For a top-notch education before you transition to a 4-year college, consider Antelope Valley College (AVC).  There are many programs for either a degree or certification, depending on the career you choose.

Click on the boxes to find out how to apply, check out scholarships, study for the assessments, and more!

AVC HOME  AVC Admissions AVC Palmdale AVC Scholarships  AVC BRIDGE COUNSELING                              

Honors Program  AVC Placement Procedures

BRAG SHEET

A brag sheet is used to write information about yourself that can be given to a staff member (teacher, counselor, etc), coach, club advisor, or employer when asking for a letter of recommendation.

• Download this form to your desktop, save, then complete and save again.
• Be as specific as possible.
• Save this document so you can go back to it and update it as often as necessary and print copies when needed.
• Make sure you give those you want recommendations from plenty of time to complete their letters, at least 2 weeks in advance.
• Ask them to save their recommendations for you so you may ask them for an updated reference letter in the future.

You can also find a Brag Sheet Survey in your PowerSchool account!

(Note: Beginning your Brag Sheet in 9th grade and updating it each time you have a new activity, sport or receive an award helps, because when you're a senior filling out the form for the first time, it's hard to remember all those things!)

UC Website                 UC Application Guide                  UC Personal Insight Questions

UC ACADEMIC PLANNERS - FOR STUDENTS GRADES 9-12

 UC My Academic Planner                                                                      UC Your Academic Planner

WEBSITE

Searching for colleges?  Check out the following websites!

  website

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT BEING THE FIRST…

…especially being the first in your family to attend and graduate from college. I'm First! is an online community for first-generation college students—and their supporters. Hear inspiring stories and share your own, discover colleges that care about first-gen students, find answers to your questions about college, and receive guidance on the road to and through college.

website 

Use Collegeboard's "Big Future" site to search for colleges, narrow down majors and career options, learn how to pay for college, and how to make a tangible plan. They offer information on everything from careers and majors to personal statements and financial aid. Use Big Future to prepare yourself for the road ahead!

website

~ SAT and ACT

SAT and ACT - What's the Difference?

Apply for the SAT                          SAT Test Dates 

Apply for the ACT                         ACT Test Dates

PRACTICE taking your SAT, with the FREE new app called SAT Up, at the iTunes App Store, or on Google play!

PRACTICE taking your ACT, with the FREE new app called called ACT Prep, also at the iTunes App Store, or on Google Play!

SAT

Log on to www.collegeboard.org for the closest test sites and exact dates.  You are entitled to four prepaid reports of your scores. List four colleges that you are interested in.  Each time that you have your test score sent, the college receives your most recent score and all previous scores to six SAT I and six SAT Subject tests administrations. If you don’t request that copies of your scores are sent to colleges within nine days from the time you took the test, you will have to pay $11.25 for each score report that is sent beyond those nine days.

The CEEB code (Highland School Code) is 052541.  Please remember to use this number on your applications for college admissions tests.

ACT

Log on to www.actstudent.org for the closest test sites and exact dates.  The ACT consists of tests in four academic areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning.  It is highly recommended to take the ACT with the ‘Writing’ component.  Scores are reported on a scale 1-36 for each area, plus a composite of all scores. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. (There is a penalty for incorrect answers on the SAT I and SAT Subject Tests). Students should utilize preparation materials before taking the ACT.  The ACT should be taken in the spring semester of the 11^th grade and can be taken again in September, October, or December the testings during the senior year. Most East Coast schools prefer the ACT over the SAT, but may accept either as an entrance criterion.  Since most California schools accept either, students are recommended to take both exams.  It is always a good idea to check the specific test requirements for admission to the particular college(s) you are considering.  Visit the college’s website under ‘Admissions’ for that information.

HOW AND WHEN DO I SIGN UP FOR THE SAT/ACT?

Online registration is preferred by both the ACT and SAT testing agencies. Go to sat.collegeboard.org or ACTstudent.org to register.  Be sure to print out your admission ticket and take it with you on test day, as well as a school or government photo I.D.  Paper registration (by mail) is necessary if you need to pay with a check (or money order) or cannot upload a digital photo. An admission ticket for the SAT I or SAT Subject Tests (if application is postmarked by the regular deadline) will be mailed to you before the test. Remember, the CEEB code for HHS is 052541.

FAFSA, Cal Grant and the Dream Act

Remember to file your FAFSA and Cal-Grant or Dream Act by March 3rd 2025!  The application opens in December, and parents can use their tax information from the previous year.  

CAL-GRANT OPT OUT FORMS

Per Assembly Bill (AB) 2160, all seniors will have a Cal Grant GPA submitted electronically by their high school, to the California Student Aid Commission, unless a signed Opt Out form is returned to the Guidance Office by October 1st of their senior year. Please see the English or Spanish version of this document below for more information regarding the process.

• Cal Grant Opt Out - English
• Cal Grant opt Out - Spanish

MILITARY INFORMATION:

Dept. of Defense Military Career Info www.militarycareers.com

U.S. Air Force 800-423-USAF www.airforce.com
U.S. Air Force Reserve 800-257-1212 www.afreserve.com
U.S. Air National Guard 800-TO-GO-ANG www.ang.af.mil

U.S. Army 800-USA-ARMY www.goarmy.com                                                                                                                        U.S. Army Reserve 800-USA-ARMY www.goarmy.com/usar/
U.S. Army National Guard 800-GO-GUARD www.1800goguard.com

U.S. Coast Guard 877-NOW-USCG www.gocoastguard.com
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve 800-424-8883 www.uscg.mil

U.S. Marine Corps 800-MARINES www.marines.com
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve 800-MARINES www.marines.com

U.S. Navy 800-USA-NAVY https://www.navy.mil/                                                                                                                            U.S. Navy Reserve 866-NAVRESI www.navalreserve.com

Scholarships are a great way to pay for school or to get money in your pocket. Scholarships can range from $50 - $20,000 and sometimes more. Some scholarships require an essay, but the effort is definitely worth the free money! The more scholarships you apply for, the better, because small amounts of money add up.

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS

Scholarships are supposed to be free to apply for.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there, so it's best to be prepared.  Click here for more information.

Also join our HHS Scholarship Google Classroom. Contact Mrs. Holguin at lholguin@avhsd.org for details.

The following scholarship sites are some of your best options and will aid you in your search for college cash: 

Big FutureCalifornia Colleges FastWebSallieMaeSTUDENTSCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED

GOLDEN DOOR SCHOLARSimmigrants risingmaldef

edvisorsgetschooled10000degreesscholarships

MINIMUM PROFICIENCY STANDARDS

In accordance with California Education Code, students must pass Algebra 1 or a higher-level math class in order to receive a high school diploma.

CLASSROOM CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS

1. If a student receives more than three “U” grades he/she shall be ineligible for school activities for the quarter following that grading period. There will be no makeup for the “U” in citizenship.
2. A senior must meet citizenship eligibility requirements in the final two quarters of their senior year in order to participate in graduation ceremonies. Administration reserves the right to deny participation in graduation ceremonies, per board policy, to students with significant discipline concerns.

ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES ELIGIBILITY

1. Student must have at least a “C” Grade Point Average (2.0 GPA) as of the last quarter.
2. Student must have a satisfactory citizenship grade (no more than two “U” grades) in a grading period.

ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY OR CLASS OFFICE ELIGIBILITY

1. Student must maintain a 2.5 GPA.
2. Student must have a satisfactory citizenship grade (no more than two “U” grades) in a grading period.

Here's what we mean by A - G

University of California - Subject Requirements A-G

A- History/Social Science - 2 years required Two years of history/social science, including one year of World History, Cultures and Geography; and one year of U.S. History or one-half year of U.S. History and one half year of Civics or American Government.

B- English - 4 years required Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English or no more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

C- Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 years recommended Three years of college-preparatory mathematics which include the topics covered in Elementary and Advanced Algebra and two- and three-dimensional Geometry. Approved Integrated Math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of these requirements, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

D- Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years recommended Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: Biology (which includes Anatomy, Physiology, Marine Biology, etc.), Chemistry and Physics. The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

E- Language Other than English - 2 years required, 3 years recommended Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in a language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

F- Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) - 1 year required Two semesters of approved arts courses from a single VPA discipline: Dance, Drama/Theater, Music or Visual Art.

G- College Preparatory Electives - 1 year required One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: Visual and Performing Arts (non-introductory level courses), History, Social Science, English, Advanced Mathematics, Laboratory Science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).