The Guidance and Counseling Office helps students plan their education and future, as well as helps them navigate the day-to-day challenges of high school.

As high school graduation nears, students and parents have many questions and concerns. It is extremely important for students and parents to work with their counselor. Please don’t hesitate to call the Guidance Office to make an appointment. More information for seniors and their parents.

The Naviance Family Connection is a comprehensive tool to assist students and parents with career and college planning. Learn more about Naviance

2020-2021 High School Scheduling Processes

Overview & Important Dates for Grades 9-11

• Week of January 25: Students will receive (via email) an overview of the upcoming course selection process.  
  • They will receive a copy of the elective course options available to them. 
  • They will also receive a link to the curriculum guide on the high school website
• January 29: Second Marking Period Grading Window Opens
• February 1 – 3: Marking Period Begins
• February 1 – 5: Counselor Presentations in Social Studies Classes
  • Presentations will be virtual to the entire class during the 2nd half of the instructional period
  • Students will select preliminary elective course requests via a google form (View 2021-2022 Grades 9-11 Electives List)
  • Elective choices will be finalized upon meeting with the counselor.  
  • Final course selections will be entered into ESD by the counselor
• February 4: Grading window closes
• February 12: Teacher Placement Recommendations Completed 
• February 22 – March 5: Counselors meet with grades 9 & 10 students through Social Studies Classes.
  • Social Studies teachers will be provided with a schedule for their students so they are aware of appt times. 
  • Students will login to their class as usual
  • Students will leave the SS GC and meet with their counselor via Google Meet at their scheduled appointment time. 
  • At the conclusion of their appointment, the students will return to their SS Google Classroom for the remainder of the class period. 
• February 23 – March: Counselors will meet with Juniors by appointment. Juniors and their parents/guardians will receive a letter home asking them to schedule their appt via the counselor’s calendar link that will be provided. 
• February & March: Special Education Annual Reviews will be held virtually

Overview & Important Dates: Incoming 2021-2022 Freshman

• February 3: Parent information night on transition to High School: View Incoming Freshman Parent Information night video
• February 12: Teacher Placement Recommendations Completed
• February 23: Virtual Elective Fair
• March 3: WVMS 8th Grade Presentations by HS Counselors. Students choose electives
• March 5: GWL MS 8th Grade Presentation by HS Counselors. Students choose electives
• March 8: Course Elective Selections are mailed home for review by parent/guardian
  • Review electives for incoming 2021-2022 freshman by clicking this link: 2021-2022 Freshman Electives List. 
• March 19: Elective Choices Confirmed by Parent/Guardian to MS Counselor

Work Permit Directions

College and career planning

Decision Day at WVHS!

What do you want to do after high school? Here are some resources to help you decide and plan:

• The Post Graduate Planning Guide offers great tips and information to help with your decision-making and keep you organized. The Guide includes sections on important tests, the college visit, and college application information.
• This College Planning Checklist will help you keep track of tasks, events and deadlines.
• The College Kick-Off: A Parent’s Playbook page is a great resource for helpful information.
• The Admission Game is a blog geared toward those planning to go to college and is helpful to juniors, seniors and their parents as you gear up for life after high school.
• A career doesn’t always mean completing a four-year college degree. Part of a successful career-planning strategy is to understand what excites and motivates you. Visit Career Corner to learn more.
• Go! CollegeNY takes you through the step-by-step journey to college. 

Scholarships and awards 

There are scores of local and regional scholarships and awards available to Warwick Valley seniors, and you can learn more about what’s available and how to apply on our Scholarships and Awards page.

Naviance: A College & Career Planning Resource

Naviance is a comprehensive website that students use as a tool in planning for their future. 

Beginning in grade 9, students are introduced to the Naviance suite by Counselors through lessons provided monthly in their classrooms. Students in grade 9 will typically receive an overview of the program and its capabilities, and complete some assessments that are designed to help them get to know themselves better.  

As students move through their high school career, they will complete additional assessments such as the Learning Styles Inventory, Strengths Explorer, Career Interest Surveys and many more that will help them to explore options and make a plan that is unique to their strengths, goals and aspirations.  

Historically, it is our juniors and seniors who spend the most time with this tool, because of its helpful college search and resources. Particularly for our seniors, Naviance is a critical component of the college application and scholarship process.

Naviance allows students to manage and track their applications, and works in collaboration with the Common App™ and other college application programs.

Access your Naviance account through the launchpad. Sign in using your WVCSD Google account.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Each Advanced Placement (AP) course has a corresponding exam that is administered at our school in May. The exam is a course requirement and necessary to receive an AP score from the College Board for possible college credit. Please read this important information if your student is enrolled in an AP course.

Financial Aid Night and the Financial Aid application process

• SUNY’s “Navigating the Financial Aid Process” – Scroll to bottom of page, and look under “Presentations” for “Navigating the Financial Aid Process” which includes valuable information presented during Financial Aid Night at WVHS.
• Marist College gave an informative presentation about the Financial Aid Process during Financial Aid Night at WVHS. View a summary of this presentation.
• Visit the FAFSA website: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Opportunities for student-athletes

The NCAA is a nonprofit association committed to providing opportunity for more than 460,000 student-athletes who compete annually in college sports. A commitment to academics and student-athlete success in the classroom is a vital part of the NCAA’s mission to integrate athletics into higher education.

Colleges, universities athletic conferences and other affiliated organizations are NCAA members. The NCAA national office staff in Indianapolis supports the members. 

Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center website

Resources for parents of students with disabilities

All students should leave high school prepared for living, working and future learning. In New York, there are more ways than ever for students to leave school with a meaningful credential that represents how much they’ve accomplished.

ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation assists students with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living. Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services, and should have opportunities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. 

Prepping for standardized test

The battery of standardized tests – including the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT and AP exams – require preparation.

All WVHS students in grades 10-12 have access to a free online study guide for the SAT and ACT. “PrepMe” can be accessed via a link on the student’s Naviance homepage.

Although the WVCSD does not offer test preparation courses there are many available, including:

• Kaplan Educational Services Center, Inc.
• Princeton Review
• Number2.com
• College Board
• Educational Services Center, Inc.
• Score Prep; 1-800-PREP182