatur High School

Register Online for SAT Prep Class:

https://successprep.com/SAT-prep-atlanta-ga-decatur-high-school

Textbook you need to buy:

The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Edition by The College Board

Don't forget to register for the SAT Test! - http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

*Prep class fee is non-refundable after class starts, we do not offer partial refunds for class sessions a student misses. Any cancellation for refund of a prep class fee must occur 5 days before the start of that prep class, to allow for the seat to be offered to another student.

Please click on the appropriate link below to address your concern/need:

I Need A New ID

Certificate Of Enrollments (complete this form at least 1 week prior going to the DDS. Form expires 30 days after issuance)

ADAP Card Information

Portal Access Requests

Request for Google Password (email)

College Visit Form

Work Permit Process (only needed for students ages < 15)

NEW Guide to PTSA Community Service Hours

Order A Transcript (If you need a transcript mailed, please email micheal.ackley@csdecatur with student name as it appears in the portal, college/university name, college/university address)

Students when you graduate your DHS email account will be deactivated. Please use your personal email address so you will have access beyond high school.

College Admissions Accommodation Form

(Consent Form for College Admission Tests Accommodation Requests - If you have a 504 or IEP with testing accommodations, a consent form must be completed and turned in to your/your student's counselor in order for the school to request accommodations for the College Board (PSAT/AP/SAT) and ACT. Testing agencies take up to 8 weeks to process requests.)

Summer & PreCollege Programs Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: fkrkuep

Scholarships Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: 43xlcav

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10c5TZ7RZ3DjuRLXalarKAdAOKQStk5wnQNJEYxyBYN0/edit?usp=sharing

Email: rjones1@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/dhs
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170