If you plan to apply to college, learn the ropes by taking an FPC Workshop this summer. Sign up here.
The FPC will host Coffee & College Questions virtually from 9:00 AM to 10:00AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Sign up for a Coffee & College Questions session here!

MS. MAGGIE KRAUSS
College & Career Advisor
Ms. Krauss works with students with the last names A-L. Before starting at Spring-Ford in December 2021, Miss Krauss spent six years working in college admissions. She worked at both Alvernia University and Ursinus College. Her admission experience includes application review, interviews, scholarship review, and financial aid assistance. She is looking forward to meeting you and helping you as you prepare for life after Spring-Ford!

MRS. MARISSA SUSSMAN
College & Career Advisor
Mrs. Sussman works with students with last names that begin with letters M-Z. Before starting at Spring-Ford in November of 2016, Mrs. Sussman worked as an Admission Counselor for both Cabrini University and Gwynedd Mercy University. Her admission experience includes application review, interviews, scholarship review, and financial aid assistance. She is excited to help you as you plan out your future!
MRS. TACY VALENTEEN
Secretary
Mrs. Valenteen joined the Future Planning Center team in January 2022. She is here to support the advisors as well as to assist students with scheduling appointments and registering for events. Although Mrs. Valenteen is new to the FPC, she has worked at the high school since August 1999. She welcomes the opportunity to be part of the upbeat atmosphere of the FPC!
About the FPC
The Future Planning Center (FPC) is a college and career resource center for Spring-Ford students and parents. Information on the following items can be found at the FPC: colleges/universities, the college admissions process, standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, and ACT), financial aid, majors, careers, and military options. The FPC is outfitted with desktop computers for students to access Naviance and Smart Futures to research careers, majors, and colleges. During senior year, students may use these computers to complete online admissions applications and other pertinent college forms. College & Career Advisors provide individualized assistance with post-secondary planning. The advisors work closely with the school counselors to ensure students have the support they need to move toward their goals. Advisors also serve as the primary liaisons between the high school and representatives from colleges, businesses and the military. Students and parents are encouraged to take advantage of FPC services.
Log into Canvas
Click here for Skyward Access.
Volunteering
2021-2022 Calendar
2022-2023 Calendar
Log into Canvas
Click here for Skyward Access.
Volunteering
2021-2022 Calendar
2022-2023 Calendar
Senior Resources
Hey Seniors! This tab is just for you and your families! This year is going to fly by, but you have a lot to do before you graduate. We hope that you will use the resources provided here to take those last few steps towards making your future goals a reality!
- FPC Events for Seniors
- Dual Enrollment- MCCC & Arcadia
- College in High School- University of Pittsburgh
- PLTW
- Options for Life After Spring-Ford
- The College Search
- Applying to College
- Military Resources
- Career Resources
- Naviance
- College Testing Information
- Video Tutorials
- Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources
- College Athletics
FPC Events for Seniors
AUGUST |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
8/23 & 8/24/2021 | DE Registration Day |
Beat the rush! Sign up here to register for your MCCC in-house dual enrollment course with the FPC before school starts! Students will not be permitted to have open campus until they are completely registered for their dual enrollment course with MCCC. Sign up for an appointment HERE! |
Varies | Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
8/28/2021 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register at collegeboard.org. | 7:30am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
SEPTEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
9/8/2021 | Senior Parent FPC Night | The FPC welcomes all parents of seniors to join us for a presentation on the college/career search, application timeline/procedures, and how to use Naviance. Students are also welcome to attend. Bring your questions! | 6:30pm |
10-12 Auditorium
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9/11/2021 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org. | 7:30am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
9/16/2021 | College Essay Writing Workshop
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Sign up to reserve a spot HERE | Future Planning Center | |||||||||||
9/22/2021 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | 10-12 Gymnasium | ||||||||||
9/30/2021 | PHEAA Financial Aid Information Presentation | Not sure how you are going to afford college? Are you afraid to fill out the FAFSA? This program is for you! Our state financial aid expert will teach you everything you need to know about financial aid. Bring your questions! | 6:30pm | 10-12 Auditorium | ||||||||||
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
10/2/2021 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on collegeboard.org. | 7:30am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
10/5/2021 | MCCC Information Session | Thinking Community College? Not sure where to start? Join us for an information session by Montgomery County Community College to learn more! | TBD | Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
10/15/2021 | MCCC Application Day | Ready to apply to Montgomery County Community College? Montgomery County Community College will be at Spring-Ford helping students complete their applications. Sign up in the FPC! | All Day | Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
10/28/2021 | Kutztown Instant Decision Day
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Get accepted on the spot! Sign up to participate in this Instant Decision Day in the FPC.
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By Appointment- Link is forthcoming. |
Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
NOVEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
11/3/2021 | FAFSA Completion Workshop | Need help with your FAFSA? Then sign up for a time to fill out your FAFSA with the FPC and financial aid officers from MCCC. | 6:00pm (link available soon) | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
11/22/2021 |
Complete Your Apps By Thanksgiving Event |
We highly encourage students to complete their applications before the Thanksgiving holiday. For this reason, the FPC will be open ALL DAY the first day of Thanksgiving break. We encourage students to "pop-in" to work on their applications, get feedback on their essays, get their application questions answered, apply for financial aid, or any part of the application process. No sign up necessary! | 7:00 am- 8:00 pm | Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
DECEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
12/11/2021 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org.
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7:30am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
FEBRUARY |
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Date | Event | Event Details | Time | Location | ||||||||||
2/24/2022 | ASVAB Testing at Spring-Ford | Thinking military? Not sure what career you are suited for? Take the ASVAB! More information is available at asvabprogram.com. You can also prepare for the ASVAB at March2Success.com. Sign up here! | 7:40 am | Wrestling Gym | ||||||||||
MARCH |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
ALL MONTH | CAREER MONTH
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All month long the FPC will be hosting a number of different career speakers, workshops, fairs, and evening programs! Career Month speaker schedule will be released in February. |
Future Planning Center | |||||||||||
3/10/2022 | MCCC Orientation |
Are you attending MCCC after graduation? If so, this meeting is for you! You will get MCCC Placement Testing test prep information, learn about the steps you need before attending MCCC, schedule your placement test, and schedule your registration. |
Sign up in the FPC in February | Future Planning Center | ||||||||||
3/12/2022 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on collegeboard.org. | 7:30 am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
3/23/2022 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | 10-12 Gymnasium | ||||||||||
3/31/2022 | MCCC Placement Testing | MCCC will be doing placement testing this year. More details to come. | All Day (sign up in the FPC in March) | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
APRIL |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
4/2/2022 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org. | 7:30 am | Senior Wing | ||||||||||
4/21/2022 | MCCC Orientation | Are you planning to attend Montgomery County Community College this fall? This field trip will let you tour campus, meet with your academic advisers to schedule classes, get your MCCC photo ID taken, and more! Sign ups will be available after placement testing in March. | 9:00 am | Montgomery County Community College | ||||||||||
4/29/2022 | Decision Day!! | Join us as we celebrate the future plans of the senior class! | TBD | McNelly Stadium | ||||||||||
MAY |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
5/2 - 5/13/2022 | AP Exams | Registration for AP Tests is not yet available. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center | ||||||||||
5/17-5/20/2022 | AP Make-Up Testing | All Make-Up AP Tests must be scheduled with Mrs. Sussman directly. | All Day | 10-12 Center
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JUNE |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||||||||||
TBD | Graduation | Congrats to Class of 2022! | 7:00pm | McNelly Stadium | ||||||||||
Dual Enrollment- MCCC & Arcadia
Dual Enrollment Courses are a unique opportunity to preview college level instruction while still in high school. This will not only help students be more successful in their first year of college, but it also has the potential to save students money by allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school.
MCCC @ Pottstown: Registration instructions have been sent through Skyward. Registration is due by Friday, June 11.
Arcadia: Registration is due by the end of the school year. See registration instructions here.
College in High School- University of Pittsburgh
Spring-Ford is excited to announce a new dual enrollment partnership with the University of Pittsburgh for the 2021-2022 school year for students in French IV, French V, AP French, and AP Psychology!
Want to know more? Read all the details here!
Need to know how to register? See all instructions here!
PLTW
RIT CREDIT for PLTW
Did you know that you could get college credits for your Project Lead the Way courses?
- Letter from Dr. Colyer explaining this unique opportunity
- 2021 Registration Form for RIT/PLTW Credits
More information about the RIT-PLTW connection is available at: https://www.rit.edu/emcs/pltw/. Information on other PLTW college connections and opportunities is available at: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-oppor...
PLTW + AP Recognition
Did you know that PLTW students can be recognized for their hard work in AP and PLTW classes completed during high school?
More information about PLTW+ AP Recognition can be found at: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/ap-pltw
Options for Life After Spring-Ford
What will you do after you graduate Spring-Ford? It is a great time to start making plans and setting goals for yourself. Here are some great resources to get you started:
- Meet with a College or Military Rep: The FPC hosts college and military reps in the FPC throughout the year. You can see who is coming and sign up on Naviance.
- Meet with your College Career Advisors: Stop by the FPC to set up an appointment and talk about all your options.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
The College Search
Wondering how to find the "perfect" college? Here are some tips to help you with the search:
Getting Started:
- Try out the Super Match College Search: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will allow you to select all the things your dream college would have (activities, location, size, setting, majors, etc.) and it will generate a list of colleges you may like based on those factors.
- Add colleges to your "Colleges I'm Thinking About" list: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will help you get organized and give you some great information on the colleges you are considering. Click on the graphing tool next to each colleges to see what type of students that college has accepted from Spring-Ford in the past.
- Visit the College: The best way to get to know a college is by visiting campus. We recommend that you do a formal visit by scheduling a tour or registering for an open house with the Admission Office. Many colleges have moved to online scheduling, so check the college website or give the admission office a call! If there is something specific you would like to see or someone specific you would like to meet while you are there, make sure you request that with plenty of notice. The best time to visit is while college classes are in session. You can find more tips on what to expect and recommended questions to ask during a meeting with your College and Career Advisor.
- Meet with a College Rep: Many colleges will visit Spring-Ford either for the College & Career Fair or for a day visit. You can check the "FPC Events for Seniors" section of this page to see when the next fair will be or you can sign up to meet with a college rep during the school day on Naviance under the "College" tab. Meeting with someone from the college in person is a great way to get a feel for what the college is like and to get your questions about the college answered without having to visit.
- Do Online Research: Visit the website of each of your colleges and maybe take a look at their social media pages too. Look around to see what current students are doing, activities are available, majors you can choose from, and don't forget to stop by the admission page while you are there! It is important to stay on top of deadlines and admission requirements for each college because many colleges will require different things. Don't miss out on your dream college or a great scholarship because you missed a deadline!
3 Factors of Your Best Fit College:
1. Academic Fit: This is why you are going to college! Make sure that the college offers the academic program you need to set you up for your future career. You can determine if a school is a good academic fit by meeting faculty members for your major, checking out the classrooms/labs/facilities for your major, asking about student research/internship/co-op opportunities for students with your major. Not sure what you'll major in? Find out what the opportunities the college offers to students who are undecided.
2. Social Fit: This is going to be your home for the next 4 years! Do you like the campus? Have you tried the food? Would you want to be friends with the people you see walking around on campus? Does the school offer the clubs, sports, music programs, etc. that you want? The more comfortable you feel on campus, the more likely you are to take academic risks and get involved. You will build up your resume without even realizing it!
3. Financial Fit: For some families this may feel like the biggest factor of the three and for good reason! College is expensive! When searching for a college, we recommend that students apply to both expensive and inexpensive schools because sometimes those expensive schools offer the most free money to our students. Each school will provide students with a financial aid package after the student has been accepted. This will break down the entire cost of the college and what types of scholarships, grants, and student loans that are being offered. Students should review their financial aid package before committing to a college.
Applying to College
Senior To Do List:
1. Finalize your list of colleges, research the application requirements, research the deadlines. You can build on your current list by using the Super Match Search Tool in Naviance.
2. Counselor recommendation requests can no longer be made through Naviance. If your college requires a letter of recommendation from your school counselor, you must make that request here:
Dr. Cetera’s Counselor Recommendation Form (A-L)
Mrs. Johnston’s Counselor Recommendation Form (M-Z)
PLEASE NOTE: Students who already completed their counselor recommendation survey in Naviance do not need to use the forms above. Your counselor is already working on your letter of recommendation. You can find a list of all students who already completed their survey here.
3. Turn in your signed Parent Release of Records to the FPC- We cannot send any transcripts without this signed and returned!
4. Complete your college applications (either on commonapp.org or the individual college's website). This will most likely include an essay. It is a good idea to have someone read over it before submitting it.
5. If you use the Common Application you MUST link your common app to Naviance. Check out the Match Your Common App to Naviance Tutorial (link available soon) for instructions.
6. Add your colleges to the "colleges I'm applying to" link (only after completing your application). This is where you can request transcripts. If you do not see an option to request transcripts, you skipped #3 on this list!! We need 10 School Days to process these requests! Check out the Sending Transcripts Tutorial (link available soon) for more instructions.
**If you are applying to a self-reporting school, request a copy of your unofficial transcript to make self-reporting easier:
Unofficial Transcript Request Form
7. Add teacher and counselor recommendation requests at the bottom of the "colleges I'm applying to" tab. Check out the Letter of Recommendation Tutorial (link available soon) for more instructions.
8. Request SAT/ACT scores to be sent (collegeboard.org or act.org). These will not be listed on your transcript. Check out the Sending and Viewing Sent Test Scores Tutorial for more instructions.
Military Resources
Considering a military career? You have a lot of options to consider:
Which Branch?
How would you like to serve?
- ROTC: Army, Air Force, Navy
- Military Academies: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy
- Reserves: Army Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, National Guard
- Active Duty: Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
Don't forget to take the ASVAB!
- See sample questions on the ASVAB here.
- Spring-Ford will host the ASVABs at no cost to students in February each year.
Have you ever considered a career in Military Social Work?
Military service members, veterans and their families have special needs that may necessitate working with a social worker. For example, military personnel may be dealing with psychological and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially if they have been fighting on the front lines of war. Families of veterans may be struggling with domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse or suicide. Military social workers must be prepared for the complexity that comes with treating both active-duty and civilian clients who are part of military culture. Learn more about this program here!
Contact a Recruiter Today:
- Army- SSgt Nathan Bellardini
- Marines- SGT Brandon Sanzone
- Air Force- SSgt Terrence Paton
- Navy- Petty Officer Candida Reyes
- National Guard- SSgt Michael Coletta
- Coast Guard- SSG Brian Armstrong
Career Resources
Searching for the perfect job/career is a life long journey for some people. It's important that you start your search now! Here are a few resources to help you with your search:
- Smart Futures: You can access Smart Futures through Clever. In Smart Futures you can take personality and interest quizzes to help you identify careers that may be a good fit for you. It is also a great resource to learn more about careers you considering.
- Career Interest Profiler: This is a 180 question quiz found under the "Career" tab in Naviance. It will help you determine what careers fit your personality. When you get your results, remember they are listed in order of the amount of preparation. The jobs at the top of the list will be jobs you can do with little to no preparation while the jobs at the bottom may require a master or doctoral degree.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
- O*Net Online: This is a government database of careers. This will allow you to search for careers you are thinking about and see what that job entails, what education you would need, and even the average salary.
- Job Corps: Not sure what to do after graduation? Why not take advantage of this free job training program available to young adults ages 16-24.
Thinking about a career in the trades? You may want to further your education before you get started. Check out these somewhat local and affordable options:
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology: Co-Ed trade school with housing in Lancaster, PA that offers very generous need based awards.
- Williamson College of the Trades: Very structured, all boys college located in Media, PA that offers a free education to accepted students.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology: Co-Ed college located in Williamsport, PA that offers 2 and 4 year degrees in a number of trade and technology related fields.
- Montgomery County Community College: Offers certificate and 2 year degree programs for many different careers like realty, medical assistance, culinary, and more.
- Northampton Community College: Offers many certificate and 2 year degree programs as well as housing to those who choose to attend.
Naviance
You must now access Naviance through your Clever account. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Spring-Ford.net
- Hover over “Student” in the top right corner
- Select “Clever Login”
- Select “Log In With Active Directory”- if it asks for a username/password, use your Spring-Ford District Login
- Once in Clever, click on the Naviance icon
Want more information about Clever? Click here!
College Testing Information
The SATs and ACTs are two different college entrance exam options that are considered equally for college admission.
- Practice on Khan Academy: This site will allow you to link to your College Board Account to get free, tailored SAT practice.
- Practice on March 2 Success: This site has partnered with Petersons to provide ASVAB, SAT, and ACT prep.
- Take a Prep Course: Prep courses are offered locally by Montgomery County Community College, Penn State Berks, Kaplan, and Catalyst offers a bootcamp at Spring-Ford.
- Get a Practice Book: Free practice books are available in the FPC.
- Download the App: Get free practice questions and test prep on your phone.
To Register:
- SAT: collegeboard.org
- ACT: act.org
To Send Scores:
- Scores must be sent by the testing agency (College Board or ACT). Requests to have scores sent to different colleges can be processed online. Students can send scores to four schools for free if they request to send the scores during registration or within a week of the test.
- For more instructions, check out the Sending and Viewing Sent Scores Tutorial.
Video Tutorials
Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources
Not sure you can afford college? There are many ways to make college financially affordable:
2021-22 Financial Aid Night Resources
- 2021-22 Financial Aid Presentation
- PA Student Aid Guide
- PA Grant Brochure
- FSA ID Brochure
- FAFSA Tip Sheet
- Scholarship Tip Sheet
- PA Forward Loan Brochure
- PA Forward vs Parent Plus Brochure
- Private Student Loan Brochure
FAFSA
- FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a government form used to determine a family's need based on prior prior year tax information.
- Each college that students list on the FAFSA will use the financial information provided to create a financial aid package that breaks down all the aid available for the student at that institution as well as the final cost of attendance.
- This form also qualifies every student to receive a Stafford Loan which is a student loan completely in the student's name.
- The FAFSA becomes available each year on October 1 on fafsa.ed.gov
- WARNING: Do not fall victim to a scam site that asks for credit card information or requires you to pay a fee to fill out the form!
- WARNING: Do not fill out the FAFSA before October 1 of the student's senior year!
- Curious about how much you may qualify for? Each college is required to have a net price calculator on their website for families to estimate the cost of attendance for each school.
- Be on the look out for priority FAFSA filing dates! Some schools will give more financial aid to students who file by this date.
PA State Grant
- The PA State Grant is FREE money available to PA state residents who demonstrate financial need and attend a college in Pennsylvania.
- The absolute last day to apply for the PA State Grant is May 1 of the student's senior year.
- Students will be linked to the PA State Grant Form from the FAFSA, but if you missed it, you can still fill it out here.
Outside Scholarships
- These are scholarships that are awarded by businesses and community organizations for students to use towards any college.
- Here are some of our favorite sites:
Apply for Spring-Ford Scholarships
2022 Spring-Ford Scholarship Applications:
- Spring-Ford Scholarship "Common App" - Complete this form once to put yourself in the running for several local scholarships including Barbara Karwoski Scholarship, Raymond "Bear" Kodish Gold Card Scholarship, Alfred A. Panfile Memorial Scholarship (Diamond Credit Union), etc.
*The other available local scholarships are listed below. Each of these has its own specific application form and must be applied for separately.
Scholarships from Spring-Ford Organizations:
- Booster Club Scholarships: For a student athlete who exhibits high moral character, citizenship, and integrity- must have membership senior year to apply.
- Spring-Ford Alumni Scholarship: For a student showing Ram Pride by involving themselves in the SF community and who is planning to advance their education.
- Spring-Ford Education Association Scholarship: Students who are furthering their studies in the field of Education.
- Spring-Ford Educational Foundation: All Spring-Ford students who plan to further their education (2 or 4 year) are eligible to apply.
- Spring-Ford Youth Lacrosse Scholarship: A senior that is a current member of the Spring-Ford men’s high school lacrosse team or can show proof of playing in the Spring-Ford Youth Lacrosse program for 4 or more years, that is going to further his education.
Scholarships from Spring-Ford Elementary Schools:
(Students must have attended the elementary school for at least one year. You may only apply to one of the elementary school scholarships.)
- Brooke Elementary Scholarship
- Oaks Elementary Scholarship
- Upper Providence Elementary Scholarship
- Evans Elementary Scholarship
- Spring City Elementary Hybrid Learning School Staff Scholarship
- Limerick Elementary Scholarship
- Royersford Elementary Scholarship
Scholarships from very generous members of the Spring-Ford Community:
- Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce: For a student continuing their education who has been involved in student activities in their community.
- Gulati Family Foundation Scholarship: For a student with high classroom achievement through hard work and dedication, have been community volunteers, and excelled in athletics.
- Julianne Leigh Siller Scholarship (password: GoRams2022): For a student who exhibits a positive and compassionate attitude towards others while overcoming a personal or academic obstacle.
- Nurse Laura Murphy Scholarship: For a student who is a graduate of both Evans Elementary and Spring-Ford High School who is pursuing a BS in Nursing.
- Ronald B. Clark Memorial Scholarship: For a senior baseball player who is planning to attend college.
- Conor McKenna Courage Award: For a student who has overcome a significant event, situation, or disease and has used what was learned to move forward.
- Steve Bonetz Memorial Award: For a senior who has actively participated in the Spring-Ford broadcasting program and has a passion to pursue a career in TV or Film.
- Foreign Language Awards: In memory of Zach Stewart and Judy Wambold for students who exhibit excellence in foreign languages.
- Corrine Strong Unbreakable Spirit Award: For an inspirational athlete who plans to pursue a career in the medical field and displays outstanding spirit both in and out of the classroom.
- Shane Warfel Memorial Scholarship: For a special athlete and person who can be described as dependable, respectful, determined, and humble and has exemplified leadership, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
- Glaser Family Scholarship: For a student pursing a major in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or the sciences.
- Domin Family Color Guard Scholarship: For a student who has shown leadership, tenacity, and personal growth while being a member of the Spring-Ford Color Guard.
- Warrior Scholarship: For a student who has plans to make a difference in the world through their study of genetics, medicine and/or therapies for rare disease.
- Hoffman Passionate Senior Scholarship: For a student who has excelled academically, participated in Spring-Ford extracurriculars, and demonstrated a clear passion for an activity or hobby.
- Royersford Lions Club: For a student who demonstrates outstanding community service.
- Future Einsteins Scholarship: For a student who has shown exemplary commitment to giving back to their community and is pursuing a degree in the scientific field.
- Dayna Lynn Sperring Scholarship: For a student pursuing a four year degree in Nursing or Early Childhood Education.
- Democratic Public Educations Award: For a senior who has demonstrated both civic engagement and tenacity in pursuit of learning.
- DS Pool Service Trade Industry Scholarship: Awarded to a senior who is planning on pursuing a trade at a technical school or school.
- Building Blocks for Success Scholarship: For a deserving student whose educational success has been enhanced by Spring-Ford's Special Education program.
Need-Based Grant:
- Buckwalter Grant (must complete the CSS Profile to be eligible- see FPC for assistance)
College Athletics
Interested in playing sports in college at the DI or DII level? There are a few things you need to do:
- Review the NCAA Guidelines outlined on pages 9-12 of the 2021-22 Course Book.
- Complete the Spring-Ford Student-Athlete Identification Form and turn it into the FPC.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Send your official SAT/ACT scores to the Eligibility Center through the testing agency (College Board or ACT) using the CEEB Code 9999.
- Be sure to list Spring-Ford as your high school when you register with the Eligibility Center. As long as we are listed as your school, we will automatically upload your junior transcript at the end of junior year and your final transcript after graduation.
Junior Resources
Hey Juniors! This section is just for you and your families. Senior year is just around the corner, so we hope you will use the resources available in this tab to get prepared.
- FPC Events for Juniors
- AP & Dual Enrollment
- PLTW
- Naviance
- PSATs for Juniors
- College Testing Information
- Options for Life After Spring-Ford
- The College Search
- Career Resources
- Military Resources
- College Athletics
FPC Events for Juniors
AUGUST |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
8/28/2021 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register at collegeboard.org. Before registering for this test, check out the "College Testing Information" section below. | 7:30am | TBD | ||
SEPTEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
9/11/2021 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org. Before registering for this test, check out the "College Testing Information" section below.
|
7:30am | TBD | ||
9/22/2021 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | 10-12 Gymnasium | ||
OCTOBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
10/2/2021 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford |
Students must register on collegeboard.org. Before registering for this test, check out the "College Testing Information" section below. |
7:30am | TBD | ||
10/13/2021 | PSAT Testing | Juniors interested in taking the PSATs must register here by 9/16! Juniors would want to take the PSAT to either practice for the SAT or compete for the National Merit Scholarship. More information about the National Merit Scholarship Competition can be found here! | 7:40am | TBD | ||
NOVEMBER |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
TBD | AP Test Registration Deadline | REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON | By 11:59pm | Online | ||
TBD | FPC Parent Meetings | The FPC will be open for additional parent meetings the night of parent-teacher conferences. Sign ups will open in late October. *Please contact Mrs. Iannetta directly for appointments during normal evening hours. |
||||
DECEMBER |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
12/15/2021 | Being Competitive in Highly Selective Admission | Are you interested in applying to colleges/universities that accept less than 30% of applicants? This program is designed to help you gain perspective on what those colleges/universities will want to see in an applicant. | 2:30pm | Hurda Learning Center | ||
12/11/2021 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org. Before registering for this test, check out the "College Testing Information" section below. | 7:30am | TBD | ||
JANUARY |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
1/19/2022 | Junior Parent FPC Night | The FPC welcomes all parents of juniors to come out and learn about the college/career search, admission timeline/procedures, and how to navigate Naviance. Students are also welcome to attend. Bring your questions! | 6:30pm | TBD | ||
1/27/2022 | AP/DE Information Night | Both parents and students are encouraged to come out for this event to learn more about AP and Dual Enrollment offerings at Spring-Ford before scheduling classes. | 6:30pm | TBD | ||
FEBRUARY |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Details | Time | Location | ||
2/24/2022 | ASVAB Testing at Spring-Ford | Thinking military? Not sure what career you are suited for? Take the ASVAB! More information is available at asvabprogram.com. You can also prepare for the ASVAB at March2Success.com. Complete this permission slip and turn it into the FPC by 2/20! | 7:40 am | TBD | ||
MARCH |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
ALL MONTH | CAREER MONTH
|
All month long the FPC will be hosting a number of different career speakers, workshops, fairs, and evening programs! Career Month speaker schedule will be released in February.
|
Varies | Varies | ||
3/12/2022 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on collegeboard.org. | 7:30am | TBD | ||
3/23/2022 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | TBD | ||
APRIL |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
4/2/2022 | ACT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register on act.org.
|
7:30 am | TBD | ||
4/5-4/6/2022 | Financial Reality Fair | All juniors will participate in the Financial Reality Fair during their social studies classes. The fair is set up like a giant game of life where students will use predicted salaries and educational loans to create a budget for their future life.
|
All Day | TBD | ||
4/21/2022 | MCCC Field Trip | Are you planning to attend Montgomery County Community College this fall? Explore their campus alongside seniors who will be attending next fall to get a better idea of what to expect next year. | TBD | Montgomery County Community College's Blue Bell Campus | ||
MAY |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
5/2-5/13/2022 | AP Exams | Registration for AP Tests is not yet available. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center | ||
5/17-5/20/2022 | AP Make-Up Testing | All Make-Up AP Tests must be scheduled with Mrs. Sussman directly. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center
|
||
JUNE |
||||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location | ||
6/4/2022 | SAT Testing at Spring-Ford | Students must register at collegeboard.org. | 7:30am | Senior Wing | ||
AP & Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment Courses are a unique opportunity to preview college level instruction while still in high school. This will not only help students be more successful in their first year of college, but it also has the potential to save students money by allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school.
Students taking dual enrollment courses will need the following information:
- Important Dates: These dates are ONLY FOR students taking classes at MCCC, you should mark these dates on the calendar.
- Registration Instructions:These instructions are ONLY FOR students taking MCCC classes at Spring-Ford.
- Attendance Permission Form: This form can only be obtained in the FPC after successfully completing course registration with MCCC or Arcadia. This form must be signed by a parent and returned to the 12th Grade House Office for students to be permitted to arrive late/leave early on days when a dual credit course is not meeting.
- Dual Enrollment Meeting Presentation:This is the PowerPoint that was presented during the mandatory dual enrollment meeting on the first day of school.
Considering AP or Dual Enrollment for next year?
Spring-Ford works with both Montgomery County Community College and Arcadia University to offer our students unique course offerings and the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. If you have been considering dual enrollment courses, take the next step and come to the informational meeting on AP and Dual Enrollment opportunities at Spring-Ford held every year in January. The 2021 AP & Dual Enrollment Night was held on January 27, 2021.
Helpful Information:
- 2021-22 Course Selection Book: This will provide you with course descriptions for all classes including the dual enrollment offerings.
- AP & Dual Enrollment Night Presentation: If you couldn't make it to the AP & Dual Enrollment Night, you can see what you missed here.
- 2021 AP Overview Handout: This handout provides details on AP Course offerings and the benefits of the AP Program.
PLTW
RIT CREDIT for PLTW
Did you know that you could get college credits for your Project Lead the Way courses?
- Getting RIT College Credits for PLTW Courses
- Letter from Dr. Colyer explaining this unique opportunity
More information about the RIT-PLTW connection is available at: https://www.rit.edu/emcs/pltw/. Information on other PLTW college connections and opportunities is available at: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-oppor...
PLTW + AP Recognition
Did you know that PLTW students can be recognized for their hard work in AP and PLTW classes completed during high school?
More information about PLTW+ AP Recognition can be found at: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/ap-pltw
Naviance
Naviance is an essential college and career planning tool that all Spring-Ford students have access to use. You must now access Naviance through your Clever account. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Spring-Ford.net
- Hover over “Student” in the top right corner
- Select “Clever Login”
- Select “Log In With Active Directory”- if it asks for a username/password, use your Spring-Ford District Login
- Once in Clever, click on the Naviance icon
Want more information about Clever? Click here!
PSATs for Juniors
Spring-Ford is excited to announce that once again we will offer juniors the opportunity to take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) test this fall on October 13, 2021. Please note that College Board will not allow make-up or last testing due to test security.
Students may want to test in their junior year because it:
- Prepares students for the SAT by helping students identify target areas for improvement. Please note that this test is taken for practice and colleges do not require PSAT scores for admission.
- Is required to compete for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (details about the scholarship can be found at www.nationalmerit.org).
How to register:
- Click here to complete the online registration form.
- Pay the $19 testing fee by debit card, credit card, check, or money order. All payments must be made through School Pay. Students who participate in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program will qualify for a fee waiver from College Board (built into online registration).
- Print or save the confirmation page as proof of registration.
- All registrations must be received by Sunday, September 12 at 11:59pm.
On test day:
- Be on time! Testing will begin promptly at 7:40am. College Board prohibits make-up or late testing due to testing security.
- Don’t schedule any doctor appointments for this day! Testing will take at least 4 hours. Students who must leave early will not be given time to make up the time they miss and scores will be cancelled.
- Bring 2 number two pencils. Students cannot use mechanical pencils for the PSATs.
- Bring an approved calculator for the math section. A list of approved calculators can be found here.
- Be prepared! Practice books are available in the FPC for no additional cost and will be distributed to registered students during homeroom.
College Testing Information
The SATs and ACTs are two different college entrance exam options that are considered equally for college admission. Highly selective colleges may also require students to take SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT II tests).
Testing Recommendations:
- All students interested in going to college should take SATs and/or ACTs in junior year.
- There is a good amount of Algebra II on the exams. If you are currently in Algebra II, we recommend you test later in the spring. If you have already completed Algebra II, you can test at any time.
- Students should try both the SAT and ACT to determine which test they like better and results in a better score. We then recommend that students take that test at least once more to get their best possible score.
- Three seems to be the magic number of times a student should take the SATs or ACTs. After three testings (without some sort of extra preparation like a prep course) scores will begin to plateau.
To Prepare:
- Practice on Khan Academy: This site will allow you to link to your College Board Account to get free, tailored SAT practice.
- Practice on March 2 Success: This site has partnered with Petersons to provide ASVAB, SAT, and ACT
- Take a Prep Course: Prep courses are offered locally by Montgomery County Community College, Penn State Berks, Kaplan, and Catalyst offers a bootcamp at Spring-Ford.
- Get a Practice Book: Free practice books are available in the FPC.
- Download the App: Get free practice questions and test prep on your phone.
To Register:
- SAT: collegeboard.org
- SAT Subject Tests: collegeboard.org
- ACT: act.org
To Send Scores:
- Scores must be sent by the testing agency (College Board or ACT). Requests to have scores sent to different colleges can be processed online. Students can send scores to four schools for free if they request to send the scores during registration or within a week of the test.
- For more instructions, check out the Sending and Viewing Sent Scores Tutorial.
Options for Life After Spring-Ford
What will you do after you graduate Spring-Ford? It is a great time to start making plans and setting goals for yourself. Here are some great resources to get you started:
- Meet with a College or Military Rep: The FPC hosts college and military reps in the FPC throughout the year. You can see who is coming and sign up on Naviance.
- Meet with your College and Career Advisors: Stop by the FPC to set up an appointment and talk about all your options.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
The College Search
Wondering how to find the "perfect" college? Here are some tips to help you with the search:
Getting Started:
- Try out the Super Match College Search: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will allow you to select all the things your dream college would have (activities, location, size, setting, majors, etc.) and it will generate a list of colleges you may like based on those factors.
- Add colleges to your "Colleges I'm Thinking About" list: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will help you get organized and give you some great information on the colleges you are considering. Click on the graphing tool next to each colleges to see what type of students that college has accepted from Spring-Ford in the past.
- Visit the College: The best way to get to know a college is by visiting campus. We recommend that you do a formal visit by scheduling a tour or registering for an open house with the Admission Office. Many colleges have moved to online scheduling, so check the college website or give the admission office a call! If there is something specific you would like to see or someone specific you would like to meet while you are there, make sure you request that with plenty of notice. The best time to visit is while college classes are in session. You can find more tips on what to expect and recommended questions to ask during a meeting with your College and Career Advisor.
- Meet with a College Rep: Many colleges will visit Spring-Ford either for the College & Career Fair or for a day visit. You can check the "FPC Events for Juniors" section of this page to see when the next fair will be or you can sign up to meet with a college rep during the school day on Naviance under the "College" tab. Meeting with someone from the college in person is a great way to get a feel for what the college is like and to get your questions about the college answered without having to visit.
- Do Online Research: Visit the website of each of your colleges and maybe take a look at their social media pages too. Look around to see what current students are doing, activities are available, majors you can choose from, and don't forget to stop by the admission page while you are there! It is important to stay on top of deadlines and admission requirements for each college because many colleges will require different things. Don't miss out on your dream college or a great scholarship because you missed a deadline!
3 Factors of Your Best Fit College:
1. Academic Fit: This is why you are going to college! Make sure that the college offers the academic program you need to set you up for your future career. You can determine if a school is a good academic fit by meeting faculty members for your major, checking out the classrooms/labs/facilities for your major, asking about student research/internship/co-op opportunities for students with your major. Not sure what you'll major in? Find out what the opportunities the college offers to students who are undecided.
2. Social Fit: This is going to be your home for the next 4 years! Do you like the campus? Have you tried the food? Would you want to be friends with the people you see walking around on campus? Does the school offer the clubs, sports, music programs, etc. that you want? The more comfortable you feel on campus, the more likely you are to take academic risks and get involved. You will build up your resume without even realizing it!
3. Financial Fit: For some families this may feel like the biggest factor of the three and for good reason! College is expensive! When searching for a college, we recommend that students apply to both expensive and inexpensive schools because sometimes those expensive schools offer the most free money to our students. Each school will provide students with a financial aid package after the student has been accepted. This will break down the entire cost of the college and what types of scholarships, grants, and student loans that are being offered. Students should review their financial aid package before committing to a college.
Career Resources
Searching for the perfect job/career is a life long journey for some people. It's important that you start your search now! Here are a few resources to help you with your search:
- Career Interest Profiler: This is a 180 question quiz found under the "Career" tab in Naviance. It will help you determine what careers fit your personality. When you get your results, remember they are listed in order of the amount of preparation. The jobs at the top of the list will be jobs you can do with little to no preparation while the jobs at the bottom may require a master or doctoral degree.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
- O*Net Online: This is a government database of careers. This will allow you to search for careers you are thinking about and see what that job entails, what education you would need, and even the average salary.
- Job Corps: Not sure what to do after graduation? Why not take advantage of this free job training program available to young adults ages 16-24.
Thinking about a career in the trades? You may want to further your education before you get started. Check out these somewhat local and affordable options:
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology: Co-Ed trade school with housing in Lancaster, PA that offers very generous need based awards.
- Williamson College of the Trades: Very structured, all boys college located in Media, PA that offers a free education to accepted students.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology: Co-Ed college located in Williamsport, PA that offers 2 and 4 year degrees in a number of trade and technology related fields.
- Empire Beauty School: Multiple locations with two within an hour radius of Spring-ford. This school offers a number of different cosmetology certifications.
- The Professional Salon Academy: Conveniently located in Collegeville, PA. This school offers a number of different cosmetology certifications.
- Montgomery County Community College: Offers certificate and 2 year degree programs for many different careers like realty, medical assistance, culinary, and more.
- Northampton Community College: Offers many certificate and 2 year degree programs as well as housing who choose to attend.
Military Resources
Considering a military career? You have a lot of options to consider:
Which Branch?
How would you like to serve?
- ROTC: Army, Air Force, Navy
- Military Academies: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy
- Reserves: Army Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, National Guard
- Active Duty: Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
Don't forget to take the ASVAB!
- See sample questions on the ASVAB here.
- Spring-Ford will host the ASVABs for free on Thursday, February 25 (must sign up ahead of time)
Have you ever considered a career in Military Social Work?
Military service members, veterans and their families have special needs that may necessitate working with a social worker. For example, military personnel may be dealing with psychological and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially if they have been fighting on the front lines of war. Families of veterans may be struggling with domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse or suicide. Military social workers must be prepared for the complexity that comes with treating both active-duty and civilian clients who are part of military culture. Learn more about this program here!
Contact a Recruiter Today:
- Army- SSGT Nathan Bellardini
- Marines- SGT Brandon Sanzone
- Air Force- SSGT Terrence Paton
- Navy- Petty Officer Candida Reyes
- National Guard- SSG Michael Coletta
- Coast Guard- SSG Brian Armstrong
College Athletics
Interested in playing sports in college at the DI or DII level? There are a few things you need to do:
- Review the NCAA Guidelines outlined on pages 9-12 of the 2021-22 Course Book.
- Complete the Spring-Ford Student-Athlete Identification Form and turn it into the FPC.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Send your official SAT/ACT scores to the Eligibility Center through the testing agency (College Board or ACT) using the CEEB Code 9999.
- Be sure to list Spring-Ford as your high school when you register with the Eligibility Center. As long as we are listed as your school, we will automatically upload your junior transcript at the end of junior year and your final transcript after graduation.
Sophomore Resources
Hey Sophomores! This page is just for you and your families! We hope you will use the resources on this page to help you take those next few steps towards reaching your goals for life after graduation. Keep up the hard work because you are almost halfway there!
- FPC Events for Sophomores
- Naviance
- Exploring Careers/Majors
- Options for Life After Spring-Ford
- PSATs
- Consider AP & Dual Enrollment Courses
- PLTW
- The College Search
- Military Resources
- College Athletics
- HOBY Leadership Seminar
FPC Events for Sophomores
SEPTEMBER |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
OCTOBER |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
10/13/2021 | PSAT Testing | No need to register- Spring-Ford pays for every sophomore student to take the PSAT test. Taking this exam is a great way to practice for the SATs and it will also tell us which AP courses students will be successful taking. | 7:40am | TBD |
NOVEMBER |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
TBD | AP Test Registration Deadline | Registration Link Coming Soon! | By 11:59pm | Online Registration |
TBD | FPC Parent Meetings | The FPC will be open for additional parent meetings the night of parent-teacher conferences. Sign ups will open in late October. *Please contact Mrs. Iannetta directly for appointments during normal evening hours. |
Future Planning Center | |
DECEMBER |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
12/15/2021 | Being Competitive in Highly Selective Admission | Are you interested in applying to colleges/universities that accept less than 30% of applicants? This program is designed to help you gain perspective on what those colleges/universities will want to see in an applicant. | 2:30pm | Hurda Learning Center |
JANUARY |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
1/26/2022 | AP Information Night | Both parents and students are encouraged to come out for this event to learn more about AP offerings at Spring-Ford before scheduling classes. | 6:30pm | 10-12 Auditorium |
1/27/2022 | Dual Enrollment Information Night | Both parents and students are encouraged to come out for this event to learn more about Dual Enrollment offerings at Spring-Ford before scheduling classes. | 6:30pm | 10-12 Auditorium |
FEBRUARY |
||||
Date | Event | Event Details | Time | Location |
2/16/2022 | Sophomore Parent FPC Night |
The FPC welcomes all parents of sophomores to come out and learn about the college/career search, admission timeline/procedures, and how to navigate Naviance. Students are also welcome to attend. Bring your questions! |
7:00pm | TBD |
2/24/2022 | ASVAB Testing at Spring-Ford | Thinking military? Not sure what career you are suited for? Take the ASVAB! More information is available at asvabprogram.com. You can also prepare for the ASVAB at March2Success.com. | 7:40 am | TBD |
MARCH |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
ALL MONTH | CAREER MONTH
|
All month long the FPC will be hosting a number of different career speakers, workshops, fairs, and evening programs! Career Month speaker schedule will be released in February.
|
Varies | Varies |
3/23/2022 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | Gymnasium |
MAY |
||||
Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
5/2/-5/13/2022 | AP Exams | Registration for AP Tests is not yet available. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center |
5/17/-5/20/2022 | AP Make-Up Testing | All Make-Up AP Tests must be scheduled with Mrs. Sussman directly. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center
|
Naviance
Naviance is an essential college and career planning tool that all Spring-Ford students have access to use. You must now access Naviance through your Clever account. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Spring-Ford.net
- Hover over “Student” in the top right corner
- Select “Clever Login”
- Select “Log In With Active Directory”- if it asks for a username/password, use your Spring-Ford District Login
- Once in Clever, click on the Naviance icon
Want more information about Clever? Click here!
Exploring Careers/Majors
Trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life can be a daunting task for a person at any age. We encourage students to start their career exploration early to make the process easier.
Helpful Resources:
- Career Interest Profiler: Take this easy 180 question quiz found under the "Career" tab in Naviance. This quiz will give you a list of careers that you may like based on your interest. Remember when you get the list, it is in order of the amount of preparation for each career- NOT by which career fits you best. If you are considering college, you will want to scroll down to the "considerable preparation" and "extensive preparation" sections of the list.
- MyMajors.com: Know you want to go to college? Take a quiz to see which major fits your interests the best?
- O*Net Online: Already have a career in mind? O*Net Online is a database occupations and has detailed descriptions of almost every job out there. In addition to job descriptions, it even tells you what level of education you need for each job and the average salary.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
Explore Careers Beyond Your Computer:
- Talk to the adults in your life! Ask you neighbor, aunt, uncle, parent's friend, etc. if they like their jobs, what they majored in, where they went to college, and if they like what they do.
- Volunteer! A great way to explore career options is by getting hands on experience volunteering for a closely related organization or business.
- Get a part-time job! Depending on what career you are thinking about, you may be able to get a part-time job as an assistant for that line of work. For instance, if you think you may want to work in a salon, you could probably make some extra cash while you explore your career options by working as a salon assistant.
- Take a class that relates to your career interests! Spring-Ford offers a variety of career focused classes like accounting, management, education, criminal justice, international studies, athletic training, biomedical sciences, engineering, etc. This can be a great way to test if this is an area you would want to spend your college years studying.
Options for Life After Spring-Ford
What will you do after you graduate Spring-Ford? It is never too early to start making plans and setting goals for yourself. Here are some great resources to get you started:
- Explore Naviance: Did you know Naviance has a Career Profiler that can help you find careers that fit your interest? Did you now that it has a Super Match College Search to help you find your dream college? Utilize all these great tools as you try to find the right path for your future!
- Meet with your College and Career Advisor: Stop by the FPC to set up an appointment and talk about all your options.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
PSATs
The PSATs are a Preliminary SAT that helps students identify areas of strength and weakness before taking the real SAT that will be used during the college application process.
Fast Facts on PSATs:
- Sophomores will take the PSAT at Spring-Ford for free in October. Sophomores do not need to register to take this exam.
- PSATs are not scores on the same scale as the SATs. The SATs are scored out of 1600 points and the PSATs are scores out of 1520 points.
- Detailed score reporting is available online for all students who take the PSATs. Score reports will be available on CollegeBoard.org in December. For help understanding your scores, check out this PSAT 10 Understanding Scores Packet.
- Students who test well on the PSAT as a sophomore should consider taking the PSATs again as a junior to compete in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Details on the National Merit Scholarship can be found here.
- Students who do not test well on the PSAT should consider doing some prep work on Khan Academy. After score reports are available, students are encouraged to link their College Board account with Khan Academy to get free, tailored practice for the SATs based on their PSAT scores.
- Students who do not test well on the PSAT may want to consider taking the PSAT again in junior year for more practice. While the PSAT is offered at no cost for sophomores, juniors must pay to register for the PSATs.
Be Prepared on Test Day:
- Be on time! Testing will begin promptly at 7:40am. College Board prohibits make-up or late testing due to testing security.
- Don’t schedule any doctor appointments for this day! Testing will take at least 4 hours. Students who must leave early will not be given time to make up the time they miss and scores will be cancelled.
- Bring 2 number two pencils. Students cannot use mechanical pencils for the PSATs.
- Bring an approved calculator for the math section. A list of approved calculators can be found here.
- Be prepared! Practice books are available in the FPC for no additional cost and will be distributed to registered students during homeroom.
Consider AP & Dual Enrollment Courses
Spring-Ford works with both Montgomery County Community College and Arcadia University to offer our students unique course offerings and the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. If you have been considering dual enrollment courses, take the next step and come to the informational meeting on AP & Dual Enrollment opportunities at Spring-Ford held every year in January.
Helpful Information:
- 2021-22 Course Selection Book: This will provide you with course descriptions for all classes including the AP & Dual Enrollment offerings.
- AP & Dual Enrollment Night Presentation: If you couldn't make it to the AP & Dual Enrollment Night, you can see what you missed here.
- 2021 AP Overview Handout: This handout provides details on AP Course offerings and the benefits of the AP Program.
PLTW
RIT CREDIT for PLTW
Did you know that you could get college credits for your Project Lead the Way courses?
- Getting RIT College Credits for PLTW Courses
- Letter from Dr. Colyer explaining this unique opportunity
- 2021 Registration Form for RIT/PLTW Credits
More information about the RIT-PLTW connection is available at: https://www.rit.edu/emcs/pltw/. Information on other PLTW college connections and opportunities is available at: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-oppor...
PLTW + AP Recognition
Did you know that PLTW students can be recognized for their hard work in AP and PLTW classes completed during high school?
More information about PLTW+ AP Recognition can be found at: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/ap-pltw
The College Search
Wondering how to find the "perfect" college? Here are some tips to help you with the search:
Getting Started:
- Try out the Super Match College Search: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will allow you to select all the things your dream college would have (activities, location, size, setting, majors, etc.) and it will generate a list of colleges you may like based on those factors.
- Add colleges to your "Colleges I'm Thinking About" list: This tool can be found under the "Colleges" tab in Naviance. It will help you get organized and give you some great information on the colleges you are considering. Click on the graphing tool next to each colleges to see what type of students that college has accepted from Spring-Ford in the past.
- Visit the College: The best way to get to know a college is by visiting campus. We recommend that you do a formal visit by scheduling a tour or registering for an open house with the Admission Office. Many colleges have moved to online scheduling, so check the college website or give the admission office a call! If there is something specific you would like to see or someone specific you would like to meet while you are there, make sure you request that with plenty of notice. The best time to visit is while college classes are in session. You can find more tips on what to expect and recommended questions to ask during a a meeting with your College and Career Advisor.
- Meet with a College Rep in the spring: Many colleges will visit Spring-Ford either for the College & Career Fair or for a day visit. You can check the "FPC Events for Sophomores" section of this page to see when the next fair will be or in the spring you can sign up to meet with a college rep during the school day on Naviance under the "College" tab. Meeting with someone from the college in person is a great way to get a feel for what the college is like and to get your questions about the college answered without having to visit.
- Do Online Research: Visit the website of each of your colleges and maybe take a look at their social media pages too. Look around to see what current students are doing, activities are available, majors you can choose from, and don't forget to stop by the admission page while you are there! It is important to stay on top of deadlines and admission requirements for each college because many colleges will require different things. Don't miss out on your dream college or a great scholarship because you missed a deadline!
3 Factors of Your Best Fit College:
1. Academic Fit: This is why you are going to college! Make sure that the college offers the academic program you need to set you up for your future career. You can determine if a school is a good academic fit by meeting faculty members for your major, checking out the classrooms/labs/facilities for your major, asking about student research/internship/co-op opportunities for students with your major. Not sure what you'll major in? Find out what the opportunities the college offers to students who are undecided.
2. Social Fit: This is going to be your home for the next 4 years! Do you like the campus? Have you tried the food? Would you want to be friends with the people you see walking around on campus? Does the school offer the clubs, sports, music programs, etc. that you want? The more comfortable you feel on campus, the more likely you are to take academic risks and get involved. You will build up your resume without even realizing it!
3. Financial Fit: For some families this may feel like the biggest factor of the three and for good reason! College is expensive! When searching for a college, we recommend that students apply to both expensive and inexpensive schools because sometimes those expensive schools offer the most free money to our students. Each school will provide students with a financial aid package after the student has been accepted. This will break down the entire cost of the college and what types of scholarships, grants, and student loans that are being offered. Students should review their financial aid package before committing to a college.
Military Resources
Considering a military career? You have a lot of options to consider:
Which Branch?
How would you like to serve?
- ROTC: Army, Air Force, Navy
- Military Academies: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy
- Reserves: Army Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, National Guard
- Active Duty: Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
Don't forget to take the ASVAB!
- Study for the ASVAB here
- Spring-Ford will host the ASVABs for free each February during the school day.
Have you ever considered a career in Military Social Work?
Military service members, veterans and their families have special needs that may necessitate working with a social worker. For example, military personnel may be dealing with psychological and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially if they have been fighting on the front lines of war. Families of veterans may be struggling with domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse or suicide. Military social workers must be prepared for the complexity that comes with treating both active-duty and civilian clients who are part of military culture. Learn more about this program here!
Contact a Recruiter Today:
- Army- SGT Nathan Bellardini
- Marines- SGT Brandon Sanzone
- Air Force- SSGT Terrence Paton
- Navy- Petty Officer Candida Reyes
- National Guard- SSG Michael Coletta
- Coast Guard- SSG Brian Armstrong
College Athletics
Interested in playing sports in college at the DI or DII level? There are a few things you need to do:
- Review the NCAA Guidelines outlined on pages 9-12 of the 2021-22 Course Book.
- Complete the Spring-Ford Student-Athlete Identification Form and turn it into the FPC.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Send your official SAT/ACT scores to the Eligibility Center through the testing agency (College Board or ACT) using the CEEB Code 9999.
- Be sure to list Spring-Ford as your high school when you register with the Eligibility Center. As long as we are listed as your school, we will automatically upload your junior transcript at the end of junior year and your final transcript after graduation.
HOBY Leadership Seminar
HOBY's flagship program is the State Leadership Seminar. This seminar allows high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them in becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community. Students attend three- or four-day seminars and participate in hands-on leadership activities, meet leaders in their state, and explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to make a positive impact in their community. The seminar curriculum is based on the Social Change Model of Leadership and develops leadership from three perspectives: Personal Leadership, Group Leadership, and Leadership for Society.
Freshman Resources
Hey Freshmen! This tab was created just for you and your families! Now that you are officially a high school student, everything you do from now until graduation will count when applying for colleges, careers, and even military opportunities. Now is the time to set some goals for yourself and start taking the first steps towards acheiving them.
- Freshmen FPC Events
- Naviance
- Starting Your Major/Career Search
- Looking Ahead: College
- Looking Ahead: Military
- Consider AP Courses
- PLTW
- College Athletics
Freshmen FPC Events
SEPTEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
OCTOBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
NOVEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
TBD | AP Test Registration | REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON |
By 11:59pm | Online Registration |
DECEMBER |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
12/9/2021 | Being Competitive in Highly Selective Admission | Are you interested in applying to colleges/universities that accept less than 30% of applicants? This program is designed to help you gain perspective on what those colleges/universities will want to see in an applicant. | 2:30pm | Hurda Learning Center |
JANUARY |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
1/26/2022 | AP Information Night | Both parents and students are encouraged to come out for this event to learn more about AP offerings at Spring-Ford before scheduling classes. | 6:30pm | Auditorium |
1/27/2022 | Dual Enrollment Information Night | Both parents and students are encouraged to come out for this event to learn more about Dual Enrollment offerings at Spring-Ford before scheduling classes. | 6:30pm | Auditorium |
FEBRUARY |
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Date | Event | Event Details | Time | Location |
MARCH |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
3/23/2022 | College & Career Fair | Each year over 80 different college, military, and career reps come to Spring-Ford to meet with our students! Come out to get your questions answered and learn about some new post-secondary options. | 6:00pm | TBD |
MAY |
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Date | Event | Event Description | Time | Location |
5/2-5/13/2022 | AP Exams | Registration for AP Tests is not yet available. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center |
5/17-5/20/2022 | AP Make-Up Testing | All Make-Up AP Tests must be scheduled with Mrs. Sussman directly. | All Day | 9th Grade Center & 10-12 Center
|
Naviance
Naviance is an essential college and career planning tool that all Spring-Ford students have access to use. You must now access Naviance through your Clever account. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Spring-Ford.net
- Hover over “Student” in the top right corner
- Select “Clever Login”
- Select “Log In With Active Directory”- if it asks for a username/password, use your Spring-Ford District Login
- Once in Clever, click on the Naviance icon
Want more information about Clever? Click here!
Starting Your Major/Career Search
Trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life can be a daunting task for a person at any age. We encourage students to start their career exploration early to make the process easier.
Helpful Resources:
- Career Interest Profiler: Take this easy 180 question quiz found under the "Career" tab in Naviance. This quiz will give you a list of careers that you may like based on your interest. Remember when you get the list, it is in order of the amount of preparation for each career- NOT by which career fits you best. If you are considering college, you will want to scroll down to the "considerable preparation" and "extensive preparation" sections of the list.
- MyMajors.com: Know you want to go to college? Take a quiz to see which major fits your interests the best?
- O*Net Online: Already have a career in mind? O*Net Online is a database occupations and has detailed descriptions of almost every job out there. In addition to job descriptions, it even tells you what level of education you need for each job and the average salary.
- Pennsylvania Career Guide: Published by the Department of Labor & Industry, this guide is packed with great information on a variety of different careers and resources to help with your career search.
Explore Careers Beyond Your Computer:
- Talk to the adults in your life! Ask you neighbor, aunt, uncle, parent's friend, etc. if they like their jobs, what they majored in, where they went to college, and if they like what they do.
- Volunteer! A great way to explore career options is by getting hands on experience volunteering for a closely related organization or business.
- Take a class that relates to your career interests! Spring-Ford offers a variety of career focused classes like accounting, management, education, criminal justice, international studies, athletic training, biomedical sciences, engineering, etc. This can be a great way to test if this is an area you would want to spend your college years studying.
Looking Ahead: College
You are just starting out at the high school, but some of you may already be thinking about your next step. Looking ahead is a great way to make sure you are working towards meeting all the requirements you would need to get into college.
Planning Ahead:
- Do a preliminary college search: Use tools under the "College" tab in Naviance such as the College Match or Super Match College Search to start checking out colleges. Add any colleges that stand out to your "Colleges I'm Thinking About" list in Naviance.
- Check out the college admission website: Look to see what the average student looks like for each college. Colleges will look at what students have accomplished in grades 9-11 with little input from senior year. As a freshman you can set yourself up to be the ideal applicant before you even start the application. Look for things like average GPA, average SAT/ACT score (are they test optional?), and special course requirements. For instance, colleges in the states of South Carolina and California both require that students take at least one art class while in high school. Doing a little research now will help make sure you are prepared!
- Attend the Spring-Ford College & Career Fair: This is a great way to be introduced to colleges you had never heard of and hear what colleges are looking for directly from the source.
- Talk to your school counselor: If you want to talk to someone about your search or have questions about what lies ahead, head over to the office to make an appointment with your school counselor.
Looking Ahead: Military
Considering a military career? You have a lot of options to consider:
Which Branch?
How would you like to serve?
- ROTC: Army, Air Force, Navy
- Military Academies: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy
- Reserves: Army Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, National Guard
- Active Duty: Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
Don't forget to take the ASVAB!
- See sample questions for the ASVAB here
- Spring-Ford will host the ASVABs for free
Have you ever considered a career in Military Social Work?
Military service members, veterans and their families have special needs that may necessitate working with a social worker. For example, military personnel may be dealing with psychological and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially if they have been fighting on the front lines of war. Families of veterans may be struggling with domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse or suicide. Military social workers must be prepared for the complexity that comes with treating both active-duty and civilian clients who are part of military culture. Learn more about this program here!
Contact a Recruiter Today:
- Army- SGT Dartanyun D. Harvey
- Marines- SSGT Johnathan Morris
- Air Force- TSGT Bradly Lucas
- Navy- Petty Officer Vivian Roberts
- National Guard- SSG Charles Bundy
- Coast Guard- SSG Brian Armstrong
Consider AP Courses
Spring-Ford offers 26 different AP Course options for students. Students may want to take AP Courses to challenge themselves with college level coursework, to make themselves more competitive for college admission, or to save money by potentially earning college credit. If you have been considering AP Courses, take the next step and come to the informational meeting on AP & Dual Enrollment opportunities at Spring-Ford held every year in January. The 2017-18 AP & Dual Enrollment Night was be held on Wednesday, January 17.
Helpful Information:
- 2018-19 Course Selection Book: This will provide you with course descriptions for all classes including the all AP Course offerings.
- AP & Dual Enrollment Night Presentation: If you couldn't make it to the AP & Dual Enrollment Night, you can see what you missed here.
- 2017 AP Overview Handout: This handout provides details on AP Course offerings and the benefits of the AP Program.
PLTW
RIT CREDIT for PLTW
Did you know that you could get college credits for your Project Lead the Way courses?
- Getting RIT College Credits for PLTW Courses
- Letter from Dr. Colyer explaining this unique opportunity
More information about the RIT-PLTW connection is available at: https://www.rit.edu/emcs/pltw/. Information on other PLTW college connections and opportunities is available at: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-oppor...
PLTW + AP Recognition
Did you know that PLTW students can be recognized for their hard work in AP and PLTW classes completed during high school?
More information about PLTW+ AP Recognition can be found at: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/ap-pltw
College Athletics
Interested in playing sports in college at the DI or DII level? There are a few things you need to do:
- Review the NCAA Guidelines outlined on pages 6-9 of the 2021-22 Course Book.
- Complete the Spring-Ford Student-Athlete Identification Form and turn it into the FPC.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Send your official SAT/ACT scores to the Eligibility Center through the testing agency (College Board or ACT) using the CEEB Code 9999.
- Be sure to list Spring-Ford as your high school when you register with the Eligibility Center. As long as we are listed as your school, we will automatically upload your junior transcript at the end of junior year and your final transcript after graduation.
FPC HOURS
Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
*Evening hours available by appointment only
CONTACT
Maggie Krauss
College & Career Advisor
email: mkrau@spring-ford.net
phone: 610 705 6001 x 2503
Marissa Sussman
College & Career Advisor
email: msuss@spring-ford.net
phone: 610 705 6001 x 2508
Tacy Valenteen
Future Planning Center Secretary
email: tvale@spring-ford.net
phone: 610 705 6001 x 2565