School Counseling

If you would like to connect with your counselor, students are welcome to walk in or make an appointment by emailing either their counselor or our counseling clerk, Ms. Sarita. 

See the links below for SPPS's graduation requirements for your specific class.

SPPS Graduation Requirements

All students and families have access to UNOFFICIAL transcripts through Campus Portal.

Current seniors needing an OFFICIAL transcript will need to submit a request through Xello. Access to Xello can be found through their Clever app.

Helpful Videos:

Requesting a Transcript in Xello

Requesting a Letter of Rec in Xello

Connecting Xello to the Common App

Former students will need to contact SPPS Student Records to receive transcripts and other school records.

Check out our PSEO resources below for answers to your questions regarding PSEO! 

Highland Park PSEO Guide

PSEO Parent/Student Agreement

If you have required courses that you did not pass, students have opportunities to do credit recovery each quarter and during the summer. Connect with your counselor to make a plan for recovering those credits!

The PSAT/NMSQT is an optional test offered to 11th graders at Highland each fall. It is a preliminary-SAT that measures skills and knowledge related to college and career readiness.

*** The SAT is a separate 4-year college exam unrelated to the ACT. The ACT will be offered to juniors at Highland in March 2025.

If you are interested in taking the PSAT/NMSQT, you must complete this google form. Space is limited, so please sign up if you would like to take the test! The form will remain open until spots are filled or until September 23rd. 

Some important information: 

• The PSAT is digital and will be taken on school-issued iPads  
• Students are expected to bring their fully-charged iPad on test day  
• Students will take the test on either October 14th or October 15th and will take the majority of the school day
• There is no cost to take the test, but space is limited so please sign up if you would like to test
• More specific information about the test date will be shared after registration via email 

More extensive information about the PSAT/NMSQT can be found here

 If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kurmis.  
emily.kurmis@spps.org

Post COVID, many four-year colleges have moved to a test-optional policy in regards to requiring the ACT or SAT (national standardized college admissions examinations) as part of the application. To learn more about a specific college or university's application requirements, counselors recommend that students and families connect with the admission department of that respective institution.

Students often ask their school counselor what score they need to get in order to get into a particular college, it is not that simple.  ACT and SAT tests are one portion of an application that may include several other elements (essays, letters of recommendation, etc.) - they are important, but they are not the only thing colleges look at.  For more information on how these tests are used, please contact an admission representative at your prospective college.

Registering for the ACT/SAT
Before you register to take the ACT or SAT, first check with your prospective college(s).  Most colleges no longer have a preference between the tests, but it is always a good idea to double check.  When you register for the tests you will need to know the Highland Park Senior High school code: 242256.

Registration information can be found:

• ACT: www.actstudent.org
• SAT: www.collegeboard.com