STUDENT SERVICES
"The School With A Difference, Giving Wings To The Mind ™"
Michele M. Ogburn
A key component of our school vision is the celebration of our students’ individual talents and accomplishments. For more than fifty years we have been steadfast in our approach to education. We have pride in our students and their achievements and promote them in as many ways as possible. We are advocates for our students to ensure they have academic, career, and personal/social success in their lives. Our goal is to prevent, intervene, and close achievement and opportunity gaps.
In student services, we value and respect integrity, openness, cooperation, diversity, and individual differences. Our counseling department promotes the personal, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of all ECS students. We work closely with our students and their parents to guide and empower them by connecting with a broad network of support services. Our counseling model is comprised of mentoring in the areas of academic and college advising as well as in personal growth. Elementary and middle school students’ concentrations are on developmental stages of student growth, including the needs, tasks, and personal interests related to those grades in school.
Special attention is given to the ongoing issues affecting students today, and an important focus is on the awareness of social and cultural differences in our communities. We encourage each student to embrace differences in one another and to think creatively without conventional boundaries. We want every student to feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings.
Annual academic planning for ECS students promotes and enhances student achievement. Knowledge, understanding, and skills are developed through the student’s classroom instruction, appraisal, counseling, and collaboration of faculty and counselors. With ninety-six percent of our students attending college, we believe they have been “empowered with the knowledge that there are no limits to what they can accomplish.”
Sign up for the Counselor’s Remind 101 announcements!
Grab your phone, open a new text message, and enter 81010 as “To”. Then, type @ecscou as the message you send.
Other Remind 101 groups you should join are:
ECS Parents:
@ecsparents
ECS ACT Prep:
@ecsactprep
College Admissions Test Information – ACT, SAT, and PSAT
ACT Dates for 2016-2017
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | (Late Fee Required) |
|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2016 | August 5, 2016 | August 6-19, 2016 |
| October 22, 2016 | September 16, 2016 | September 17-30, 2016 |
| December 10, 2016 | November 4, 2016 | November 5-18, 2016 |
| February 11, 2017* | January 13, 2017 | January 14-20, 2017 |
| April 8, 2017 | March 3, 2017 | March 4-17, 2017 |
| June 10, 2017 | May 5, 2017 | May 6-19, 2017 |
Would you like to register for the ACT?
CLICK HERE to create your account and register to test!
You should definitely practice – CLICK HERE to download a full-length official ACT practice test.
SAT Dates for 2016-2017
CLICK HERE to see the SAT test dates, deadlines, and subject tests available. You can also register for the test here!
CLICK HERE to practice with 4 printable official SAT practice tests.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST REGISTRATION TIPS (for both SAT and ACT):
- If you think you would qualify for extended time on the test, discuss this with Mrs. Ogburn.
- Think carefully about choosing a test site. Yes, it should be relatively close to home; however, it more important for you to choose a location free from distractions (even friends can be distractions!). You are there to take a test – it is not a social event!
- During the test administration, you cannot be seen with a cell phone at any time – not even during the break. Our best advice: leave it in the car or at home!
The ECS CEEB/ACT SCHOOL CODE is: 251-391
The National PSAT Date for Fall 2016: WEDNESDAY, October 19.
Before the test, we will mail information about the PSAT to parents of 10th and 11th grade students.
*Note: this is not a test that can be scheduled for another day or made up if you miss.
What is the PSAT/NMSQT and why do students want to take it?
CLICK HERE for the official PSAT/NMSQT flyer.
Juniors who take the PSAT
Are automatically screened for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Most colleges and universities have large scholarships for National Merit Semi-Finalists and Finalists.
Can choose to say “yes” to the Student Search Service as they fill out the answer sheet on test day. Then, they are eligible to receive information from colleges and universities looking for students with certain interests and skills.
CLICK HERE to see answers to Parents’ PSAT Frequently Asked Questions.
College Planning, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Here are links to several very helpful college funding and planning sites:
ESF Get2College Center – FREE, amazing, personalized advice to help you plan, prep, and pay for college! Call to make an appointment with their counselors BEFORE you begin applying for state or federal financial aid – trust us!
Rise Up! Mississippi – This is where you will find information about state financial aid such as the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – find out about grants, loans, and work-study fund available to students attending college or career programs.
Big Future – The College Board (makers of the SAT) website to help you find, pay, and plan for college.
Best College Fit – student-centered solutions for college planning
These are general information sites often needed by seniors during the college application process:
Common Application – apply to nearly 700 colleges with only one application.
NCAA Eligibility Center – for college-bound student-athletes
US Military – Compare Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard opportunities and careers. You can also find out more about military friendly colleges here.
Fun, Unusual, and Unique Scholarships
Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club Scholarship – $10,000 Music Scholarship
Bird Dog Foundation Essay Contest – promotes interest in wildlife conservation and related subjects. The contest deadline each year is April 15th.
Shire 2016 ADHD Scholarship Program – supporting individuals diagnosed with ADHD who are pursuing higher education.
Rise Scholarship Foundation Dyslexia Award – awarded to students with dyslexia.