St. Helena High School

To schedule an appointment with your child’s counselor, you can:

1. Call the high school office directly at (707) 967-2740.
2. Email your child’s counselor:
   1. Terri Linder, Last Names A-L:  tlinder@sthelenaunified.org
   2. Shawn Garrity, Last Names M-Z  sgarrity@sthelenaunified.org

To log in to Aeries, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Aeries Parent Portal
2. Enter your email address and password.
3. If you’re logging in for the first time, click on "Forgot Password" to reset it using the email address you registered with the school.

If you encounter issues, contact the high school’s office for assistance.

1. Obtain your unique Parent Access Code from the school.
2. Go to the Schoology website
3. Click on "Sign Up" and choose "Parent."
4. Enter the Parent Access Code, create a username and password, and complete the setup.

If you encounter issues, contact the high school’s office for assistance.

Advisory is a dedicated period once a week designed to provide students with:

• Academic support and time to work on assignments.
• Social-emotional learning activities to promote well-being.
• College and career planning resources.
• Opportunities to connect with teachers and peers in a smaller group setting.

ACCESS period is every Wednesday from 1:15 to 2:20 pm. This is an opportunity for students to meet with their teachers to receive additional class support. Students are not permitted to leave campus during this time and, if a teacher calls them into their class, their attendance is mandatory and will be counted as a cut if they do not show.

1. Contact their Counselor: The school counselor can provide support, resources, and referrals to mental health services if needed.
2. Communicate with Teachers: Teachers can provide insight into how your child is doing at school and may notice changes in behavior.
3. Access School Resources: We offer many on-campus support programs and services for students.

Your child’s well-being is a priority, and the school is here to support you and your family.

Yes! SHHS offers free after-school tutoring with an English and math teacher from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the high school library.

No, students are not required to complete community service for high school graduation. However, they are encouraged to engage in community service which provides numerous benefits for students' personal growth, academic success, and future opportunities.

Meet with the school counselor and explore options. Review the student’s transcript with the counselor to identify missing credits and create a recovery plan. Options may include:

• APEX Credit Recovery Programs: Online courses during the school day or during summer school.
• Dual Enrollment: Take college-level courses to earn both high school and college credits.
• Repeat the course the following year.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and pathways are programs designed to prepare students for specific careers or industries by providing practical, hands-on training and academic knowledge. More information can be found in the Course Catalog.

Dual Enrollment Classes allow high school students to take college-level courses and simultaneously earn high school and college credit. See the Course Catalog for a list of current dual enrollment classes and course requirements.

AP (Advanced Placement) Classes are college-level courses offered in high school, designed to prepare students for AP exams. High scores on these exams can earn college credit. See the Course Catalog for a current list of AP courses.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness program for students who show potential but need additional support to succeed. It focuses on academic skills, college preparation, and tutoring. Students are typically selected based on academic performance and potential, often with teacher recommendations and interviews. Strict eligibility guidelines are required.

A list of A-G approved courses is available in the Course Catalog. Reach out to your child’s counselor if you have questions.

Starting in March, counselors assist students in choosing classes by reviewing their academic progress, graduation requirements, and post-secondary goals. They can provide personalized guidance to ensure students select courses that align with their interests and plans.

The high school counselors assist students with college planning through various resources and activities:

• Advisory: Group sessions where counselors provide college readiness tips and guidance.
• Scoir: A platform to explore colleges and connect with resources.
• College Planning Workshops: Workshops in the junior and senior years are available to help students with applications, essays, and timelines.
• One-on-One Meetings: Personalized guidance on college options, majors, financial aid, and more.
• Parent Information Nights: Sessions to inform families about college admissions, deadlines, and financial planning.
• SAT/ PSAT:  SHHS currently offers the PSAT- 10 and PSAT/ NMSQT for free to interested students. Also, the SAT is offered during one school day in October for Seniors who need a local test site.

These tools and events ensure students and families are supported throughout the college application process.

The A-G subject requirements are a series of high school courses that students must complete to be eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. These courses ensure students are well-prepared for college-level work. Here's a breakdown of the requirements:

A – History/Social Science

Requirement: 2 years

B – English

Requirement: 4 years

C – Mathematics

Requirement: 3 years (4 years recommended) through Int. Math 3

D – Laboratory Science

Requirement: 2 years (3 years recommended)

Details: Covers biology, chemistry, and/ or physics.

E – Language Other than English

Requirement: 2 years (3 years recommended)

Details: Two years of the same foreign language.

F – Visual and Performing Arts

Requirement: 1 year

G – College-Preparatory Elective

Requirement: 1 year

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all A-G courses.

Deciding whether your child should take the SAT or ACT, and when to do so, depends on their college goals, strengths, and timeline. It is important to talk with your child’s counselor about the key differences between these exams on the importance of the test. Many colleges no longer require standardized tests. Research your child’s target schools to see if they require the SAT/ACT.

Registration Process and Timeline:

SAT:

• Register a the College Board website.
• Cost: Around $60 (fee waivers available for eligible students).
• Test Dates: Offered several times a year (typically March, May, June, August, October, November, December).

ACT:

• Register at the ACT website.
• Cost: Around $68 (or $93 with the writing section; fee waivers available).
• Test Dates: Offered several times a year (typically February, April, June, July, September, October, and December).

The high school counselors help students explore college options by discussing types like community colleges (affordable with transfer opportunities), public universities, private colleges, and trade schools. They assess students’ academic strengths, interests, and preferences to build a balanced college list (reach, match, safety schools) and explain application requirements. They also provide resources for financial aid, scholarships, and college exploration through college rep visits, fairs, and research tools, tailoring guidance to individual goals.

No, SHHS does not class rank as it better aligns with college admissions trends that focus on individual accomplishments and also prevents undue stress among students.

To play sports in college, high school athletes should focus on maintaining strong academic performance while excelling in their sport. They can start by creating a highlight reel, reaching out to college coaches, and attending recruiting events or showcases. Additionally, they should research schools that match their athletic level and academic goals, and register with the NCAA or NAIA eligibility centers if pursuing collegiate athletics at those levels. See your counselor for more information.

Our Saints Counseling Schoology page offers a variety of financial aid resources, including links to trusted platforms like Federal Student Aid and California Student Aid Commission. Counselors also suggest exploring additional options for funding your college education by researching scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans through the government.

Yes! SHHS is proud to have a strong local scholarship program. Seniors can apply for multiple scholarships using our Local Scholarship Application. Additionally, we provide monthly updates with a list of local organizations offering scholarship opportunities.